Teatopia

A Lesson Learned

Something interesting happened yesterday. I realized that everything has its place and purpose, and I need to remember to always trust God. Not everything is within my understanding.

Remember the boy who wrote that I was fat and not pregnant and that Hitler was the father of my baby? (This was just before all hell broke loose with the other boy and his death threats). I was so angry that nothing happened to him for what he did. I was told not to take it personally and ignore it, which I thought was wrong because it was disrespectful. Well, it may have been God's plan. Yesterday, that little boy sat at the lunch table and cried all through lunch. Another teacher went to talk to him, but he didn't want to talk, so I ignored it and didn't give it another thought. But when it was time to leave, he just sat there, crying so hard he could barely move. You know the kind of hurting that immobilizes you? Well, that was the kind of pain on this boy's face. Immediately, my heart softened (even though he called me fat) and I put my arm around him, asking him to please tell me what's wrong. He was crying so hard I had trouble understanding him, but he managed to say that everything was wrong-- that he hated everything about his life. Then, some other students came up and told me that they thought the problem was about his lunch. I looked puzzled, so they explained that he never has his lunch money and they won't let him charge any more lunches on his account, so they'll only give him PB & J sanwiches and milk and that he hates them. I hadn't realized this was going on. I have noticed that he doesn't always eat. I ended up learning what was so wrong with his life:

-- he's embarrased that he isn't given a real lunch and sad that his mom won't give him money, and won't sign the form for free lunch.

-- there are 7 children in his family, all with different fathers, and his is the only father not involved. The other siblings get money and presents from their dads, but his hates him and tells him he wishes he were dead.

-- the other kids tease him all the time and tell him he smells, and when he tells his mom, she hits him and tells him it's all his fault.

-- he has no friends and no one at home cares about him.

-- his step-dad is mean to him and makes him do things he shouldn't do

This little boy is dangerously depressed. He's the type who commits suicide, and getting suspended for what he wrote to me might've been just the thing to push him over the edge. It made me realize that sometimes God sees more than I do. This little boy is hurting-- more so than I could ever imagine. So instead of being angry about him not receiving a consequnce, I think I have been given an opportunity to make some difference. So, I made him a goodie bag with school supplies and some snacks, for which I got a hug and a smile-- the first I've seen. And you know what? Today was one of the first days he did his work. Maybe some love is all it takes. Maybe I have been so caught up in the lack of discipline at my school, I have forgotten where some of these kids come from. Now don't get me wrong, the still think that discipline is slack here and some of these kids really are dangerous, but maybe in this one case, God knew better.

Last night, I cried for this little boy and thanked God that my daughter is so loved already. I will live and breathe for her, and some of these kids don't even have food.

Posted by Hannah at January 27, 2006 03:53 PM