I was handed a mission: bring me a brick. What I thought was a joke turned into one of the most formative lessons of my life.
Back in my early military days, I arrived at a new base full of ambition and nerves. It was one of those units known for rapid deployment—we were expected to be sharp, ready, and dependable. I figured my first task might be checking in with a supervisor, getting assigned gear, or running a standard errand.
Nope. My supervising sergeant looked me in the eye and said, “Go get me a brick.”
He gave no context, no direction. Just the order.
These were the kinds of moments that would later inspire parts of my Start Strong devotional. Moments that seem small on the surface—but hit deep when you look back.
The Wild Goose Chase Begins
I was confused at first. A brick? Where was I supposed to find that on a military base?
I searched around the building. Nothing. I asked a few other guys—they laughed. Either they didn’t know or weren’t about to make it easier for me.
I circled the compound, eyeing every corner like a scavenger. Checked around the parking lot. Even peeked behind dumpsters. Still nothing. And every time I went back to my sergeant to ask for a clue, he just said, “Bring me a brick.”
Frustration was building, but I wasn’t about to give up. I didn’t want to be the guy who quit at the first sign of resistance.
That’s when I remembered the base exchange. It had an outdoor section. I made my way there and found a landscaping aisle—and sure enough, there they were. Bricks.
Mission complete. But the lesson wasn’t about masonry.
The Real Test Was About Something Bigger
Turns out, the brick was a test. Not of strength or speed—but of initiative.
My sergeant wasn’t being lazy or trying to haze me. He wanted to see how I’d handle unclear orders. Would I freeze? Would I give up and blame the lack of guidance? Or would I keep pushing until I found a solution?
That’s life. That’s manhood.
There are times when no one tells you exactly what to do. No checklist. No map. Just a need, and it’s on you to figure it out.
And what I learned that day is something I’ve carried ever since: If I want to lead others—my family, my team, anyone—I first have to lead myself.
That means showing up, thinking ahead, and doing the work, even when the task is vague and the reward isn’t clear.
It means being the man who figures it out, even when nothing is handed to you.
From Brick to Fatherhood (and Everything In Between)
These days, that same “brick mindset” shows up when I’m trying to get up early to work out, or when I’m managing life as a husband and father. It’s not about the brick anymore. It’s about doing what needs to be done—even when the instructions aren’t clear.
It shows up when I’m fighting the urge to scroll instead of writing. When I’m worn out after work but still need to lead my kids. When I have to make decisions that impact more than just me.
It even shows up in how I manage my time and priorities. Some mornings, I don’t feel like opening my Bible. Some nights, I don’t feel like being patient. But those are the moments that matter most. It’s not about ease—it’s about effort.
And honestly? That mindset didn’t come naturally. I had to be forged into it. The military taught me a lot. So did marriage. Fatherhood. Losing and regaining discipline. God used it all.
This little story was one of the early fires that helped do that.
It also inspired one of the entries in my Start Strong devotional—daily encouragements designed for guys like us who are rebuilding discipline from the ground up. If you’ve ever felt like you needed a nudge in the morning to get your head right, it might help you too.
👉 You can grab the first month of Start Strong for free right here. It’s built for men who are serious about starting their day with truth, clarity, and grit.
The Bigger Picture
The story of the brick taught me invaluable lessons about problem-solving and taking initiative. It showed me the importance of thinking creatively, being self-reliant, and approaching challenges with a proactive mindset.
This experience has not only influenced my approach to tasks in the military but has also had a lasting impact on how I tackle everyday challenges. I now strive to be more independent, resourceful, and proactive in finding solutions, whether at work, at home, or in any other aspect of my life.
I don’t wait around for someone to hand me a checklist. I try to wake up before the house stirs, pray before the chaos starts, and build before excuses show up.
By sharing this story, I hope to inspire others to embrace a similar approach to problem-solving. By being proactive, thinking creatively, and taking initiative, we can overcome obstacles and achieve success in our endeavors.
And maybe next time you hit a wall, you’ll hear a voice in the back of your mind say, “Go get the brick.”
