Everyone thinks about bullies, but the truth is not many people do anything about it.
Every day we cross paths with people. Some are good and some are bad, but you know who the greatest offenders are? They are the ones who don’t do anything. They’ve picked no side, and even more dangerous is that they think they have.
They watch from the sidelines as the battle unfolds hoping they don’t get blood or spit splattered on them. They might stay silent, just watching, or they might yell and cheer for one side or the other. They talk about helping other people. They try helping by talking about the problem, but they don’t do.
Bullying is not an issue to be talked about. Let me give it to you straight. Bullying is a heart issue that seeks to destroy another person. It is a tool of an enemy who wants nothing more than to steal the beauty of creation that is you and me.
One day a few years ago I was at a local restaurant with my family and my young nephew was playing in the play place while his Dad and I talked. Over my brother’s shoulder I saw my sweet buddy smiling so big and having so much fun. Kids are supposed to do this. It’s a play place. My nephew’s smile lights up my heart and I adore him.
His child like joy made me want to go in there with him but for some reason it’s frowned upon to have people my size jumping into the ball pit. As I looked up to smile at him, I saw my nephew’s situation change. He was smiling at a kid bigger than him and then in a second the kid shoved him so hard my nephew’s back slammed into the plastic wall behind him. I’ll never forget the look on his face. Innocent joy turned to fearful confusion.
I jumped up so fast my chair almost fell over behind me. I was instantly angry and about to drag that punk who shoved my nephew out of the play place by his neck and show him what shoving really felt like. Good thing my brother was there or I’d be writing this from a jail cell.
I was full of emotion. What the heck was that kid thinking? Who did he think he was? Someone I love was just hurt and I didn’t like it.
We handled the situation like adults should, but that moment has stuck with me. Innocent joy was stolen and that is never ok.
Every day we cross paths with bullies and their victims. You might even be one of them.
As Yoda said above, there is no try, only do. Bullying isn’t an issue we solve with legislation or in a group setting. Bullying stops because one person steps into a situation and saves another person.
You can be that person. Will you be that person?
Tomorrow, as you go through your day, I want you to open your eyes and ask God to help you see someone who feels like no one has their back.
Tell them you see them. Show them they’re not alone. It can be scary to step into another person’s pain, but you can do it. I believe in you. Let’s do it together.
Tell me the story of how you brought love where you saw destruction in the comments below.
Don’t try. DO.
