As the weather is turning, the action is picking up in our backyard.
After months of too much television, the neighborhood kids are finally out and about, throwing footballs, shooting hoops and playing Capture the Flag.
They are happy, and so are their moms.
Except that is, when preadolescent skirmishes, silly arguments, and occasional bullying takes place.
I remember one such incident all too well from last year. A very large, strong, 15 year-old boy decided to put all the younger boys into a “Full Nelson.” (If you aren’t familiar with the term, it basically consists of one person pinning another’s shoulders back with all his strength, while lifting him off the ground for an excruciating affect.)
I didn’t see it happen, but the cry of pain coming from my 4th grader revealed everything.
Being the conflict avoidance gal that I am, the last thing I wanted to do was to confront the son of a neighbor I love dearly. But just as a lioness protects her cubs at all cost, there was nothing that could have stopped me from immediately handling the situation, and the bully.
Ironic, isn’t it? We follow the Prince of Peace, but it is often hard to manage peace in our own homes, workplaces, and backyards. People are people, and as a result, we really have our work cut out for us in trying to get along.
Jesus must have understood this well.
Listen to Max Lucado…
Maybe there are no magic answers. Getting along with others doesn’t always come easy. But regardless, I guess we need to begin by loving them.
P.S. The bully I lovingly had to confront has become a special buddy, both to me and my son. (And the younger neighborhood kids are breathing a bit easier these days.)
After months of too much television, the neighborhood kids are finally out and about, throwing footballs, shooting hoops and playing Capture the Flag.
They are happy, and so are their moms.
Except that is, when preadolescent skirmishes, silly arguments, and occasional bullying takes place.
I remember one such incident all too well from last year. A very large, strong, 15 year-old boy decided to put all the younger boys into a “Full Nelson.” (If you aren’t familiar with the term, it basically consists of one person pinning another’s shoulders back with all his strength, while lifting him off the ground for an excruciating affect.)
I didn’t see it happen, but the cry of pain coming from my 4th grader revealed everything.
Being the conflict avoidance gal that I am, the last thing I wanted to do was to confront the son of a neighbor I love dearly. But just as a lioness protects her cubs at all cost, there was nothing that could have stopped me from immediately handling the situation, and the bully.
Ironic, isn’t it? We follow the Prince of Peace, but it is often hard to manage peace in our own homes, workplaces, and backyards. People are people, and as a result, we really have our work cut out for us in trying to get along.
Jesus must have understood this well.
Listen to Max Lucado…
On the last night of his life Jesus prayed a prayer that stands as a citadel for
all Christians:
“I pray for these followers, but I am also praying for
all those who will believe in me
because of their teaching. Father, I pray
that they can be one. As you are in me and I am in
you, I pray that they can
also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me.”
(John
17:20)
How precious are these words. Jesus, knowing the end is near,
prays one final time for his
followers. Striking, isn’t it, that he prayed
not for their success, their safety, or their happiness.
He prayed for their
unity. He prayed that they would love each other.
Maybe there are no magic answers. Getting along with others doesn’t always come easy. But regardless, I guess we need to begin by loving them.
P.S. The bully I lovingly had to confront has become a special buddy, both to me and my son. (And the younger neighborhood kids are breathing a bit easier these days.)
I enjoyed reading this entry. Thank you for sharing.
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