Fox-Hole Friends

The 1986 National Teacher of the Year, Guy Doud, was asked by a reporter what it was like to be named the best teacher in America. He responded that he may have been selected to represent all teachers, but sometimes he questioned if he was even the best teacher in his classroom. My experience echoes his sentiment.

One specific experience cemented these thoughts for me. Following an incident in a sixth-grade class, one young man was identified as the “cause” of several other students being confronted with their wrong behavior. This became very evident at lunch when the young man was left by his classmates to eat by himself. As an educator, I rightfully prepared to address this issue. However, God had prepared a lesson from amazing young teachers that would speak louder than any lesson that I could have prepared. Without prompting, five young men in the eighth-grade class (all regarded as leaders among their peers) picked up their lunches and joined the young man at his table. In the small school, this act was evident to all the students. Their lesson was clearly heard in the conscience of the students and in the heart of the young man.

I have referred to these young men as foxhole friends. There are very few relationships that are as important as the bond developed in the hardship of the foxhole. Your life depends on the one who has your back and he depends on you to have his back. As I have related this story, I have made it clear that I would trust any of these young men in my foxhole and their courage strengthened the young sixth grader to become a foxhole friend as well.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12