Friends: Here is an encouragement letter I wrote last week to a good kid I care deeply about (name withheld). Feel free to join Pam and me in prayer. - Bob

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Spirituality Column #969

June 10, 2025

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

Wild Potential

By Bob Walters

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 3:18

One of my MCA students, after a challenging school year, embarked this week on an early-summer high adventure camp with his dad to help sort things out. The California camp is heavy on family relationships and Jesus, and invites letters of encouragement from friends and influencers.  If you’ve attended the Great Banquet, you know the concept.

His mom reached out to me as one of his teachers, and here is what I wrote:

“Hey (student name),

“Mr. Walters here. You were part of that joyous 7^th grade U.S. History class three years ago when I first began teaching part-time at MCA – remember the “seven dates of World War II” and memorizing all the U.S. Presidents?  I remember little of how that classwork went but remember distinctly the respectful and kindly “vibe” of the group. And I remember well your personal politeness, sense of humor, and ready-to-help demeanor.  I appreciated it then, and throughout this past year and looking ahead at MCA, I enjoy having you in the classroom. You finished this past school year strong.

“If parts of the year were difficult for you – news flash: you will find throughout life that most years come with an assortment of loose shingles and pot-holes – your comportment (conduct) with me rarely wavered. I noticed, and respect you for that.

“As you have had these days with your dad embracing life and physical challenges in the wilds of northern California, I pray – and Mrs. Walters and I have been praying for you both all week – that you have sensed the love of your God and your family who see in you this capable and courageous, budding young man. You will grow, in the coming years, with strength you have not yet fully realized, but I see those seeds in you and I see that strength in your family. By that I mean strength of faith, strength of love, strength of purpose, and strength of wisdom.  These are gifts every adult in your life prays you will embrace, even those of us – maybe especially those of us – who get on your case every so often.

“Growing up I always hated when people said I “had potential.” I knew I did, and I knew I didn’t want to hear about it; I felt it was an uninvited expectation and an invasion of my freedom.  Only later did I learn that freedom is anchored by responsibility, and responsibility is the lifeline for unlocking whatever potential God and our families and loved ones see in us. We all see it in you, and what counts is your expectation for yourself.  God will help you with that one, and Jesus will always tell you the truth.

“Remember: God doesn’t command us for His good; God commands us for our good, to lead our lives in human joy and the peace of seeking His will and trusting His love. That’s what freedom is truly for: to know and love God, and to know and love others.

“My prayer for you, my young friend, is for you to flex your freedom and choose wisely as you navigate your talents, your interests, your strengths, your faith, and yes, your potential. I am so very thankful that I will be around these next years at MCA to get on your case about it. You are among the very good reasons I am there.

“I am also beyond thankful for this time you have shared with your dad.  May God bless you both.

“With love from your teacher, friend, and cheerleader … Mr. Walters”

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) notes that MCA is Mission Christian Academy in Fishers, Ind., where he teaches high school history and Mrs. Walters teaches English.