Worth Fighting For

A beautiful example of brotherly love developed over the course of today. This morning I received a phone call from my boys’ father who lives in Florida. He’s been playing an active role in their lives since last summer and they talk to each other daily. Apparently yesterday the boys had told their father about how, according to Jacob (12), a kid at school punched him and made derogatory remarks about Nick’s (15) hair and wardrobe. During the conversation Nick told his father that he planned to basically threaten this student that if he ever touched Jacob again there would be consequences. I have no doubt that Nick was fully prepared to enforce those consequences if necessary. Under agreement with their father, I conceded not to get involved but instead to let the boys handle it themselves. I hated this idea but at the same time I understand that they must learn to fight their own battles.
As it turned out, Jacob was not punched and knowing that there would be consequences for him if he didn’t confess to this lie, Jacob rather hesitantly told me, his father and Nick that he didn’t really get punched. Nick was mad and went to his room. I don’t think Nick was so much mad about Jake lying, I think Nick was genuinely looking forward to finally pummeling someone and it worked out nicely that he had good reason for doing it. But this entire scenario has had me thinking two things today…

1. When last was someone willing to stand up and fight for me?
2. When last was I willing to stand up and fight for someone else?

…more on this tomorrow.