Kind Words and Acts of Service

Okay, so I've noticed a trend over the last few years. This trend is that it is cool to hate on other people. It is cool to humiliate other, put them down. This trend results biting words, hurtful actions, and broken hearts. It has caused there to be a rise in kids feeling down about themselves. Not just children, but anyone affected by it is brought to have consequences of the actions of others.

Yes, I am talking about bullying.

I know bullies have been around forever and their is many a person who will say they are "anti-bullying". But are you really becoming part of the solution? Do you think of others less because of who they are? Because of their background, culture, accent, race, lifestyle? Do you "joke around" about someone else? You know, this is all bullying as well.


This is coming from someone who has been the person that has been picked on, had people speak cruel words behind her back, and just be flat out mean to her face. I've spent many a time crying, heartbroken because of a snide comment made. I've had to fight back tears in front of those that make them to pretend like I was strong enough. I wanted to retaliate, but knew it would never get me anywhere. I've learned that there is someone who has been there before.


I want you to go back in time with me a little less than 2000 years, to the city of Jerusalem. There was a man who lived there who went about doing good everyday, but was constantly humiliated, people tried to bring him down, and rumors spread. He was betrayed by someone he believed to be a friend, denied by those he spent most of his time with, and cruelly beaten and hung on a cross. Yes, I am talking about Jesus Christ. He was bullied worse than any person ever has been on earth. But did he falter and fight back? No. As Christ hung on the cross, he prayed and said to the Father, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Even after all that torture, Christ still loved those that cruelly treated him. We are to emulate his example, which means, those that wrong us, we must forgive. This can be hard. It is hard. But it is necessary to find complete healing. How do we set ourselves up to forgive? This is the big question that many have.

Honestly, I think a lot of has to do if we are willing to serve those that wrong us. When we serve them, we are truly following our Savior's example. He served every single person, whether they treated him correctly or not, he still served them. We must find ways to serve our fellow man.

We also need to remember that every single person is a Child of God. We are His sons and daughters sent to earth to learn, grow and obtain our bodies. We have all made one choice in common. This choice was to come to earth in the first place. Part of this, though, was that we would be tested and need to learn and grow. While it is wrong to be mean, we shouldn't be mean back. Even just a simple compliment may catch someone off guard.

A true end to bullying starts in the home with a mother and father that teach kindness to their children, that teach respect for others and to look for ways to serve throughout the day. It starts when kids learn how to receive and give compliments and as we are taught to stand up for what we believe in, but it is okay for others to have different beliefs. It begins with an understanding that every person is unique and beautiful in their own way. It will be reinforced as parents and adult mentors set the example. Speak kind words and show kind actions. That is what is going to end bullying. No amount of televised campaigns or talking about it, but through the examples that start in the home.

Look for ways to show others kindness as you go throughout this week. See how it improves your mood. Be especially kind to bullies, they usually have more problems that we know. Don't judge your fellow man, love your fellow man. Show the love that God has for each and everyone of His children through your actions. I know He loves you all.

I love you all!

Love,
Sister Mackenzie Esmond