Lexi (who is 14 years old) explained to me how the bus driver stopped the bus in the middle of her route and yelled at her for ten minutes in front of all the kids because she was sitting on her knees while braiding her friends hair.
The woman, in anger, kept tearing Lexi down with unnecessary words and her delivery was completely uncalled for.
After Lexi calmed down and we discussed the dangers of sitting on her knees and bus rules, I asked my daughter a question:
"Lexi, want to do something radical?"
"Sure!" Lexi replied.
"How about you respond to your bus driver in LOVE because she was lacking it today! What she knew was anger and frustration. How about tomorrow morning you present her with freshly baked cookies and a hug!
You and I both know that she doesn't "deserve" it. But after all, isn't that what GRACE is all about?"
My precious daughter quickly replied, "Can we bake the cookies now?"
That next morning when Lexi handed her bus driver those cookies, the woman sat in disbelief because she knew in her heart of heart's that she over reacted in pure anger and foolishness. Yet Lexi humbly came to her, in love.
Trust me when I say, those cookies spoke a million words!
The bus driver asked Lexi, "Can I have a hug too?" ... And just like that, PEACE entered in!
Proverbs 25:21-22
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals (of conviction) on his head, and the LORD will reward you."
#TrainUpAChildInTheWayTheyShouldGo