As I have worked more closely with the men in training this quarter I have been reminded again of the weight and complexity of life. Over the past two months, I’ve had conversations with guys about difficult life situations back home that they are trying to navigate, conversations with guys struggling with sexual temptation, conversations with instructors about issues in their units, conversations with SMaj about problems in the Battalion, and I have been asked for a lot of advice. None of these conversations were unexpected, or even particularly surprising, but they have all served to remind me of my shortcomings. Every day I am in need of more wisdom, patience, humility, the fruits of the Spirit, and the love of Christ as I try and lead the men under me. I’m pretty sure both Colonel Boulden and Major Hawley would also say something similar about their needs as they fill their positions, as would SMaj, SDS, and all of our leadership.

Please pray for us as we try and disciple and lead men who are coming to us with lives full of hurts, joys, insecurities, strengths, goals, hopes, dreams, and more. We want to lead and disciple in such a way that makes much of Christ, makes less of ourselves, and gives them tools for when they leave. It is far too easy to misdiagnose what is happening in a guy’s life, or miss the roots of his actions, or even completely miss a guy who is struggling internally but excelling at the externals of ALERT life. Pray that we would be good stewards of the influence that we have been entrusted with, and that we would care well for the men.