Bible Reading: Romans 12:18-21

James was quiet as the plane rolled down the runway. "Nervous?" asked Dad.

"No," said James. "Well, not about the flight. I was thinking about something you said. Are you sure everyone has luggage they carry in their lives? Even bullies?"

Dad nodded. "Bullies often have the heaviest life luggage of all. It's filled with rocks of hurt, sadness, and anger they can't seem to get rid of."

"But then why is Dylan--I mean, bullies--so mean?"

"Remember in the airport when you wanted someone to carry your luggage for you?" asked Dad. "Well, we can get so tired of dragging our life luggage around by ourselves that we try to push our rocks onto others."

"I try to be nice to Dylan, but when I do, he just gets meaner! Yesterday I asked if he wanted some help, and he called me a--well, it wasn't very nice."

"Some people haven't been shown how to be kind," said Dad. "Dylan is probably afraid of looking weak. He probably feels stronger when he acts mean."

James looked down. "Dad, sometimes when Dylan is mean, I just want to get back at him by making him feel bad too."

Dad nodded. "I know a lot of adults who hurt others back instead of learning how to love them better. Two bullies won't change anything." Dad squeezed James's shoulder. "I'll call the school when we get back and tell them what's happening with Dylan. In the meantime, you can give your anger and hurt to--"

"I know!" James interrupted. "My luggage carrier!" Dad nodded and gave James a high five. "You know, Dad," said James, "Dylan probably doesn't know that Jesus wants to be his luggage carrier too."

"You might be right," Dad said as the plane took off. "He needs someone to tell him--and to pray for him too. He also needs to see God's love in action--someone who will continue to show him kindness, even though he's mean in return. Maybe someday, with prayer and persistence, that will change."

Just then, something in the compartment above their heads shifted with a loud THUD! A woman in the row behind them gasped. "What was that?"

James tried to swallow his laugh. "Probably the rock from our backyard!"

–Kelly Carlson