A PEACEFUL STANCE

I return to school, not excited one bit about it, but go nevertheless. It is my job and duty. I have reached one of those points where you don't want to go to work, due to being spoiled from having a very long weekend, and yet another long weekend ahead of me. When I arrive, nothing has seemed to change. The same jumbled mess that always tends to work itself out no matter what happens. Once again, I tag along with the chaos, add my own touch of it and make it through the day.

When I arrive, Mr. Samir was there to greet me with a smiling face. I could tell he was anxious to tell me something, but what it was going to be, I obviously was unaware. "Let me fill you in on some events from yesterday." I smile, excited to hear some the of the YLC gossip.

"Well, your boy Jude may have gotten his butt whooped by a girl yesterday. Supposedly, she was brooming (or what we call sweeping) the floor and hit Jude's shoes when he decided to let her know he didn't appreciate that. I guess throughout the day, they had both been exchanging words and this was her snapping point. She just started laying punches on his head while the teacher watched thinking they were just joking until she got him down and kept laying hits on him. I wish you could have seen it!" To fill you in on Jude a bit, this boy is the softest person on the face of the planet, who turns and runs when he feels someone is THINKING about hitting him. He is a very scared boy, but loves to talk things up like he is the best fighter in the world. Knowing this child makes it all the more funny just due to the fact of how much smack he talks, yet, will not even back it one bit.

During class, everyone was giving Jude fits about it, and he seemed to be down all day. It was almost nice to see him quiet for a change, and sitting there doing work. I asked him later in the day what happened. He informed me that he didn't want to hit her back, because she was a girl. "I don't believe in doing that," he told me. "I am not going to hit a girl." Well, knowing this boy, he is not going to hit a guy either, but I admire him for this. How many perfect Mennonites, when getting pounded in front of classmates, nonetheless by a girl, will just sit there and take it knowing he is going to be tested for it later. While being submerged in a culture full of violence and beating, it was great to see that one actually does have a peaceful stance in his life. One he believes in AND sticks to, even in the time of action. What a great gift to see in one of your students. Very possibly, I rubbed off on this guy a little bit. Hopefully, if this is the case, he will always remember the stance of a Mennonite that we have talked about in class, and may he continue to live a life of peace, staying away from the dangers in fighting and war. If he learns nothing else this year (I hate when teachers and others say this because it is very cliche) but, if nothing else is learned, I pray that he honestly can remember me for my peaceful stance in the world and continue to live this way.