She glanced up on her way out the door.
The small plaque above showcased a simple message: “Return with Honor”.
She pondered a moment and reflected on what these words were about.
She had read them many times as she left her house to go out.
Would this phrase provide encouragement to be her very best -
to not give into temptation or be wild and careless?
Would she treat others better as a result of this admonition
and watch out for their best interests without hesitation?
She was careful to select friends that had her same moral compass,
but external forces were always eager to disturb their positive focus.
In the quest to have a good time and enjoy every occasion,
she would meet others that did not share her same pure convictions.
She had rehearsed what she would do in situations that could compromise her beliefs -
she would try to respond with grace and humor that would not give offense.
Her teenage class often would promote conversation that could be cruel.
Would she try to uplift others or forget the golden rule?
Would she seek the spiritual safety of the friends she would meet?
Would she be kind and gracious to strangers she would greet?
Would she insure that her actions reflected the standards she safeguarded closely,
or would she give-in to peer pressure from those in her vicinity.
Could she take a stand, hold the line and be firm in the face of ridicule?
Would she remain true to values that others may want to overrule?
“Yes, I will return with honor”, she vowed once again -
“I will be an example of the believers as I have a great time with my friends”.
“Return with honor” does not just mean not doing something wrong -
it is a higher code of conduct for those who seek to do more than just belong.
October 2021
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