The Power of Peers

I have always heard the negative consequences of peers as mostly revolving around peer pressure and yet I am not so sure that that is all there is to the story.

Think of a football game--the stadium full of thousands of fans could almost explode at any moment with anticipation. The screaming, adoring crazies can't even seem to seat themselves for three straight hours and when they must leave their seat for that inevitable beer, they sprint down the stairs, tap their feet impatiently in line, and make a dash back up to their row. They can't wait to be back 'in it.'

Attending my very first professional game this year with my roommate I was amazed at the amount of energy, excitement, and gusto that exuded from almost every fan. What a great event to be a part of. Kara and I were privy to something so much bigger than either one of us or even both of us together.

What about exercising with a group of friends or celebrating someone's birthday? What about running a marathon with 10,000 people or brainstorming with one's colleagues for something really important?

So much better when you're together.

And so it is, I have found, with the group of middle schoolers that I see everyday. The week before Spring Break, two new students entered my class. They are brothers and I was curious to see how they would fair in this new environment, coming into it so late in the game. But within the hour, both boys were diligently doing their work, making small talk with other students, and telling funny stories.

I was so glad they wanted to share their stories with us (more on them another time).

Today was no exception. As I surveyed the classroom from behind my desk once again I saw these brothers cranking it while talking with their neighbors. I thought--now here is the power of a peer--not only are they discouraging their fellow classmates from acting up and pretending like they were in elementary school, but their work ethic is encouraging those around them to do what has been asked.

Thank the LORD for these two.
We'll see how it goes...