I'm not sure how your day starts... I hope with Joe and me! 
Some days for me, it's a "wing & prayer" it seems! Recently, between you and me, I've been nursing some hurt feelings. Granted, I'm pretty sensitive which many people seem to have a hard time believing. I think you can be confident and sensitive too, but because it's not obvious I think, that can make me a target at times, as one may think "she can take it."
Kind of like what we were talking about on the air this morning, I'm a little like Taylor Swift in that I often think with my heart rather than my head! Last year, a girl here got her feelings hurt when the TV station we both moonlighted for let her go, but kept me. I tried to plea for her, but to no avail. Yet to date, she can still be a bully to me in the hallway! What could I have done? What did I miss? So I've made a fool of myself trying to "get her to like me again" until I finally I let go and just "take it on the chin." I think by now, not retaliating has allowed for a more peaceful existence and more than anything now, people are starting to see it's sour grapes. But it still hurts. More recently I put myself out there in a couple of different situations, one with family, one with a long time friend, thinking I was being absolutely selfless and in my vulnerability in doing so, have set myself up to be "crushed" by the cruel responses in each situation. Misunderstanding my intentions for what I believe, is a more typical worldly response. So instead of "right fighting" or (with the exception of sharing here with you right now), griping to others which usually has its own negative consequence, I am completely "giving it to God" as they say. I'm sure my silence may be also misunderstood, but I share simply to suggest the strength we draw from taking our eyes off our situation sometimes and looking above or to whom you gain strength. I find in withdrawing and plugging in to hear Him in our present situations, I may still be hurting this morning, but I don't feel the emotional challenge to walk through this day like someone who is hurt! I've made the choice to be happy regardless! In drawing away, I've gained better perspective and I know in my heart now, that the truth will ultimately come to light, regardless of anyone else knowing it or not! I am able to put my head on my pillow at night, knowing I've done my best!
How do you forward charge your day? My drive into work consisted this morning, with the most ear shattering, top of my lungs, worship with heart felt lyrics that washed over me like a tidal wave of confidence, peace and even a bit of joy, knowing that there is more in this life and if there is resolution, He will find justice for those who seek Him!
So as not to come off too preachy and know-it-all, just know that I felt prompted to open myself up a bit today, from some of what other's have shared with me lately... One person told me she has been feeling bullied at work, AT A CHURCH, saying she has tried to inform management of stuff going on with other staff, that is leading to some some big trouble, but now instead of using the information wisely they are giving her a very negative response.
Another story close to my heart, involves my little girl who by the way, felt under the weather this morning, but still chose to go to school so she wouldn't miss her math test! (Bless her heart!) And all the while, there is a little pack of 9 year old bullies that have been harassing her and a few of her firends, because my daughter and her friends, befriend a young girl with special needs! Can you believe that?! In this age of "different is cool" there is still that kind of discrimination! And this isn't a rough neck pack of kids that are being mean. Instead, it feels like one of those high school movies where there is a "Pretty, Popular, Well-Dressed Girl with her token side kicks, that repeat everything she says in a mindless echo!" The main bully's mom is really involved at school and she is well liked, however has no problem feeding her kid's narcissism. Now her little girl has set her sights on this dear girl who has no choice in her circumstance living her life with disabilities.
My daughter was in Brownies with this girl and took the opportunity to get to know her and found her to be quite lovely. This alone has made her a target to these "mean girls" that taunt and harass her and her friends, most especially the girl with challenges! Then she sits in silence while teachers praise the bully, with her pretend kindness and outgoing personality!
I pray everyday not to react, hoping not to negatively influence how my child will deal with difficulties that come her way. Yet I certainly don't want to teach her to be a doormat either, so what do you say? I've ultimately just reminded her that they will have consequences for their actions, but not to let them drag her down, so that her consequences can be positive ones!
Just when you wonder if they get it... Last night when our family prayed together at bedtime, my daughter prayed out loud that God would bless these girls! All of the girls involved in fact! That's all! Not an easy thing to do! Especially when even as a "grown up" you wish you could just pray something like ... "Dear God please bless that person who hurt me, when I did nothing wrong! I'm sure I had nothing to do with it. How can they see I'm totally innocent! I guess she only knows how to be an awful witch and I'm sure YOU can fix that!" Ah, yes, I appreciate how the student has become the master! My daughter schooled her ol mom on that one, shining her loving heart, deep faith and um.. maturity beyond her years! lol
Then I came in to work and saw this...
