Deaconitis

Tonight was the youth temple trip. Natalie was the only member of our family not there! As the youth were gathered in the waiting area, a little insignificant scene played out but from which I found meaning. The newest little Deacon, Chandler, was standing next to three tall Teachers, including his brother and Ryan. Chandler’s mother signaled to her older son to fix Chandler’s “Deaconitis” (collar folded down wrong on neck exposing tie.) All three of the older boys began fixing and straightening and generally sprucing up the mildly disheveled boy. Everyone in the room seemed to be noticing the three big boys attending to the small one. I hope that these older boys realize how much their actions and attitudes can help to “groom” Chandler in more important ways than clothing.

Realizing he had an audience, Ryan finished the job with a final brush down of the shoulders and a pat on the head. As soon as they finished, Amanda, who was seated nearby, quietly said, “Come here, Chandler” and she straightened his tie. There is a lesson there too – maybe Teachers are not far enough removed from “Deaconitis” to address it properly.