Dequante “DQ” Thomas couldn’t have imagined as a single, 27-year-old man, he’d know all the words to “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen. But when his 4-year-old niece, Ashton, asks to watch it just one more time, he can’t say no. He sheepishly admits she has him wrapped around her little finger. 

DQ is driven. He’s hardworking. He’s a family man. He’s mature beyond his years, and his tough demeanor seems to fade when Ashton and his nephew, Katavian, 8, walk into the room. 

DQ’s life was turned upside down a year and a half ago when he found out his sister’s two children were being taken into Child Protective Services custody. He immediately knew what he had to do – “man up.” 

“If it were my kids, I would have wanted my brothers or sisters to do it for me.” 

He called his local CPS office to find out what he needed to do to bring Ashton and Katavian home with him. They referred him to Buckner. 

“We had literally just started this kinship care program here in Longview when he called, and he was one of my first cases,” shares Linda Womack, his Buckner home developer and case worker. “To see a single uncle – a single, 25-year-old uncle – who wanted to do what he was doing was something I didn’t expect.” 

Life often doesn’t turn out like we planned or even hoped. We’re put in positions we’d rather not be in, and we have to decide how we’re going to respond. Sometimes it happens at work. Others times, it’s connected to a family member. 

Maybe it’s when someone says something ugly about you. Maybe someone demands you fudge the numbers at work. Maybe it’s when you have the opportunity to do something without anyone ever seeing. 

At those times, will we stand on biblical principles? Will we cling to our faith and trust God will take care of us no matter the personal cost? 

DQ faced his situation head-on. He knew what he had to do – take care of his niece and nephew. He knew it would change his life, but he was more focused on changing theirs. 

This week, I pray we all have the strength to do the right thing. Just like DQ. 

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. –Philippians 4:8