PLAY FAIR...

Have you ever been bullied? Or, have you ever been a bully? You read/watch/hear some of the 'bullying' stories about school kids and these days we watch as people who have been 'bullied' by their governments/leaders have risen up and demanded change. No one should be bullied but...it happens.

My daddy was a roughneck, driller then drilling superintendent; we moved around...lived in some good places...lived in some not so nice places. My junior year in high school, we lived in a not so nice burg; rode the school bus a long way to school and I'm here to tell you, it was anything but a joy ride!

We had a couple of bullies on board every trip and these were none other than two girls...aha...named Poogie and Jo Anne (she had bright red hair). They were built like a couple of wrestlers and had all the trimmings. The entire bus was held captive for a round trip each school day...that was really awful...I prayed for the wings of an eagle...or vanishing creme!

Shame I didn't know what Christopher Robin told Pooh, "There is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." That would have helped me in those days...I guess I was like Chicken Little.

Jesus teaches us to love everyone, even our enemies...I wonder about bullies...

Robert Fulghum said, "Play fair. Don't hit people. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody." (Reminds me of what I used to say to our four little boys)

Do you find it difficult to 'hit' people? Hmm...actually there are subtle ways you know; words, looks, actions...some of us are experts.

It isn't difficult to play fair, or is it? Sneak attack when no one's watching; or perhaps it's more effective if there is an audience...more intimidating. All depends on how we play the game.

Is it easy to say, "I'm sorry" when I've hurt someone? I'm thinkin' it probably depends on my attitude.

I'm told that practice makes perfect...so, here I go...playing fair, not hitting people and saying 'I'm sorry' when I hurt someone. Practice, practice, practice while trying to be more like Him.
Balanced and Unafraid...