Key Bible Verse: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones" (Luke 16:10). Bonus Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14

After ten days, we counselors were exhausted from trying to get the campers to obey. Breaking the director's rules under our noses had become, for many, the sport of choice.

At the close of an evening session, Dave walked to the microphone. "I called a counselors meeting this afternoon," he began. "We talked about how tired we are of chasing some of you around." The room was strangely silent. "So we've decided to do something radical. How many of you understand the rules? Let me see your hands." Every hand went up. "How many of you would say that you simply can't obey these rules and need your parents to come get you tomorrow morning?" No hands.

"Okay, we trust you." Dave's words changed everything. Miraculously, order was restored. No more night patrol. Just before falling asleep that night, it dawned on me. No one could make those kids do anything. But if we created an atmosphere of protection, affection, laughter, and faith, that says, "I trust you"—the natural result would be good conduct.

That idea has turned out to be wonderfully profound in my life—as a dad and businessman.

My Response: A relationship I could "upgrade" by expressing trust is …

Thought to Apply: There's only one thing finer than a friend you can trust, and that's one who trusts you.
—Isis magazine