Junior High School called and it wants its hurt feelings back. 

Oh, Middle school. This demographic gets a bad rap sometimes, but I (usually) enjoy these humans, even though extra grace is often required.

This stage of life is challenging for most. Many kids ooze insecurity, hold grudges, exaggerate stories, gossip, bully, and think narrow-mindedly.

Hmmm… Sounds like some grown-ups, doesn’t it?

Those of us active on social media see this type of behavior daily. It is oftentimes a mean scene on the World Wide Web, and  in Junior High. Offense Gone Wild. Only, from my perspective, the kids aren’t as jaded as the adults and they forgive easier.

I was  unfriended on Facebook for not liking someone’s celebration post, for not inviting someone to lunch, and blocked because I left an organization. I was reviled for my Christian faith and shunned because of a misunderstood family dynamic. Ah… the fun of social media.

My internet and other “real life”experiences, trained me to tiptoe around certain people, to consider my message at length before I speak, post, or send a text or email. I find myself  worried that I might cause hurt feelings, even by the most casual-type of spoken or written word. I am a pleaser peacemaker and  I  fret that I may unintentionally offend these persons by just being me.

It is exhausting.

Most of us have experienced, seen, and yes, inflicted offense in life and online.  One of my favorite books is Unoffendable by Brant Hansen. Here is the quote from the dedication page of the book:

“To all those who want grace for themselves but struggle to extend it to others.

Wait: that’s everybody.”

God is funny sometimes. As I jotted down notes for this post, a discussion took place between my twenty-one-year-old son and me. He asked me to stop making  dentist and doctor appointments for him, he said he wants to make them from now on, and explained his reason. I was somewhat offended! My feelings, injured for a few minutes (because Mom knows best) until I laughed at the timing, and let the  hurt melt away.Continue Reading