Being a bully

  No one likes to be confronted by a bully! They intimidate, are cruel and insensitive, controlling and just plain mean. They make you feel scared and insecure and make the situation almost seem hopeless. 

     Did you ever think that this is the way Mary, our Mother felt, when she saw all of the Roman soldiers bullying and torturing Her Beloved Son Jesus? I know as a mother and someone who was bullied, it's torturous to see and feel. As a mother, I would have struck out in anger and protection if I experienced seeing or knowing my child was being bullied. As a child, I felt helpless and afraid. Keeping most of the torture to myself. Scared that if the bullies were reprimanded I would get it worse, so my parents never really knew. My only comfort was ducking into our church at Sacred Heart and pleading with the Little infant Jesus of Prague to help me and make them stop. The torture went on for years and I truly believe it messed me up with trusting people to this day. Being a bully is evil. It scares the soul in ways, that if not for a wonderful home life, could be passed down with anger and insecurity. Once I finally made it home, where all security was assured, I would go on with my day. But with the dread of tomorrow. 

     Thankfully, after years of this torment, I finally arrived at the age of strength to not allow it anymore. This went on from second grade to 9th grade. I guess my Lord figured enough was enough and I broke free from the chains my tormentors held me in for so long. In 9th grade, I started making friends with upper classmates and they came to my rescue as soon as they knew I was being bullied. Eventually, the bullies faded into the background and left me alone but the scars from the past still haunted me. I succeeded in moving forward, but the thoughts of the past were hard for me to forgive. Every one of those girls came to me later on in their lives and with heartfelt words told me they were sorry. All of them but one. I forgave those girls and made a vow to myself that if I ever had children, especially girls, that they would never bully or be bullied. I had a few run-ins with that concept but handled them. My girls are loving, generous hearts. This world has tried to steal them away in certain situations but they always come to the light. Control is a big issue in this world and we must all learn when to give in to the right way. God's way 

     Mary's heart and tearful eyes saw Her Jesus beaten, spit on, battered, whipped, but Her trust in God carried Her through. Our Jesus was bullied. Let us not bully Him by our sins. Let us always recall the most significant meaning of life. Love one another as I have loved you. 

     Don't be a bully.