I said I was sorry

Tabea Keller

When I was in sixth grade, there was one girl who was always causing trouble and was bullying other kids. I usually stayed out of her way so I wouldn't get into fights with her. But I didn't feel good about it.

I talked with my mom about this, and she said I could pray and look for ways that would help. She explained to me that people who act mean on the outside often feel desperate on the inside. That helped me see that for this girl, acting up was sort of a call for help. Mom also said that she was God's child, like me. That wasn't really clear to me. Sure, I knew from Sunday School that God made everyone totally good—in His image. But somehow, to me, there were two girls—the spiritual and good one, and then this classmate.

On the school bus one day, this girl started picking on some kids and me, and called us a bunch of names. It got so bad that we got nasty back at her. I took part in it. Afterward, I didn't think that was so great, and I was upset with myself.

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