Her Goliath

Since kindergarten, my daughter has been picked on and bullied.  No one can ever understand why this happens. The truth of the matter is, it has more to do with the self esteem of the bully than it does any trait of the bullied.

Most bullied children have one thing in common, they show the bully that they have affected them.  If they see they have effectively upset you, they will continue to berate you.

I have continually tried to teach my daughter that she doesn't have to be afraid and should stand up for herself, or completely ignore it. Unfortunately, neither happened.

Fast forward to second grade.  I received a phone call no parent ever wants to get, especially concerning their young child.  My daughter had had enough when a girl in her class told her what to do.  She lost it!  She screamed out that she wanted to die because of said girl.

Now, she said she didn't mean it; That she was just upset, but my heart ached.  I prayed and cried while I watched her sleep that night.  There had to be a way to put an end to this.  We can't eliminate bullying overnight, so I had to find a way to strengthen her and boost her confidence.  I called my parish and made an appointment for her to speak with one of our priests.

The day came to see the priest for counselling.  We both went into his office.  He listened carefully and offered a lot of faith based ideas.  We ended the meeting with a prayer and she immediately felt better and more engulfed in God's love.

Then I found Superbook cartoons!  She watched the story of David and Goliath.  She watched this episode over and over! She still can't get enough of it!  If you don't know the story, David, a small but clever shepard boy, is the anointed one of God who defeats Goliath.  Goliath is the giant of the Philistine's army sent to take over Israel.  David  becomes king of Israel.

She came home from school a few days ago a completely different child.  Not only have her tormentors stopped bothering her, but she stood up to a bully in defense of another child! My little, quiet, fearful child has become like David!

I asked her if she was afraid and her response was why should she be?  She has God!!!

http://us-en.superbook.cbn.com/gizmonote/g106

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!!!