Children
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BY COMMENTING
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
I was in the middle of the old town in Rhodes, Greece, shopping for worthless trinkets when I suddenly witnessed something that affected me deeply.
A little girl about four years old lost her grip on the stroller she was pushing. It tipped backward and hit the pavement. Thankfully, her sibling was strapped in tight, and he didn’t budge during the descent or the impact. What happened next, I will never forget.
The father, who was walking nearby, yelled something in Greek or Turkish. He then backhanded his daughter with full force. I stood there, stunned, watching it happen. The little girl didn’t cry, but she stood silent as her father adjusted the stroller. Then they progressed down the street. I sensed she was used to this kind of treatment. As they walked, he suddenly stopped and hit her again, knocking her to the ground. She slowly picked herself up and quietly followed behind.
I was enraged. Never before having witnessed this type of violence, I was unsure how to act, so I watched, and internally I pleaded, Lord! What do I do?
I looked around and realized that I was a lone woman in the back streets of a Greek city. Confronting this hostile man and interfering in a family affair probably wouldn’t be wise. I noticed that shop owners and locals also just stood and stared—one man shook his head, but then they simply returned to their work. Not one of them said a word, and neither did I.
I continued shopping, still greatly disturbed. Lord, what should I have done? I was sure there was something I could have done, but I didn’t know what. An angry outburst from me would have just fuelled the fire that obviously already consumed the man. As I thought about it, I started to get a sense of what Jesus would have done, and it’s something I can do, too.
I believe Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:39 alludes to the appropriate response to this type of situation. “But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. (NASB®)”
I’m sure I don’t understand all that Jesus was trying to teach in this statement, but knowing Jesus, it must have had something to do with stopping violence rather than encouraging it.
Next time, I won’t stand there wondering. I will interfere with the gentle statement: “Hit me. Hit me instead.”
I realize I may get belted for my efforts. Hopefully, instead, it will be such an unexpected act that it will stop the aggression. It’s a risk I’m willing to take. If I could go back in time, I would much rather have been hit than to have seen that little girl hit again, as I stood by and did nothing. Next time, maybe a peaceful and sacrificial response on my part will break the cycle of violence.
God created the word compassion, and it’s an action word. We are to be His hands, and an extension of His character and care.
If we will not, what good are we?
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 789 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Shari Weigerstorfer or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 789 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.