The Brave Thing

Bible Reading: Proverbs 15:3; Ezekiel 36:26-27

“Come on, we can sneak in. No one will see us,” Paige’s friend Noelle whispered, motioning for her to join her at the fence.

Paige bit her lip. She wanted to go swimming too, but she knew it was wrong to use their neighbors’ pool without them knowing.

“Don’t be so scared.” Noelle climbed up and over the fence. “Come on. It’s easy!” she whispered through the slats.

Paige stood on the other side, not sure what to do. What will Noelle think of me if I don’t go over there? she thought. Maybe we can just have some fun with no one knowing…

Paige reached for the fence just as she heard footsteps behind her. She startled and turned around. Ronnie, a boy Paige knew from church who lived a few houses down, was walking toward them, his brows lowered. “What are you doing?” he asked. “That’s not your house.”

“Um.” Paige didn’t know what to say.

“Ronnie, you can come too,” Noelle said from the other side of the fence. “We’re going to swim in the Williams’ pool.”

“What?” Ronnie’s eyes widened. “Did you get permission?”

“No, but they’re on vacation, and they hardly ever use it,” Noelle said.

Ronnie shook his head. “That would be wrong.”

Noelle shrugged. “No one will know.”

“God will,” Ronnie said.

Paige swallowed. Ronnie was right. “I can’t do it either, Noelle.”

Her friend scowled and turned away from the fence, walking toward the big, inviting pool. “She thinks I’m too scared to join her,” Paige said quietly.

Ronnie shook his head. “You’re not scared. You’re brave.”

“I’m brave?” Paige asked.

“It’s easy to do what people want you to do, but it’s harder to do what’s right.” Ronnie smiled. “But you can do the brave thing because you have the power of the Holy Spirit. We talked about that in church last week—how the Holy Spirit lives inside those who trust in Jesus and helps us turn from sin and obey God.”

Paige gave him a small smile. “I guess so,” she said. “I’m glad you showed up when you did. Next time I’ll try to remember that I can be brave and do what’s right because I’m never alone. God is always with me.”

-Bethany Acker

How About You?

Do you ever feel pressured by your friends to do things you know are wrong? Are you tempted to go along with them because you don’t want them to think you’re afraid to say no? Situations like that are never easy, but if you know Jesus, you don’t have to go through them alone—you have the Holy Spirit to help you. He gives you the strength and courage you need so you can do the brave thing and stand up for what’s right.

Today’s Key Verse:
Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

You can do what’s right