by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

One fall day I felt a big lump in my throat as our kids left early for school. Ashley, age 17; Benjamin, 15; and Samuel, 13, were going to participate in "See You at the Pole," a nationwide movement of Christian junior and senior high school students gathering around flagpoles to pray for their schools.

The previous evening our family had seen a video promoting "See You at the Pole." We had been thrilled to watch as 250 teenagers prayed around their flagpole. We applauded the courage of a group of only five students who dared to pray around their school's flagpole while the rest of the student body went their ways. But I got a catch in my throat when the video showed one lone girl at another school standing by the pole-praying.

Ashley and Benjamin knew of at least a dozen students who were planning to pray with them at their high school. But Samuel knew of only two other students who might pray with him-and even that wasn't a sure thing. What if he's the only one? I thought.

I looked down at my son through watery eyes. Everything within me wanted to spare him the pain of what he might face. But I realized this was a time for Samuel to count the cost of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Well, as it turned out, nearly 50 kids out of a student body of 425 showed up with Samuel. God used that event to teach all of us some important lessons. Barbara and I realized our kids need the opportunity to hammer out their own faith in the midst of their doubts, just like we did. And it reminded me to take courageous and public stands for Christ, and not be ashamed!

Prayer:

That you and each member of your family will never be intimidated or ashamed to affirm Christian values in a non-Christian world.

Discuss: How have you and your children had the opportunity to take a public stand for Christ? Share a recent time where you've been ashamed to stand up for Jesus Christ.

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