Kenneth

Kenneth

The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.

Exodus 14:14

Because heaven is not on earth, this imperfect world is filled with broken people who add even more brokenness. Counselors express the thought this way: “Hurting people hurt people.” But that is no comfort when we are on the receiving end of their brokenness.

I remember a student in my fifth-hour class who sat with his arms folded and his beautiful blue eyes cold and defiant. Even the newest teacher couldn’t have misunderstood his silent challenge. As a veteran teacher, I knew some rough days were ahead.

Sending up a silent prayer, I introduced myself on that first day of class. I explained the material the course would cover and then called roll. Many of the students preferred a shortened version of their formal names, such as “Chris” instead of “Christopher.” But when I read the name of the student with the defiant blue eyes, he insisted I call him by his full name: Kenneth. He quickly informed me only his friends called him Ken. Obviously, teachers did not fit that category.

Each class, Kenneth would meet even the simplest request with a penetrating stare and plain stubbornness. He would always wait until everyone else did as I asked before making his move. His smirk let me know he was complying only because he was ready to do so. Occasionally, he would nudge his textbook off the desk and onto the floor when I was trying to make an important point. The noise would disrupt the class, and his sarcastic “Oops!” would always draw a chuckle from the rest of the students.

I tried all the normally successful teaching techniques, hoping Kenneth would take an interest in some part of the course. But I couldn’t penetrate the wall around him. Talking privately with him did no good; he merely shrugged, and the same critical eyes would greet me at the next class.

Finally, I concluded only the Lord could change Kenneth’s attitude, so I decided to stop worrying about him and start praying. Even so, I wondered what would help dismantle that emotional wall. —SANDRA

Lord, when I’m hurting, I want everyone around me to know it. And, I confess, I not only envy those who have never known pain but also resent them. Help me to give my pain, whatever its source, to you.

Pain can either make us better or bitter.

—TIM HANSEL, SPEAKER, SEMINAR LEADER, AND AUTHOR