Be Glad to Be Different

You probably know people at school—maybe you're one of them—who would almost rather be dead than be different. They keep up with all the latest fads. They all dress alike on certain days. Anyone who does not follow like a sheep is called a "square."

Now, it's fun to be a part of the gang up to a certain point. There is no harm in wanting to dress as well as or just like someone else once in a while. But if you allow yourself to become a slave to fashion or custom you will lose out on something important in your growing-up process. There is always the danger that you will forget you are also an individual as well as a part of the bunch.

Remember this: every time some dress fad starts that takes the gang by storm, some one person had the idea all by himself first. Maybe two or three agreed. But it came out of one head. If you think some fad is crazy, then start a new one. Make your way look attractive. If you can get people to follow you in doing sensible things you are keeping them from doing foolish things.

It isn't usually "hep" to discuss religion or to stand up openly for Christ's teachings when a subject arises. But you have just as much right to refuse to do something that you think is wrong as someone else has to do it when he doesn't care whether it is right or wrong. Why is it any more unusual for a Protestant to read his Bible in public than for a Catholic to choose fish in the lunchroom on Friday?

What's wrong with being a "square" anyway? Well, then let's make it fashionable. Ask God to give you courage to stand up for what you believe to be right.