The last few weeks have been a little hard off and on. I have come to a revelation of my own wicked heart in an area and it is not like I don’t know the truth about the matter, but it is that I didn’t want to see my daughter hurt. My daughter (10 years old) has come up against some persecution from a couple of girls in her class. From the beginning of the school year, these girls have shown themselves to be tools of satan, poking and pricking at my little girl’s emotions and confidence.
We all know that children without Christ can be as bad as adults when it comes to jealousy, anger, and all forms of rebellion. I remember this fact from childhood and I am seeing it at my daughter’s school. It is supposed to be a “Christian” school but that is really not the case. When you allow unbelievers to send their children to your school, then it is not a school that is doing a service for Christian families. They believe, wrongly, that by allowing the wicked to attend, they will be able to influence the children and possibly the parents with Christian principles. Maybe some of them will believe on Jesus. I have found, however, that it would be hard to believe on Jesus if there is a mixture of the world and the bible in the school and if the true gospel is not preached.
Back to the issue…
To make a long story very short, Brie has not been in physical danger or conflict with either of these girls who have been bothering her. It is more of a constant irritation and emotional unsettledness. Brie is different from them and they know it. She is of the Lord and they are not. Also, as a fact, God has given her physical beauty which breeds jealousy. She is beautiful inside and out and her teachers recognize her graciousness and helpfulness. I say this not to boast in anything I did, but to say that the Lord is doing a work in her even as a young girl. It is an awesome thing to see and to know that without God’s grace, I could mess her up big time.
In various times when Brie has spoken about these girls, I have wanted (in the flesh) to go and snatch them up and tell them to leave my daughter alone. Sometimes, I don’t see the things as being that serious, but they are to Brie so I want to take it seriously. It has been a struggle to allow her to handle things passively. She, at 10 years old, has been doing what Christ would have her to do and I, at 33 years old, have wanted to fight!
Needless to say, I have had to repent of my anger and I am learning so much from how Brie is reacting to these girls. I know she is doing the right thing by being a peacemaker and showing these girls grace. Every time something has happened the Lord has given me words to encourage her (after I get through the anger) and then He confirms His word in some other way to her. He is showing Himself strong in her life so that she is able to get to know Him intimately. He wants her to turn to Him for everything, as He wants us all to do. I thank God for what she has had to face, if it means that we will both be more conformed into the image of Christ.
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” -2 Timothy 3:12
2 comments:
Melissa,
When you said
"I have wanted (in the flesh) to go and snatch them up and tell them to leave my daughter alone."
I totally understand. As the protectors of our little ones we can feel helpless when this happens because our hands are tied in the physical sense. Obviously, God can do a lot in those girls lives but it does hurt.
I pray that God will continue to give you the strength, grace and wisdom as you raise your blessing.
DT
I do feel helpless. It is not a great feeling at times, but then when the Lord works out a situation, better (much better) than I could have done, I find that it is a good thing to feel helpless.
After the last incident, I talked to my best friend and sister in Christ. She didn't tell me what I wanted to hear, she reminded me that she would want her child (if she has any) to be persucuted and be humbled if that is what it takes for him or her to know Christ.
It is a humbling experience and a wonderful one at the same time. I also constantly realize the great responsibility that God has given to parents. There are so many ways that we can mess up. I thank God that we can trust Him in His sovereignty to help us in our times of need and give us the words to say to them, bringing His word to our remembrance.
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