Never a more proud moment...

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my father in heaven." Matthew 10:32

...and a child shall lead!

I have the best teenager in the world! Don't get me wrong...there are moments of "ordinary" but this past week Chelsea has been "extraordinary". I won't go into the specific details of the situation, however i will give you gist.

Chelsea has had a "best friend" for the past 2 years. They've been in almost all the same classes at school and have spent a great deal of time outside of school together.

Chelsea's friend professed to be a Christian but lately wasn't making the choices Chelsea felt exemplified her "profession". This friend started with one bad choice and was continuing to make one after the other. She was also beginning to put Chelsea in uncomfortable positions and asking Chelsea to lie for the friend AND pressuring Chelsea to make some bad choices and to simply lie to her parents about their location or what movie they really were going to see, etc...

Chelsea never "caved"! She stood up to this friend and repeatedly said, if this is your choice I can call my mom to come pick me up...or Chelsea would flat out tell this friend, "NO!"

The stakes were "jacked up" when Chelsea (on her own accord) laid this friendship on the line. Chelsea communicated to her friend that she could either begin to make better choices, act like a "Christian" and allow their friendship to be centered around Christ OR Chelsea would be forced to distance herself from her friend. Two days later, this friend renounced her belief in God. Not only did this friend decide to be vocal about her decision, she also posted it on Facebook and her My Space.

Needless to say this was totally devastating for Chelsea. Chelsea was extremely emotional for several days in disbelief that her friend would make such a decision.

Chelsea felt she had no choice but to follow through with what she had said to her friend. It wasn't that Chelsea didn't love this individual...quite the opposite...However, Chelsea said the "lines" were so cloudy for her and that she was struggling with the boundaries of this friendship...Chelsea had previously decided if this friendship ever began having a negative affect on her, she would no longer continue the relationship...so...she did it...she distanced herself! She told her "best friend" she could no longer remain that "best friend" anymore. She told her she was releasing her to the Lord and that she would always pray for her.

WOW...a 15 year old...what boldness...what courage...what a stand for Christ and for her Christian convictions!

Do we as adults do this? Don't most of us simply allow our "friends" their freedom to make their reckless choices and we never say a word or get involved. Don't we allow that husband or wife to just walk out of their committment to their spouse...or that friend to continue drinking that "last" drink...or that friend that last "roll of the dice", or allow our married friend that "second glance" at the opposite sex????

Where is our boldness? Where is our courage?/ Where are our convictions???

It's time we as adult Christians step up. We need to be the leaders of our youth...we shouldn't have "role reversal".

How are you acknowledging Christ before men?

Blessings!