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| I Told You - - I Don't Like Change ! |
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Gloria and Ann ( a true story)
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Gloria was a Mean Girl and Her Words hurt
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My first grade teacher asked my reading group to arrange our small chairs in
a circle at the back of the room. I sat between Gloria and Ann. Gloria leaned
across me and spoke to Ann in a voice loud enough so I could hear.
She said, “Do you like Hazel?” Ann replied, “Yes.”
Gloria laughed and forcefully said, “I don’t like her at all. In fact I hate
her.”
I felt like crying! The color in my face drained and so did my spirits! Even
though I had been taught not to hit, I was tempted to slap Gloria’s face!
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| Attitude is a Choice |
In my six year old mind, I knew I had a choice. I quickly decided that I
would pretend that I had not heard Gloria’s remarks.
Those Sunday School
lessons on loving your neighbor had paid off! I would treat her with kindness.
Years later, I realized that Gloria had been teasing and joking. Some
families enjoy pranks and playing those ugly games, but it is not a good
practice.
Children can be injured by the words they hear and remember. Scars can be
left that often cause insecurity and feelings of rejection leading to emotional
and even physical illness.
“Dear Gloria, I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to learn to
exercise the practice of walking in forgiveness.”
“I HATE YOU!” Yes, I said those words once when I was very upset with my
Mother. Mother quickly responded and instructed me that there are some words to
which a person should never give a voice. The word hate is one of them. She let
me know that the person to whom I had spoken these words would always remember
what I had said!
Ouch! Thinking back I
still remember the first grade incident.
Mother continued, “No matter how much you beg forgiveness and say you are
sorry, they will continue to remember those words you spoke in haste.”
“Yes, Mother, I love you and I believe I have never told a person
since that time that I hated them.”
The Bible was Mother’s tool for emphasis. It made an impact on me! Mother
explained that the Bible tells us not to stay angry. While it is not a sin to
be angry, it is our obligation to make things right with the other person before
the sun goes down.
“Ahhhha Thank you dear Mother....”You taught me to forgive even when I did
not feel like forgiving! You also taught me to keep certain words unspoken.
So my friend, here is my challenge to you. Are you setting a watch before
the words of your mouth? Do practice telling those who are close to you that
you love them?
Do you use words to show your love even as you show love by your actions?
Take special care to use words of respect that build up and not words that tear
down relationships. Words can hurt or words can heal – it is your choice.
And, last of all, are you also acting out the Lord’s Prayer and forgiving
those who you think are sinning against you? Just do it! It’s a lot easier to
forgive the more often you do it.
