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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Avenue of the Giants



I remember the bell would ring and it was recess time_ playing
_the girls and I running from the boys_ swinging as high as I could go_ freedom. But there was a time when it didn't feel so free. There was a time when I was in 3rd grade that a particular 6th grader would hide by the girls bathroom to try and terrorize me and all the other little girls. I just remember him being super tall and he was the kid that was known for trouble….a literal giant. He spent most of his days in the principal’s office. Luckily, I had an older cousin who was in his same grade that I could run to for help. In 3rd grade this 6th grader was my giant. Now of course, that seems so small & insignificant now_ being pulled on_ grabbed_ scared by a 6th grader but isn’t that how it sometimes is. When you look back on something you’ve gotten passed_ it doesn’t seem like it was “that big.” 
It’s only that big when being in the mist of it…
when walking through it.
My son has a bully he has to face today at school.
He is in the 6th grade and the bully is in the 8th.
The bully has decided he wants to fight my son and has spread that to a lot of the other 8th graders. So while my son walks down the hall he is shown fists by the students_ told he is going to be beat up_ the bully stands on the sidelines at basketball games and stares at him.
This breaks my heart. As his mom I have all kinds of crazy thoughts that run through my head like, I want to go to the principal & the teachers
{I have emailed the teacher to let her know what’s going on}_
I want to have a conversation with this kids parents_ I want to even have a conversation with the kid himself…I want to know what his problem is and why he feels the need to mess with a younger student….but I can’t. I’m left to just pray this out and stand in the gap for my son….that’s all I can do…it’s really the best I can do. I can’t fight this battle for him. I want to so badly. I want so badly to fix it for him so that he doesn’t have to experience being made fun of or being hurt.
But I can’t.
My son is not a fighter_ he is sensitive to others and would never want to punch someone in the face…just sayin’. But he has to defend himself and know that he isn’t facing this giant alone_walking the halls alone_ sitting in his class alone_ He’s got the ultimate defender on his side.
This can only be learned on his own…by facing his giants.
In talking & praying with him this morning before school I kept thinking of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the furnace. When looking in the furnace the guards saw “4 people… not 3.”
And I thought of Daniel being thrown into the lion’s den. It says the lion’s mouths were shut…because “Daniel had trusted in the Lord.” I pray my Gray will face his giant and there will be 2 people seen there…. And that in the end the lion’s mouth will be shut_ why? Because he trusted
Are you facing any giants today?
Our God is great and nothing is too big for Him…


Linking up with Casey



Heather :)

10 comments:

  1. Heather,
    This breaks my heart. Any mother can empathize with your pain as you watch your son face this giant. I am praying for you and for you son. I am also praying for the bully. I want him to realize that his need for intimidating others is a weakness not a strength. Love you girl.
    Katie

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  2. Ugh, give me names I will march over there myself! this makes me sick to my stomach. So thankful you and your son know the only who can rightfully fight this battle for you. Praying, praying, praying for you sweet friend!!

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  3. This was a hard one to read (harder for you to live I know). I recently had a class on abuse (upcoming in a post) and this just hits pretty close to home right now. My 5 year old has a "friend" that is 7 that "picks" on him. I hate it. I don't ever want him to suffer someone's cruelty, but we all seem to in some way somewhere in life. It is good to be reminded that they must fight their own battles but dang it is so hard!

    Praying for your boy today that he feels God's strength within him.

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  4. Oh i just got goosebumps. That is a tough age, and that situation doesn't make it any easier. I'm praying for ALL of you!

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  5. Oh I hate this! Our crew will be praying for Gray.. and you and Jode...(that he keeps his "inner Bub" under control) So thankful for a God who is aware of what is happening and will ultimately use this in his life. ~sigh...it still stinks though.

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  6. What a beautifully written post! I never had an issue with bullies...but I have a giant these days.... uncertainty. I am looking to the future....looking for answers..for the path to be clearly lit up for me...not the way it works sadly. It takes trust. This is my giant!

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  7. this hurts to read. i'm sorry for your son, but what a blessing that he has you to walk through this with him. i'll pray for him.

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  8. Oh Heather, I just now sat down to read this. I am so sorry he has been dealing with this. That is just horrible. I know that at Gianna's school there is a very strict zero tolerance rule for bullying. I hope that you contacting the teacher does something about it. I am so sad for him, it's already tough being the new kid, but to be the new kid in middle school and deal with this too. ugh. I will be praying for him.

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  9. This is such a powerful post, I couldn't take my eyes away from the screen. It is so sad to see the giants that kids have to face today. I pray that your son is strong and God protects him through all of this. It's crazy to look back at the giants I have faced-at the time they seemed so big and now they are little memories that have only made me stronger.

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  10. Heather thank you for emailing this to me! Such an inspiring post--It has taught me so much--WE will face giants in our life--but Im just thankful that we have GOD on our side and he never lets anything happen to his children -- Im passing this on to all I know! XOXO

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