Cross The Line.

You, like me, live in a hurting society.

Bold statement?

Why than do hurting people hurt others?

Ironically, you've become numb or even immune to the pain that weaves itself into the very details of your life.

There I was submerged in a grade eight anti bullying exercise.  The facilitator boldly announces, "cross the line if you've or someone you know has attempted suicide."

Steps softly shuffle across the wooden gym floor.

She continues, "cross the line if you've or someone you know self-harms."

Steps softly shuffle across the wooden gym floor.

And she states, "cross the line if you've or someone you know has been forced to perform a sexual act."

Steps softly shuffle across the wooden gym floor.

The exercise continues, as statement after statement is asked. And the tears release like a raging sea of emotion, engulfing each student wave after wave.

Finally she states, "cross the line if you've ever felt alone; called an offensive name; participated in sex-ting; bullied or been bullied; lost a parent to death or divorce; told you were a "bad” kid; or mocked because of your skin or religious beliefs."

Suddenly, every single person in that gymnasium was crossing the line, together.

And than she softly whispers, "where have we learned to become so mean?"

Written words couldn't describe the sheer pain and extreme heaviness exhibited in that gymnasium. It’s unexplainable. Instead, tears were sufficient in attempts to express an adequate emotion.

It's profound to ponder the question, why?

Why cyber or physical or emotional bullying?

Why depression?

Why cutting or suicide?

Why substance or sexual abuse?

Why....

Why has hurt become acceptable?

Why have we learned to be mean?

Everything in my being wants to yell, "It's not okay. Did you hear me? It's NOT okay!" And than, I cry....

You, I can assume like me, have been hurt. Furthermore, I can assume if I offered you more pain you wouldn't accept it. Honestly, who wants more? As one twelve year old reminded me, "it can stop when we acknowledge it. Because it no longer holds power when it's verbalized. I hope for a day when I am completely free!"

Hope. It’s one very small, yet powerful word. Because once you choose hope anything in life is possible. You, like me, can choose hope! "Yet I still dare to hope. When I remember this: the faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh each morning" (Lamentations 3:21-23).

 

I hope that one day kindness will be spoken before words of gossip or slander.

I hope that one day asking for help won't feel scary or frightening.

I hope that one day healing and restoration will be possible and bitterness and resentment will fade.

Finally, may you not just HOPE, rather may you respond and acknowledge the hurt to enable healing.

So, entangled in a hurting generation, what do you hope for today?

Let's choose hope,

Charlene