Compassion and Great Leadership

With all the negative and fake news that floods into our lives, it almost seems like a miracle when something wonderful happens. In the midst of reports of bullying, harassment, and seemingly endless bad behavior comes a bright spot that is worth sharing.

My oldest grandson, Jeffrey, is about to be promoted from a Cub Scout into a Boy Scout troop. Recently, he participated in what would be his last Rain Gutter Regatta as a Cub Scout.

The Rain Gutter Regatta is a racing event for Cub Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America that is the sailboat equivalent of the pinewood derby. The sailboat kit consists of a balsa wood hull, mast, plastic sail, plastic rudder, and metal keel. Within the basic design rules, Scouts are free to paint and decorate their sailboats and sails as they choose. Modifications for speed include the placement of the keel and rudder and the size, shape and location of the sail. A catamaran is an exceptionally fast design, although this modification is not allowed in all races.

The boats are raced in a standard rain gutter that is ten feet long, placed on a table, and filled with water. The boats are then propelled by blowing on the sail, either directly or through a drinking straw; the boat cannot be touched with hands or the straw. The first boat to reach the end of the gutter is the winner. The overall winner is determined by an elimination system.

The picture is of Jeffrey, proudly displaying his boat and sail design AND his first-place medal for being the overall winner. First place!

The next morning, however, Jeffrey asked to borrow his mother’s phone so he could send a message to his Den Leader. Now Jeffrey is 10, so I left his message as he entered it (I’m not sure what excuse my adult friends have when their messages look much like Jeffrey’s).

Jeffrey

To: Seth H.

mister seth  this is me jeff I didn’t like all the unhappy faces at the meeting, I especially didn’t like niko crying so I want to give up my metal to someone who really wants it.

This is how the Den Leader responded:

Seth H.

To: Jeffrey

I want to let you know that you offering to give up your medal is one of the nicest things I’ve ever heard. It shows that you have a kind and generous heart. But I want you to keep the medal, and I’ll tell you why.

We all get to take turns winning and losing. When we win, we get to learn, and practice, how to be a gracious winner (that’s what you are). When we lose, we get to learn how to be a good sport and be happy for those that won. I think you should keep the medal. I watched all the races, and you won fair and square.

Thank you for your email. See you at the next den meeting.

Congratulations,

Mister Seth

Jeffrey is very competitive and he loves to win, but he also has a compassionate heart. At the age of ten, while being recognized and awarded first place honors, he had a heart for those around him. He understood that they did their best, but they didn’t win the medal. He understood their sadness, because he had competed for years to come in first, and until now that first-place prize had always gone to someone else. His thoughtfulness and compassion are amazing enough, but that he ACTED to make a difference makes me extremely proud that he’s my grandson!

And then there’s Mr. Seth… what a wonderful example of fine leadership! Not only does he explain winning and losing to a young Scout, but he edifies and encourages Jeffrey while leading him to a better understanding of sportsmanship and competition. To Mr. Seth, I am grateful that he is making a positive impact on our young people. And I’m sure that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of leaders like Mr. Seth that are part of Scouting, churches, and other organizations who are making the same kind of impact on our children. My prayer is that the leaders of our country, and of the world, learn from the leadership example of Mr. Seth.

Your brother in Christ,

Dave