Garrett hung up the phone and stuffed it in his gym bag, thankful for an excuse to get off the call. Sure, he loved his parents, but he could only handle these conversations in small doses. He palmed his basketball and headed to the court, where Max stood, leaning on the fence, scrolling on his phone.

            “Sorry I’m late. Just got off the phone with my folks.”

            Max set the phone on his bag next to his water bottle. “Everything OK?”

            Garret frowned. “Everything is perfect, just like always.”

            Max raised his eyebrows. “I don’t understand.”

            “My two older brothers are walking on water. Chaz is a doctor and Marc heads up a tech company. They both have beautiful wives and have given my parents grandchildren. My parents like to remind me often of what a disappointment I am.”

            “Because you’re not married?”

            “That’s only part of it. Come on, let’s play.” Garrett passed the ball to Max. All conversation ceased as Garrett worked out his frustrations on the court. This was exactly what he needed. A physical release.

            After nearly a full hour of one-on-one, Garrett and Max collapsed on the nearby park bench, gulping from their water bottles. Garrett set down his bottle and turned to his friend. “Thanks for that. It felt good.”
            “What, beating me? I’m sure it did.”
            “Well, I need to feel like I’m good at something once in a while, especially after talking to my parents. It’s hard to be the disappointment of the family.”
            Max’s brow furrowed. “I don’t get that. You’re a guidance counselor in a good school district. You make decent money, have a nice place, and you’re helping people.”

            “It’s not the same as my brothers. Chaz does life-saving surgeries, and Marc developed an app that controls a blood sugar monitor. They’re changing people’s lives by what they do every day.”

            Marc grabbed a towel and wiped his face. “So are you.”

            “I help kids figure out what classes to take. It’s not the same thing.”

            “What about that kid last year that was suicidal? You literally saved his life. How is he doing now?”

            Garrett’s mind traveled back to that time. It had been rough, but Danny went through an intensive therapy program. “He’s actually doing really well. He’s applying for colleges now. Because of what he went through, he wants to become a therapist.”

            Marc nodded. “See – there’s one example. Sure, you help kids with classes, but those classes help them get into the programs they want later in their lives. You’re pointing them in the right direction to follow their dreams. And more often than not, you’re giving them a safe place to tell you their dreams. Some of these kids don’t have anyone else. You may be the only advice they ever get that’s worth listening to.”

            Garrett took another swig of water. “You really think what I do is important?”

            “Of course it is. No, you’re not doing surgery or developing apps, but you’re changing the future for these kids and giving them hope. Your parents should be proud of what you’re doing. But even if they’re not, God is proud of you. In fact, you and Jesus have something in common.”

            Garrett stared at Marc. “Care to elaborate?”
            Marc laughed. “Jesus wasn’t ever called a surgeon or an app developer. But He was called Counselor. And I can’t think of anything more important than receiving Godly counsel.”

Isaiah 9:6

 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

God, thank You for always giving us wise counsel through Your word. And thank you for the people in our lives who we can turn to for advice. Please teach us not to compare ourselves to other people. You’ve created us all with different gifts. Help us use those gifts in service to You. Please help us, little by little, become more like You every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.