"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9

*names have been changed to protect privacy.

I will never forget Sean*. I met him over a decade ago as a shy, freckled-face, dark-haired student in my second grade classroom. Sean was a sweet, bright boy; but he never spoke! As I got to know him in those first few days of school it became apparent that Sean had a rare childhood condition where he experienced such severe anxiety that he was unable to speak. He was a selective mute. This is not a condition where a child willfully refuses to talk, but physically could not speak up for himself. In order to account for this, we took to writing exchanges in a notebook that he carried with him.

Sean always joined our small, daily reading group, and it was a rare occasion when he would let me hear him whisper out a few words. The students had learned that while Sean sat at the table with us, and tracked along with his finger, I usually skipped over him because he didn’t ever want to read aloud. He physically couldn’t read aloud. Until one day, in the midst of winter as we read around the table, I skipped over Sean as was my custom. Stephanie immediately said, “Sean needs a turn!” Not wanting to embarrass him I quickly replied, “It’s okay. Your turn, Stephanie.” “No!” she emphatically stated. “Sean, you can do this! I’ll help you!” This effervescent, auburn-haired little girl, grabbed his hand and started reading aloud. Sean looked at her with his hazel eyes silently questioning her audacity. “You got this, Sean! Come on!” That day, as Stephanie started reading aloud, Sean joined her!

They finished the three lines on the page, and Stephanie started cheering for him like it was her profession. “Sean!!! You did it! I’m so proud of you Sean!” She stood up faster than I could reach over the horseshoe table to stop her and proceeded to announce to the entire class that was quietly working, “Hey guys! Sean just read this out loud!!! Are you proud of him?!” The entire class of 23 erupted into applause & cheering! Sean just looked at them and beamed. Let me tell you, I was wiping tears away from my face that day for sure!

From that moment on, Stephanie and Sean were inseparable. She was by his side all day long and made it her personal mission to be his champion. Little by little, Sean began to talk to her, then me, then his classmates. I wonder if things would have ever changed if Stephanie never stood up for him that day and insisted he have his turn.

Though this verse does not speak literally about those who cannot speak, when I read , "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” I am transported back to that day.

Sean wasn’t able to speak up for himself because he was fearful. But, when someone came alongside him, took his hand and advocated for him~ that fear dissipated. It’s always easier to face difficulty when you know someone is willing to walk through it with you.

It might be easy when we read this scripture to think of those around the world that are hungry or homeless. Perhaps our mind goes toward those who are living in a war-torn country, or are facing religious persecution. Yet, there are so many people that we encounter personally day in and day out that need us to defend or speak up for them.

Have you ever been in a situation at work, out with friends, or even in the church~ when someone is talking poorly of another? Do you speak up and remind others that this person is made in the image of our God? Have you ever encountered a circumstance when you saw someone being treated unfairly? Do you intervene or pretend not to see it and walk away? We don’t need to go to Worcester, Boston, or a foreign country to speak up for those around us.

God calls us to be peacemakers. To be a voice for those who are oppressed, distressed, or repressed. In every situation. When we defend others who are unjustly judged or mistreated, we provide support in the midst of their fear.

When fear dissipates, peace can grow.

Written by Lorinda Allen