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Will Smith
and son Jaden
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Today
in Sunday school we discussed the above question at length with class
members sharing when they have felt “left out,” alienated from
others, isolated or alone. Simply sharing these experiences and how
we felt about them took considerable time. In conclusion we
addressed the following question: “Ok, suppose you should feel
“left out.” What few words will you tell yourself at the time to
help you cope?
Alyssia
said she would say “Devil get behind me”…and would pray, “Put
a hedge of protection around me.” Deangelo said he would see it as
a “test of faith.” I said that “I would look to Jesus for
guidance….[that] I would tell myself “Never give up.” I would
aggressively challenge those making me feel “left out” with “Come
at me bro!” and when they did so I would say, “I want to get to
know you.”
During
our discussion we pointed out that a huge number of stories and
movies treat the “left out” theme. Some had seen The Karate Kid on
TV Saturday night and told how they were moved to tears when
12-year-old Dre Parker not only was able to be accepted by his former
enemies but fundamentally transformed their behavior. It was
remarked that from prehistoric periods mankind has been a social
animal driven by survival needs. Thus, being “left out” can hurt
deeply even if in some ways we can be in modern times more
independent—at least so in surface appearance.
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