Josh and his half-brother, Sammy, were introduced to our youth group at Church because their father didn't know what else to do with them. Josh was nine, and in trouble at school and at home. There was no mom in the picture for either of the boys.

The last straw was when Josh decided to set up a tent in his bedroom for some winter camping. The ceiling in their trailer house was too low, so Josh climbed up on the bed and pounded a hole in the ceiling drywall. He nailed the tent to the floor with tent pegs. He didn't seem to have any sense of “right or wrong.”

We loved him, though. He grew. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was eleven. His Dad came to church to see him immersed. Eventually, Josh turned into a typically awkward twelve year old. It was December and he informed me he wanted to sing a solo in our morning worship service. I was surprised. I had no idea if he could sing, or not, but I wanted to encourage him, so I scheduled him for the next week.

Josh arrived at church the next Sunday wearing a new suit, complete with necktie. I complimented him on how great he looked. When I shook his hand, I noticed the designer label tag was still stitched  to the sleeve of his suit coat. I told him that it should be removed, and that I had a pair of scissors in  my office. He refused, saying, “I like it. I want to leave it on there.” I assured him that would be O.K.

When Josh stood to sing, he covered the label on his sleeve with his left hand, stood center stage, and sang beautifully, without accompaniment:

“What can I bring Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I'd give him a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I'd make a start.
What can I give Him?
I'll give Him my heart.”

On his way out from church, I congratulated Josh on the fine job he had done.

“I'm going to take the suit back now," he said.

“What? I don't understand.”

“Daddy said that we can't afford this suit. I got it with the understanding that I would take it back to
the mall after church.”

“Why did you do that?” I asked. “You did a great job! Your regular clothes would have been fine.”

“I wanted to look my best for Jesus,” he said, and went home to change, and return the suit.

Do you think God was pleased with Josh's worship that December Sunday? I do. It might have been the best Christmas sermon I have ever heard: “I want to do my best for Jesus.”

My wife and I saw Josh at a wedding not too long ago. He is now twenty five. He was standing there, ruggedly handsome, wearing his military Dress Blues. I am so proud of him. He turned out all right.  He is still looking his best for Jesus.