"I just think about beating them to the ground, but then I just ignore them," says Ben, age 11.
You're refreshingly honest, Ben. There are times when we're tempted to flatten mean people. In our day, you can hire an attorney to do the flattening. There's a line in Scripture that says, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). In certain situations, ignoring a persistent bully may be all you can do.
Showing grace to mean people doesn't always mean ignoring someone or backing down, says John, 9: "The other day, my sister pushed me off my bike. So I told her to stop, and she did."
My natural tendency is to avoid conflict. It's easier. Much wisdom is needed to know when to confront and when to walk away.
"Being mean seems like a way to get respect," says Kerri, 10, who is wise beyond her years. Apart from God's grace, we build our little fortresses of meanness around wounds we've suffered. We'll hurt others before we let ourselves get hurt again.
"You kind of feel sorry for mean people because nobody wants to be their friend," says Taylor, 10. Yes, your own peace of mind will increase if you can receive God's grace to look at mean people with compassion, Taylor. Often, they are living in isolation behind walls they've erected to protect themselves from the emotional wounds they've suffered.
"God showed grace to everyone even if they were as mean as a snake. He loved everyone and treated everyone equally with loving kindness," says Megan, 11.
Understanding that God loves everyone the same is the key to showing grace to a mean, defensive person. Experiencing God's love brings us into a larger place where we can live beyond our natural tendency to return evil for evil.
If Jesus had returned evil for evil, he never would have allowed himself to be crucified. Legions of angels were waiting for orders. Instead of a command to attack, the angels heard a prayer: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
"Jesus still loved them, and he forgave them," says Mary, 11. "We should forgive those who trespass against us. Sound familiar?"
Yes, it does. In what has become known as the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught his disciples to pray, "Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us" (Matthew 6:12).
Jesus' death and resurrection secured eternal life for all who have trusted him as their savior. However, walking in harmony with God requires that we confess our sins to God and extend the same forgiveness to others that we have received.
Receiving God's forgiveness is not only the foundation for forgiving mean people, but it's also the basis for returning good for evil. Christians have been forgiven a much larger debt than anyone will ever owe them.
"Even if people are not nice to you, you should still show grace to them because that's what Jesus would do," says Jessica, 11. You're probably thinking about W.W.J.D. (What Would Jesus Do?). Thinking what Jesus would do will take you a long way, but I suggest going further.
Try W.I.J.D. (What Is Jesus Doing?). When Jesus returned to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower his people. Every Christian who truly follows Christ lives by the same Spirit that empowered Jesus when he walked on the Earth.
Point to ponder: It's easy to show kindness to the kind, but only God's grace can prompt you to return good for evil.
Scripture to remember: "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).
Question to consider: What is Jesus doing through you to show his grace to mean people?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Miami's People
It’s hard to be a sports fan of any kind without having a favorite player. Typically, this favorite player is one of the stars, a person who shines brighter than most others. For Miami Heat fans, a favorite player is Dwyane Wade. A man who entered the NBA with little expectations, Wade has turned into one of the greatest players in the game. Lighting a spark under the Miami Heat, he is one of the reasons they get hot.
Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. was born on January 17, 1982 in the south side of Chicago. Though the spelling of his name is odd, it is pronounced “Dwayne,” a pronunciation that has left his name misspelled on numerous occasions. Following in the foot steps of Michael Jordan, a childhood hero of his, Wade has solidified himself as one of the NBA elite, a man of style, skill, and great un-expectations. In 2006, He was named Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated and, after averaging 34.7 points per playoff game, he was awarded the MVP trophy in the 2006 NBA finals. His jersey was also the number one selling NBA jersey for two years in a row.
Nicknamed “Flash” and “D-Wade,” Wade plays the shooting guard position. With a subtle quickness, he is a hard player to guard and even a harder one to stop. If he’s not scoring baskets, as he averaged 27.2 points per game last season, he’s assisting in them. He’s poise under fire and ability to perform when his team needs it most have given him a reputation as one of the league’s best clutch players. The only weakness in his game seems to be his 3 point shooting. Shooting only 17.1 percent from long range, Wade is not too threatening behind the line. Inside of it, however, he’s nearly unstoppable.
Outside of the gym, Wade has been making a name from himself by appearing on late night talk shows and endorsing products. He has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman as well as Live with Regis and Kelly. He also endorses Gatorade, Sean John, Converse and Topps. In 2005, showing he has style on and off the court, Wade was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in People’s Magazine. This was followed, in 2006, by Wade being named the NBA’s best dressed player by GQ Magazine.
In his personal life, Wade is serious about his Christianity, rumored to have chosen the number 3 because of the Holy Trinity. He also donates ten percent of his salary to a Chicago church. Stating that he has only had one serious girlfriend in his entire life, Wade married his high school sweetheart in 2002. He and his wife have a son named Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade.
Though the 2007 season has seen Miami be mediocre at best, any team that has a Dwyane Wade can never be counted out just yet. If he gets hot, the Miami Heat could spread like wild fire.
Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. was born on January 17, 1982 in the south side of Chicago. Though the spelling of his name is odd, it is pronounced “Dwayne,” a pronunciation that has left his name misspelled on numerous occasions. Following in the foot steps of Michael Jordan, a childhood hero of his, Wade has solidified himself as one of the NBA elite, a man of style, skill, and great un-expectations. In 2006, He was named Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated and, after averaging 34.7 points per playoff game, he was awarded the MVP trophy in the 2006 NBA finals. His jersey was also the number one selling NBA jersey for two years in a row.
Nicknamed “Flash” and “D-Wade,” Wade plays the shooting guard position. With a subtle quickness, he is a hard player to guard and even a harder one to stop. If he’s not scoring baskets, as he averaged 27.2 points per game last season, he’s assisting in them. He’s poise under fire and ability to perform when his team needs it most have given him a reputation as one of the league’s best clutch players. The only weakness in his game seems to be his 3 point shooting. Shooting only 17.1 percent from long range, Wade is not too threatening behind the line. Inside of it, however, he’s nearly unstoppable.
Outside of the gym, Wade has been making a name from himself by appearing on late night talk shows and endorsing products. He has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman as well as Live with Regis and Kelly. He also endorses Gatorade, Sean John, Converse and Topps. In 2005, showing he has style on and off the court, Wade was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in People’s Magazine. This was followed, in 2006, by Wade being named the NBA’s best dressed player by GQ Magazine.
In his personal life, Wade is serious about his Christianity, rumored to have chosen the number 3 because of the Holy Trinity. He also donates ten percent of his salary to a Chicago church. Stating that he has only had one serious girlfriend in his entire life, Wade married his high school sweetheart in 2002. He and his wife have a son named Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade.
Though the 2007 season has seen Miami be mediocre at best, any team that has a Dwyane Wade can never be counted out just yet. If he gets hot, the Miami Heat could spread like wild fire.
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