Why I Support ‘March for Our Lives’

Their Courage

Kids aren’t born with courage. It must be developed and nurtured. Earlier this school year, one of my kids decided to start a club at school. She talked it over with a friend, then with her dad and me, and formulated a plan to present to the administration. Almost weekly since December, she has led a growing group of sixth graders before school for 20-minute meetings. She is learning the ups and downs of public speaking: “The first day my voice was shaking the whole time. But the second week I wasn’t as scared.” She is also learning how to prepare a talk, accept constructive criticism, and manage a sometimes unruly group of peers (“they just won’t stop talking!”). This club has provided an amazing leadership opportunity for her. And it was all her idea. As her parents, we encourage from home, but the school administrators support her directly. They continue to build into her beyond the classroom. The club was her idea, her creation, and is her responsibility. Teachers have told us how inspired they are watching her do her thing. We can’t be more proud.

The Florida teens, in speaking publically, accepting invitations to Washington, formulating coherent arguments, and facing the inevitable criticisms, have shown a similar, though more impressive, courage. Can you imagine the pride their parents must feel? But these kids all started somewhere. Some have clear gifts of leadership and now a platform on which to hone those skills. Some may be scared of public speaking but are doing it anyway. I’m reminded of the apostle Paul writing to his protege Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim.  4:12). Because of their age, young people have greater credibility hurdles, so their character and demeanor will determine how seriously their protests are taken. But their age should not disqualify their voices from being heard. It takes an extra measure of courage, though, for a youth to rebuke a nation of adults.