This shouldn't be news!

I was quite impressed by two items I saw in the newspaper last week. It is this type of story that restores one's faith in mankind.

The first story was about Moisei Baraniuc who is 17 years old. Moisei works as a grocery bagger in Federal Way, Washington. He earns minimum wage which he uses to pay for his high school costs, gas, and other expenses. Moisei found a bag in the supermarket restroom with $10,000 in it. He turned it in, and it was restored to its owner. Moisei says, "My dad is always telling us in this life you've got to work for yourself. If you take what doesn't belong to you, it will catch up to you." Moisie, whose nickname is Moses, teaches 10-year-olds at his First Ukrainian Baptist Church. "I can't be teaching little kids not to do it if I'm doing it," he said. What a great role model for his young students!

The second story was about J. P. Hayes. Hayes is a golfer. He was just about to earn his PGA card in qualifying school. Alas, he realized that by accident, he had used an unapproved golf ball. He was the only one who knew, and he did not intentionally violate the rules. He reported himself, delaying by at least a year his chances in professional golf. Character is what you do when no one is watching!

Both of these men are to be commended. They set a wonderful example. Isn't it a shame, though, that such acts are so rare they end up in the newspaper?

"Teen's honesty pays off." The Dallas Morning News; November 28, 2008; p. 11A.
"Would the rese of us have been so honest?" The Dallas Morning News; November 29, 2008; p. 20A.