Day 15 of Lent 2020

Hate is such a strong word. I can’t say that I really HATE anyone or anything. Yes, I dislike a few things in my life or I might dislike what someone did to me, but I don’t hate them.

So how do some people actually hate others? It is something that I cannot wrap my mind around. My only guess is that the hate possibly stems from our upbringing. I am not a scientist nor did I do any research on this, it is just my opinion.

When a child is brought up in a loving and caring and respectful home, he/she will believe that is the way to act in society. On the flip side, if a child is brought up in a home where there are hate and conflict, he/she will believe that is the way to act in society.

Cyberbullying is a topic that I teach as the culmination of a week-long unit on Digital Citizenship. Children easily put the word “hate” into their vocabulary. ‘I hate broccoli.’ ‘I hate Math.’ ‘I hate yellow Skittles.’ So then, when they don’t like somebody, they easily say, “I hate you!” in a text message or Snapchat message.

I have often said to my students that, before I leave this earth, I want the cyberbullying and bullying to stop. They have to help me. The only way it will stop is if they don’t participate and treat everyone with kindness. Sitting in the safety of my classroom, all of my students agree. When they leave my classroom though, those sentiments leave their minds and hearts, sadly.

We have to pray. As Jesus says we have to, “forgive those who trespass against us.” That is difficult sometimes. Pray for those who have done you wrong. Pray for those who are against you. Pray for a change of heart. Only then will we be able to live a life of peace and joy.