Stand Up For One Another

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

“I’m going to try out for the cheerleading team!” Terri exclaimed to her older sister Katie after the first day of school.

It was a big deal for Terri to step outside of her comfort zone and try out, even though she was shy and a bit insecure. Terri made the squad and loved cheering, but as the season went on, some of the older girls began to criticize Terri’s skills and question if she should even be a part of the squad. One evening, Terri went home in tears.

Terri dropped her bag in the entryway and trudged up the stairs. She could hear music coming from Katie’s room. When Terri entered, Katie looked up from her bed where she was studying. “What’s wrong?”

Seeing the sympathy on Katie’s face made Terri want to cry. “Everything,” Terri responded as Katie handed her a tissue.

Terri sat on Katie’s bed and told her the whole situation—what the other girls had said, the way they looked at her, how she felt—all of it. Katie listened, and then with a resolute look told Terri she would talk to one of the girls on the cheerleading team. Terri listened as Katie called the other girl and kindly but firmly asked her what was happening, and then explained how the way they were treating Terri wasn’t right. As Terri listened, she felt encouraged that her sister would defend her.

We all need to have someone we know is going to be on our side no matter what happens—a friend who will encourage us, build us up, and stand up for us when others are being unkind. Have you ever considered that you could be that person in someone else’s life? The Bible tells us we shouldn’t just say we love each other. We should show it by our actions. It can take courage to stand up for a friend who is being hurt, made fun of, or called names, but when we do so, we are putting our love into action.

Things to Think About

• Do you have a sibling, close relative, or friend who has stood up for you? What difference did it or does it make for you?
• Have you had the opportunity to stand up for a friend? What happened as a result?

DAILY ACT OF FRIENDSHIP

Make a plan for how you will stand up for a sibling or friend who needs to know you are for them.