A Bully and a Miracle

Audrey Carter-Pacheco

Description

Like thousands of other kids throughout the United States, Rachael Peterson is the victim of a bully. What's unusual about this story is the uncommon way that she and her parents deal with this all too common situation. Loosely based on a true story, the Peterson family chooses to reach out with love and compassion, rather than acting in anger and vengeance. Lessons are learned, harsh things are exposed and transformations miraculously occur, as a family rides through the storm, coming out on the other end stronger than ever.

Sujets

• Fiction Jeunesse
• Juvenilee Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Xlibris US
• Date de parution: 24 février 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781796088199
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

A BULLY AND A MIRACLE
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audrey Carter-Pacheco
 
 
Copyright © 2020 by Audrey Carter-Pacheco. 801810
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
 
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
 
 
Xlibris
1-888-795-4274
www.Xlibris.com
 
 
ISBN:
Softcover
978-1-7960-8820-5

Hardcover
978-1-6698-6914-6

EBook
978-1-7960-8819-9
 
 
 
 
Rev. date: 02/28/2023
CONTENTS
Credits
Foreword
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
CREDITS
Managing Editor: Elizabeth Compton
[e-mail]
 
 
Author Photo by Jordyn Surmons
 
 
Thank you to my daughter who was the inspiration behind this book and mother and sister who supported me during challenging times.
FOREWORD
Being bullied is among the most traumatic things that a child can go through. Any who have ever been bullied knows of the inner anger it produces. Often times, the victim fantasizes on possibilities for vengeance, given certain tools and times which are easily attainable in his daily life. At the same time, he is also gnashing his teeth, knowing the consequences he would face for retaliating against the bully if he were to ever act on such fantasies. Getting oneself arrested and sent to jail wouldn’t solve any problems but create all new ones, which is that nibbling inner conflict any bullying victim struggles with constantly.
As one who understands this well, I was blown away to learn of how Rachael reacted to her bully, and even more amazed to see that it worked. From enemies to family, arch nemeses to sisters, because Rachael showed compassion to the one who once showed none to her. Isn’t that the way of the Lord, to show mercy to those who are willing to change and offer new life to those who will receive it.
Surely, the Lord’s hand is seen working throughout the story told within the pages of this book. Particularly inspiring for me was where Rachael, the child, has her initial chance to press charges and take her bully down, with the penalty her bully would have brought upon herself. Who wouldn’t want vengeance, but Rachael, against all common nature, chooses mercy over justice. Had she chosen vengeance over mercy, she would have destroyed her bully, without ever knowing that she had also destroyed the girl who would become her sister. It really gets one reflecting on why the Lord commands that vengeance is His and His alone. Why He wants us to defend ourselves when fighting is necessary but also to be compassionate and forgiving of one another whenever we are able.
If Rachael hadn’t claimed the inner strength to show that inhuman mercy, which no common child would’ve shown to their bully, she would have destroyed her sister along with her bully. And without ever even knowing her sister, to realize what she had done, had she chosen vengeance over mercy. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and His influence shines through Rachael.
Let her example show us the way we should all be willing to treat each other. With the compassion that the Lord shows to us, for none of us are without sin. We all nailed Jesus to the cross. If He can choose mercy over vengeance for us to give us new life, and Rachael can choose mercy over vengeance for the bully who made her miserable before they became sisters, then any who won’t follow their example can never call themselves strong.
Michael Morgan
Glendale, Arizona
January 5, 2020

CHAPTER ONE
The front door slammed, and Rachael Peterson raced past her mother in tears. She threw her schoolbooks down on the couch and ran into her bedroom, slamming that door as well.
“Rachael?” Mother called. “What’s wrong?” She hurried down the hallway and tried to open the door. Finding it locked, she knocked. “Rachael!” she said firmly. “You open this door and let me in. Right now!”
Mother stood there with one hand on the door knob. She heard reluctant footsteps coming across the floor, then heard the door unlock and heard retreating footsteps. Opening the door, she saw Rachael climbing back on top of her bed and start to cry.
Mother entered the room, and softly closed the door behind her. She sat down on the bed next to Rachael and tried to put her arm around her, but Rachael pulled away. “What’s wrong, honey?” she asked gently.
Rachael looked up at Mom through her tears. Mom drew in her breath when she saw the ugly, red mark on her daughter’s cheek. Her eyes narrowed, but she kept her voice even. “What happened to you?”
Rachael allowed her Mother to put her arms around her, and she cried for a while, finally feeling safe. Mom rocked her and let her cry it out.
Rachael’s day had started off like her days had for the last three weeks. She and her best friend, Nancy, walked to school together. They had laughed and giggled as they swapped stories and secrets. The girls walked into their classroom and Rachael sat in her seat, ready to start the day. The teacher, Mrs. Spencer, was busy at the front of the class, and wasn’t looking at her. The she came into the room. Taylor. Nasty old Taylor. She had purposely brushed up against Rachael’s desk, knocking her books on the floor.
“Hey, watch where you’re going!” Rachael had yelled. Everyone had looked over when they heard all of the books falling onto the floor.
Nancy jumped out of her seat, saying, “I’ll help you pick them up, Rachael.”
“What’s going on over there?” Mrs. Spencer called out. “Nancy Armado, get back into your seat this minute! I asked what’s going on?”
Before Rachael could answer, Taylor said, “I don’t know what her problem is. She’s a klutz. She knocked her own books down and started yelling at me!”
“That’s a lie! Mrs. Spencer, she did it on purpose!” Rachael said.
“Yeah, she’s lying, Mrs. Spencer,” Nancy added. “I saw her do it!”
Mrs. Spencer pounded her desk with her open hand.
“All right, that’s enough! Taylor, go to your seat and stay there. Rachael, pick up your books and stop this nonsense. Nancy, get back to your own seat and stay there! Mind your own business, for once! Class we have a lot to do today!”
“I don’t know why I have to pick them up,” Rachael muttered.