Once upon a time, the millennial “sons of Adam” and “daughters of Eve” lived far simpler lives. They fought over if Britney/Christina or Backstreet Boys/NSYNC were the absolute best. They watched music videos on a television show called TRL. Every Friday night, their parents would take them in their cars to Blockbuster Video, in hopes of getting the best of the new releases on VHS.
I was in elementary school during this era in the late 90’s and early 2000s. In the fourth grade, I got detention for the first time ever. This first detention was a moment where things began to change for me and not in such a good way.
There was kid in my class named Clayton. I do not remember much about him, except that he was somewhat of a bully and called me names. I managed to ignore his actions most of the time. Other than a few instances in school early on, I did not attempt to physically react to anyone who was mean to me.
Until one day, out of the blue, I did something completely unexpected, even for me.
“Can I do something?” I asked my teacher, Mrs. Rowels, as I raised my hand, and then lowered it again.
“Of course, Jacob!” Mrs. Rowels replied.
I rose from my seat and walked across the room. I walked over to the table where Clayton was sitting. I then hit him on the top of the head. Shocked, Mrs. Rowels told me to go to the principal’s office immediately.
Other than in kindergarten the first time around, I had never been to the principal’s office for any disciplinary reason at all. I always did my homework and had good grades. I may not have had a lot of friends, but I always had my nose in a book, reading constantly even while walking to the school bus.
Yet, I was in trouble. Not too long afterward, I got detention another time. Then, in the fifth grade, I got detention twice in two weeks. That summer, before I entered middle school, my grades declined rapidly, to where I was barely passing. Where I once could read a book a day, I no longer could do so. Then, in the ninth grade, the deceptive patterns of schizophrenia changed my life in every way imaginable.
I have not seen Clayton in almost 20 years. However, I have known many people like him. If you ever asked me about anyone who hurt me, it would not take too long for me to give you an answer. To shorten my response, I would likely say, “What year would you want me to tell you about?” Over the years, I have thought of all the ways I could verbally retaliate at all the bullies in my life and have somewhat of a a revenge. Yet, it is in these moments I have turned to faith, to forgiveness, and to thanking God I have Jesus in my life, to walk with me through every hill and every valley.
These are tense times in our world. From coast to coast, and sea to sea, everything is a mess. In one way or another, we have all been hurt by each other during this dire pandemic.
Who has hurt you? Who have you hurt? Who do you need to forgive? Who do you need to understand?
When the world says we are doomed, when each side and each group demonizes each other, we must remember the truth of Scripture and the supernatural power of faith in Jesus.
For, in the words of someone from a beloved children’s movie, faith is a gift that is always there, for those willing to receive it.
“Faith is a blue bird, we see from afar. It’s for real and as sure as the first evening star, you can’t touch it or buy it or wrap it up tight but it’s there just the same, making things turn out right.”
Hitting someone “upside the head,” fighting with them on social media, engaging in any form of violence, screaming at people in a supermarket won’t change anything for the better. Though we want justice and revenge, both are only God’s to give. It is “patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control” that will enable us through Jesus to forgive anyone. Even if they don’t change, we will, and in turn, the world will be better because of it.
Until Next Time,
Jacob McGowen
The Adventures of A Warrior 