No Teasing!
Read:
Romans 12:10-15
Memorize:
Love suffers long and is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4
How about you?
Do you know someone whose appearance is affected by a health problem? Or perhaps who has scars from an injury or surgery? Maybe you know someone who was born with a physical challenge. You can make life easier for that person by refusing to join in if other kids tease. Hurting kids by teasing them is a cruel thing to do. When you don't take part in that type of cruelty, you are showing the kind of love and behavior that pleases God.
Eric angrily kicked a stone, sending it flying along the sidewalk. He heard someone coming up behind him. Turning, he saw that it was Doug, one of his classmates. "You mad about something?" Doug asked when he saw how upset Eric looked. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, not much," mumbled Eric. He tapped his head. "It's . . . it's just that I'm so tired of having this bald head. So many kids make fun of me."
Doug frowned. "Having leukemia doesn't make your hair fall out, does it?" he asked cautiously. "That just happens because of the treatments, right?"
Eric nodded. "Mrs. Storm asked Mom to come and explain it for one of our health lessons next week," he replied. "She says the kids will get used to seeing me like this, but they still tease me." He bit his lip, struggling not to show how much the teasing hurt. "You never tease me, though," added Eric.
Doug smiled. "You look okay," he said as they reached Eric's house. "Want to come over and play with my race cars? Mom said it was all right with her if I bring someone home today."
"Sure," agreed Eric. "I'll just run in a minute and ask my mom if it's okay." So after getting permission, Eric went to play at Doug's house.
The boys talked as their little cars sped around the track. "Does it hurt to have leukemia?" Doug asked.
"Some of the tests hurt, and the treatments make me feel sick," said Eric. "And even though I wear a cap most of the time, I know I look funny with a bald head. When kids tease me about it, it just makes me feel worse." He stopped his race car and looked at Doug. "How come you don't tease me like other kids do?"
"Like I said, you look okay. Besides, I . . ." Doug wasn't sure what to say. Then he decided to just tell it straight up. "I don't want to make you feel bad, and Jesus wouldn't want me to," he said. "It's that simple."
"Well, I wish the other kids knew more about Jesus then," said Eric. "Actually, I don't know much about Him, either."
Doug smiled. "Let's go to the kitchen and have some cookies and milk, and I'll tell you more about Him," he said. "Maybe you could come to Sunday school with me, too. We learn about Him there. Okay?" Smiling, Eric nodded.
Don't tease when it hurts others