Walk Away
By Julie Cosgrove
“Just walk away,” Brady’s father
advised when Brady asked him
how to handle a bully on the
playground. “Don’t give him the
satisfaction of knowing he’s made
you angry.”
“But, Dad.” Brady’s voice inched
up an octave. “He’ll call me
chicken.”
“But God will know you aren’t
one.” His dad laid a hand on
Brady’s shoulder. “I’ll tell you a
secret. Most bullies are really
hurting deep inside. Someone’s
been mean to them. So, they
lash out in anger to hurt others.”
“So I should feel sorry for him?”
His dad nodded. “Yeah. But that
takes courage and strength. A
lot more than punchin’ him back.
That’ll just feed his hate. Ask God
to help you to love him instead.”
“Seriously?”
Dad squared Brady’s shoulders.
“Yep.”
Brady scuffed his foot against
the carpet. “Yeah. I know. Jesus
says we are to love our enemies.
But it’s hard to do that, Dad.”
“I know. Trust me son, it doesn’t
get easier. I face bullies, too. But
it’s what Christ tells us to do.”
“How?”
“Walk away, each and every
time. And as you walk away, give
Jesus your anger and hurt. Once
the anger is gone, then your heart
will open so you can pray for this
bully.” Dad cocked his head to
make Brady look him in the eye.
“That, son, is walking in love as
Christ loved us.”
* * *
Too often, humans base their
actions on emotions. Anger is
such an emotion. But, love isn’t.
Despite what many people today
think, love is not just a warm,