Monday, May 24, 2010

Best Friends

I’d like to tell you about a girl I’ll call Cathleen. I knew her in primary school when I was around 10 or 11 years old. I saw her as a friend and we hung out together in her group.

She was the alpha. She was tall. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in a golden shimmer. All the boys liked her so she learned early in her young life how to wield her power. I was short and all my friends told me I was ugly. I didn’t have Cathleen’s confidence. I think she only tolerated me because her best friend, Rachael, was also my best friend.

Then one day I did something wrong. I have no idea what it was. Perhaps I finally stood up to Cathleen’s continuous put-downs. Whatever it was, she didn’t like it. By the end of the week the entire school was against me.

My best friend didn’t want to get involved. She didn’t want to get caught up in a tug-o-war. I didn’t blame her - much. I knew if she tried to defend me she’d also get torn to shreds. She did offer what she could and I took that small offering because I had nothing.

Years later I realised that it was Rachael who influenced me the most. Her friendship had made the difference. It was the life-line that made it possible to bear all the hate.

Rachael’s friendship is the kind we offer God. It’s weak, it doesn’t always stand its ground against hardship and we often try to keep one foot in our old ways and the other in our new. But God doesn’t judge what we can give. He accepts it with His arms out wide.

He will always be there for us. He will always be the friend we need, even when we struggle to be a friend in return.

Did you ever suffer from bullying at school? What got you through? How is God the perfect friend to you?

13 comments:

Susan Fields said...

What a sad story, but unfortunately so common - I'm glad Rachael remained your friend, even if she didn't get involved. God is the perfect friend in a lot of ways - I know he'll always be there, even if no one else is.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

It's so sad to think about my flimsy love for God.

Bullying--yes, every day in 2nd grade. My mom's listening and the loving way she dried my tears got me through.
~ Wendy

Sandy said...

Yes, I did suffer very much
from bullying. I attended a
school where a large percentage
of the kids were from wealthy
families. My family wasn't
poor, just not as rich, so I
was not accepted. I had a few
close friends, thank God. But
those of us who didn't rank
high with the rich kids just
suffered from much bullying.
It was very painful. My mom
and my Lord got me through.
I make it a point to tell my
son often that God looks at
the heart, nothing else. I
think he has so many friends
because he has listened to me,
as his friends are from every
walk of life.
If it were not for God I would
never have made it through this
thing called life-not then and
certainly not now. He is my
everything.
Bless you,
Sandy

Karen said...

Being very shy, I was bullied quite a bit in school...my family's unfailing support and encouragement kept me going...

How could God not be the perfect friend...He is always there, day or night...unconditional in love and grace...forever patient...and accepts me as I am...He KNOWS me and LOVES me regardless....

Andrea said...

Thank you for your prayers for MaryGrace!
Blessings,
andrea

Barbara said...

Wonderful encouragement for all those struggling with self image, and I know God sure makes the difference in our life. Thanks, and lots of hugs Barbara

Dorcas said...

So very true!

~blessings

Dorcas

Unknown said...

I was bullied a little bit in grade school but I was so naive it went over my head.

Thank God His love is stronger for us than our love is for Him!!!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Susan, that's so very true. With God we can trust he will never abandon us. He is such a wonderful friend.

Wendy, We might have a flimsy love for God but God accepts that love and doesn't hold back from us because we hold back from Him. He is so awesome!

Sandy, I'm surprised how many people have said they were bullied in school. It's such a terrible thing and it really does have an impact on our lives. I didn't grow up in a Christian family and when I was bullied I didn't know God. You were so fortunate to have that rock solid foundation. And mums can be so special at times like that as well.

Karen, what you said about God's friendship is so true and well said. Too often we forget God's perfect friendship and ability to support us when we have to face any kind of hardship.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Andrea, still praying for MaryGrace

Barbara, God makes all the difference in our lives. I really can't imagine my life without Him.

Dorcas, blessings to you too. Hug.

Alisa, I soo wish I'd been naive. I wish it didn't affect me. You were truly blessed. And yes, thank the Lord His love for us is greater than our love for Him.

Anonymous said...

Yup. I was bullied all of the time.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm beginning to think that everyone who got bullied is also a writer, artist or thinker...

Cristi said...

What an eye opening lesson. I actually had something like this happen to me as a child but my BFF did not stay my friend. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Cristi