Someone commented under a picture of little Ruby Bridges being led away from school surrounded by federal officers “not sure if I could have put my child through this…” The following is my reply.

Understood, felt and respected. The greatness is that somebody (her parents) did so that you didn’t have to. Someone had to be first, then second, and third and so on it kept rolling until it reached a point where we didn’t have to put our children through this.

Times have changed and it’s because of her and others after her that those of us who may not have been able to do that to our children never had to make that choice. I’m certain it was an extremely difficult choice for her parents as well, but back then there was a specific need. Some people rose up to meet that need.

What’s upon us now is “are we able to put our children through something to meet a specific need right now, so that further down the line other parents won’t have to?”

These days we have specific needs as well. Most assuredly not the same specific needs as back then, but equally as important to our people, our nation, and our world. What’s upon us now is “are we able to put our children through something to meet a specific need right now, so that further down the line other parents won’t have to?”

We think about the challenges and the sacrifices made. We think about doing what was never done before. Are we up for that? Are we ready?

I’m not trying to put anyone on the spot here. I don’t want your answers here and now. In fact, the answers are not for me to know, but each of us individually in our lives.

With those answers we’re called to act upon them. We have a stake in the future. We got some mighty dark clouds already over us and already we feel the winds rushing in. Are our houses in order? From whence do we garner strength?

Like it or not, our country is under siege from within. Just as Ruby Bridges’s parents stepped up to the challenge so that our children have better opportunity we have to see to it that this country doesn’t fall back into circumstances that led to the making of this picture.

What are you prepared for?