Mentored out of Mischief

It seemed to begin as a random incident—paint spilled on the highway. But when it began happening more frequently and appearing for the morning commute—and for those coming home after dark, it was no longer random. It was malicious.

Wet paint splatters your car as you drive through the sloppy mess on the highway. 

In the spectrum of crime—this is mild. But it reminds me of what my dad once said: “Someone doing mischief needs a mentor.” 

Back when I was a child, there was a Christmas season when a rash of outdoor Christmas light bulbs were stolen after folks had gone to bed. Alas, the culprits were eventually caught, and one of the teens came to our front door to apologize and replace our missing outdoor Christmas lights. I watched from the kitchen window as he gently put each one back.

My dad was outside with him, and they talked. After the boy was finished they shook hands. But it didn’t end there. Dad kept track of him, and in his role as an Air Force recruiter, he called him twice a month—asked about his grades and his future plans. Yes, someone doing mischief needs a mentor. 

That young man eventually graduated and went on to college. He didn’t join the Air Force, but perhaps having someone looking after him during some tough years made a difference for his future.

I don’t know who is splattering paint on our highway, but I hope there will eventually be a mentor to guide them out of their mischief.