Taxi Man

I need to tell a little story about Justin. It will undoubtedly embarrass him, but I can't stop thinking about how much I love him for who he is. I'm also amazed at how something that was once a great annoyance to me, has grown to be so endearing.

So, once upon a time...

The guys at Fort Riley were getting a little stir crazy come Saturday night, so they decided to escape for a few hours. They only have a couple of vans available to them, so they have to share like big kids. Usually, that means someone gets stuck shuttling everyone else around.

Well, Justin and several others wanted to go to dinner and a movie, and then there were a few other groups going different places. There was one enlisted guy who declined any invitations to go, because he wanted to just stay on base and relax. So someone thought, 'hmmm...he's not doing anything...he can drive us around'. They asked him and he said sure, but Justin could tell he really didn't want to. He figured he probably felt like he couldn't say no to his superiors. Justin thought this wasn't very fair so he volunteered to skip dinner, taxi everyone to their destinations, and then meet up with his group later for the movie.

Needless to say, he missed his movie and ended up playing taxi man all night. He called me as he was driving around, and I told him he was too nice. He told me he didn't think it was fair that this other guy should shuttle everyone around, and he didn't really care anyhow because it was nice just getting off base and driving around for a while.

Anyone who knows Justin, knows this is SO true to his character. And as annoyed as I have been at times when we would hardly see him, and yet he took an extra shift to keep the peace, or volunteered to work a holiday no one else wanted, or covered for someone who had just had a baby or a family emergency...I admire this quality in him so much! He genuinely WANTS to help other people. At the same time, he has never been one to hang around socializing or wasting time when he could be home with his family. I've never known anyone who works so hard and so efficiently because despite his love for what he does...he loves his family more, and he wants to be with them.

It didn't take me long to realize that true disciples of Christ don't just serve their families--they seek opportunities to help anyone who needs help. Now, of course there has to be a balance, but I am so grateful that my children will grow up in a home where they have this living example of service to others. Justin genuinely lives by the golden rule...and not only does he live by the golden rule, but his motives are pure. Simply put...he is good. That's what I fell in love with 8 years ago...his goodness. That is why I still love him today.

good things...

1. the golden rule
2. someone who actually lives it
3. being married to said someone!