LIVES WORTH LEADING
THE POWER OF GRIT
WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM A SIX-YEAR-OLD GIRL BY COLIN MCCARTNEY
I
t was 1960 and racism was burning holes into the souls of white racists and suffering African Americans. For the bully, the sin of racism distorted the beauty of God’s intent for them as His created treasures. For the oppressed, the sin of racism was a weight crushing their spirit at every turn. Segregation was not the solution, but tragically it was espoused and unfortunately celebrated in too many white churches in the Southern United States. Something had to be done. As it would turn out, the person God would use to bring about his grace was a little six-year-old girl. No black child had ever stepped foot in the hallowed halls of William Franz Public School in New Orleans until young Ruby Bridges broke the segregation barrier. Dressed in her pretty white frock, hair in pig tails, Ruby walked through a mob of angry, screaming white parents, past a casket containing a black doll. This was the daily routine, each school day, for Little Ruby Bridges. The New Orleans and Louisiana Police refused to protect her. Armed federal marshals were called in to keep the peace. When Ruby arrived into her classroom, it was empty. In fact, the school was pretty well uninhabited. No white parent allowed their children to be near Ruby. She was all alone. No students, no friends, no one. While the drama of Ruby Bridges was unfolding in New Orleans, Dr. Robert Coles, a Harvard graduate and child psychiatrist took great interest in what was happening. Coles volunteered to provide support for Ruby and her parents during this difficult time. He met frequently with
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Ruby having her draw pictures to gauge what she was feeling. At first, Ruby drew herself as a little black dot among a sea of large, highly detailed, white faces and bodies. As the weeks went by, Ruby’s drawings began to change. Her little black dot grew larger, wore a dress, and was magnificently detailed, pretty and black. White faces and bodies grew smaller until they were barely recognizable. Eventually the picture Ruby drew of herself took over the entire page, the white tormentors in her life barely recognizable. Ruby Bridges was a leader! She embodies what the Scriptures say; “A little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6) Ruby possessed a key core competency of good leadership. She had grit! Grit is something leaders possess when facing huge, difficult circumstances. Grit never gives up. It never flees from a problem. Grit doesn’t allow fear to gain the upper hand. Even when we expend our last drops of blood, sweat and tears, grit keeps us going. Do you have grit? One day Ruby had just finished walking through the gauntlet of angry parents. The crowd was about to disperse when all of a sudden Ruby came out the doors, looked at the protestors and said something that made them go crazy. The federal marshals had their hands full restraining the angry mob surging towards Ruby who had gone back into
the safety of the school. Later that day, Dr. Coles asked Ruby what had happened. He wanted to know what she said to the crowd that made them so upset. Ruby’s response tells us a lot about the source of grit she possessed. “Every morning my Mama and I pray for all the angry folks. This morning we forgot to pray for them. I just remembered that when I walked into the school so I went back out the doors and prayed; Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Grit is something we can’t manufacture. Grit is based on our faith in God. It’s Christ that gives us grit. Jesus said: “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” (John 16:33, The Message) The God who emboldens six-yearold girls with grit can empower you with all you need to lead well in life, at home, in your church and in our world. Need grit in your leadership? Learn a lesson from Ruby Bridges.
Grit is something we can’t manufacture. Grit is based on our faith in God. It’s Christ that gives us grit.
/ COLIN MCCARTNEY is an ordained minister, speaker, and a bestselling author. He is also the founder of UrbanPromise Toronto and now leads Connect Ministries in Toronto where he, his wife Judith, and their two children reside. To learn more about Colin, go to www.connectministries.org.