“So … ice cream for lunch?” Brendon shot me a conspiratorial grin over the top of his car just before I lowered into the seat.

“I knew I liked you.” I returned the same grin.

We stopped at an ice cream shop for sundaes and spent over two hours there talking about … everything. It was easy and refreshing.

“I talked with my boss … well, bosses at the law firm. After I take the bar, I’m going to go on a mission trip for six months. I told them I understood if they can’t hold my position, but they were really great. They said I’d have a job waiting when I returned.”

“Wow …” I sipped my second glass of water as Brendon fiddled with his spoon and empty sundae bowl. “A mission trip. Where to?”

“Thailand.”

“That’s …” I shook my head. “Great?” I laughed at my own response. “Brave? I don’t know.”

“Exciting with a dash of scary.” Brendon grinned. “I’ve done small trips to places in Central America, just through my church. But this one is through a bigger organization. It’s a bucket list thing for me. I want to feel like my life is useful beyond settling disputes among people wealthy enough to hire an attorney from a big law firm. I just …” He focused on his spoon for a few seconds. “I just want to stay grounded in my purpose. I want to always feel like I’m taking opportunities to really serve and do God’s work. You know?”

I did. And I didn’t.

Truth?

I envied Brendon’s direction in life. He was focused and driven. He wasn’t lost in his journey or stalled along the side of the road like me. I felt certain he didn’t stay awake at night worrying if the object of his affection was holding hands with someone else or kissing them.

My priorities were shameful.

“You know …” he continued. “It might be something for you to consider too. If you’re not going to college right away, and you don’t really know what direction you want to go, it might be a good way to get a direction. Focus. Perspective. And if it doesn’t give you any of that, you’ll still have done something great. Made a difference.”

Brendon would be a good attorney. He had mad skills at making a good case for things.

“Well…” I frowned “…now I feel like a loser.”

He laughed and shook his head. “No. Don’t feel like that. Not at all. You’re eighteen. You have your whole life to work, volunteer, make a difference. There’s nothing wrong with just being young and a little lost.”

“Pfft …” I rolled my eyes. “Says the guy who, I’m sure, was going on mission trips at my age.”

With a sheepish grin, he shrugged. “Only because I legit had no life beyond that. Now who’s the loser?”