Children

---

Christmas vacation flew by and Joshua knew that tomorrow morning he would have to go back to school. Fun and games were over...”Joshua, did you brush your teeth”?


“Yes, Mom and I put my dirty clothes in the hamper.” His parents wanted him to help keep the bathroom clean. At eight years old he could pick up after himself. He shuffled towards his bedroom dragging his pajama bottoms on the floor. Pushing the door open he saw his eleven year old brother Matthew using their play station. The game held him in a trance.

He did not even notice Joshua coming in. Missing a next level on his game he called out, “No, I almost had it”! Turning off the game he got up from his chair and turned around. He jumped when he saw Joshua! With a quick glance in Joshua's' direction he asked, “When did you get here?

Matthew answered, “Just came in,” with a whine.

“Oh Matt, I hate to go back to school. Maybe I can just pretend that I'm sick”.

“What are you talking about? Mom would never fall for that trick”!

“Matt, it's not really a lie...I mean my stomach hurts when I think about school”.

“Is arithmetic giving you problems again?”

“No Matt, it's not that.” He looked down at his bare toes avoiding looking into Matthew’s eyes.


“What's the mystery? If you have a problem, spill it!”

Joshua wanted to tell his brother, but he just felt so scared... “Do you promise you won't laugh? Do you promise?”

Matthew flopped down on his bed with his face starring up at the ceiling. His little brother must be in trouble. “Go ahead, I promise I won't laugh.”

Joshua swallowed the lump in his throat, took a deep breath and started his story. “A new boy is in my class moved here from Los Angeles with his older sister. Mrs. Taylor put him in the seat right behind mine.” He then paused, not knowing how to tell Matthew. “That first day I tried to make friends and told him I would show him around. All he would do is make faces at me and turn away.”

“Is that all? Joshua, just ignore him. If that is the way he wants it, two can play that game!”

“No, then he started pushing me around when Mrs. Taylor had her back turned. At first he just embarrassed me in front of my friends.”

“Then what happened, little brother?” Joshua now made things interesting and Matt wanted all the juicy details!

“My buddies started giggling and daring me to fight with Chuck; that's his name, Chuck. I told them I would get grounded for that!”

“Grounded? Dad would blow his top; you know how he feels about fighting!”

“Yes Matt; that is why I avoided being alone with him. Maybe he would find someone his size to pick on.”

“Guess that made him mad?”

“Yes, the day before vacation he corned me by my coat locker and said he will tear me apart the first chance he gets! Now what can I do? I hate him! Maybe I'll run away!”

Matthew motioned to Joshua to quiet down. Mom and Dad would hear him and start asking questions. “No, you won't run away. Don't be stupid! Tomorrow morning go straight to Mr. Jenkins, the principal and tell him everything. He'll put an end to this.”

“The principal, I'm no tattle tale!” Now he felt like he really might get sick...

Matthew faced him saying, “You will go and you will tell him everything or I'll tell Mom and Dad. Maybe you should tell them anyway”?

“No, I've got to do this myself. I can not take this anymore.” As Joshua tried to fall asleep he remembered a Sunday school lesson. His teacher said that Jesus loves everybody and He wants us to love our enemies. He did not love Chuck. He hated him! That night he tossed and turned and got very little sleep.

“Joshua, it's time for breakfast. You don't want to be late your first day back at school.” Quickly he dressed and went downstairs to eat, gathered his books and jacket, then rode his bike to school. As he knocked on the principal’s door his knees were also knocking.

“Come in.” Mr. Jenkins looked up from his work and gave a big smile to Joshua. “Well, hello Joshua, what can I do for you?”

“I have to talk to you, Sir.” Slowly he told his troubling story.

“Joshua, can you keep a secret?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Son, I am not surprised to hear your story. Chuck moved here right after his mother died. The year before that happened his father murdered a man and went to prison. His sister brought him to our town to start over. Last night Chuck told me about how mean he treated you. He promises to never do that again. Can you forgive him, Joshua?”

Now, he could understand. Jesus loves and forgives us. We can forgive, too. “Yes, I forgive Chuck!”

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE