Once when I was nine or ten years old I was with my brother and cousins in the city park. We had been exploring the park, enjoying the swings, searching for frogs in the fountain and playing tag. Of course, no visit to the park was complete without visiting the candy store located in the center of the park— not far from the pool.
I went inside to purchase some candy, and when I came out I noticed that seven or eight boys about my own age had arrived. They were rowdy and capricious — and they were bullying my cousin.
Amy was a year younger than I was, with some special need issues. The boys had surrounded her and they were throwing rocks at her… small rocks to be sure… but they were enjoying her frightened reactions as they taunted her. All of my other cousins and brother were younger than me and were frightened of the older boys.
Pushing into the middle of the circle, I yelled at them, “Stop it! Leave her alone!” One of the boys, who was clearly the leader said menacingly, “And what if we don’t?” “What are you going to do about it?”
I can tell you, as a boy, I was far from a fighter, but there was no way I was going to allow them to bully my cousin. So, I said with a confidence that I really didn’t have… “I will stop you!” With a sneering smile the bully leader deliberately picked up another rock… and threw it at Amy. I’m not sure what came over me, but in true Opie Taylor fashion — I lit into him like a windmill in a tornado.
The “fight” lasted less than a minute. I do remember that I was on top of him — at least most of the time — but I don’t know if any of my punches landed… I don’t believe any of his did… mostly we just rolled around on the ground. Fortunately a police officer was nearby and he broke things up. As my cousins and brother ran to my grandparents’ house to tell them the news, Amy just hugged me while she cried, thanking me for defending her.
Well, when Amy and I arrived at my grandparents’ home — everybody knew what had happened. I was a bit fearful walking into the house… after all, I had been fighting and that was not acceptable behavior in our family. Would I be in trouble?
I was covered in the dust from the ground and my shirt was ripped, but I quickly discovered that I was the hero of the family that day. Everyone was hugging me and thanking me. I will never forget my Uncle Tommy reaching out to shake my hand as he said, “Steve, thank you for standing up for Amy. I am so proud that you defended your cousin.”
I really don’t think I did anything spectacular that day. I mean, I just defended someone I loved. Asaph wrote, Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:3-4 NIV
To defend the weak is a noble pursuit. This week I have been pondering about the weakest in our society… the unborn. No one is more vulnerable… more innocent… and even more defenseless than an unborn baby. I wish that was not so… but in our world today… this is the reality. Who speaks for them? Who will defend them?
I am pleased to inform you that our church is launching a new ministry — a team of folks who will be champions for the unborn. This team will provide resources and opportunities for mothers to choose life for their unborn child, and maybe you would like to be part of this ministry… for to defend the weak is a noble pursuit.
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