Learning the hard way

Today is the second last session of STAR program (Star Today, Act Responsibly) Aka bullying program. I came up with something really risky and if not handled well, it might end into a fight...

I had the children go into 2 groups and on each table is a mahjong paper. They are given the instructions to draw on it something beautiful, something they like...Some of them drew dragons, a logo, another a big heart. For that 5 minutes, they were busy drawing in silence. One commented, "Wah, your drawing is so nice." Another said, " I want to colour mine now." My mind goes, " Now I have to break the peace." No choice, I have to be the bad guy here.

"Ok kids, 1 minute more to go. " "HUH!!" So fast, I am still still drawing." A series of complains. I counted down to 30 seconds, "10, 9, 8, 7, ...3, 2, 1" Received with many grunts. After that, the dreaded instruction came. " Now, change seats with the other group." They were all unwilling and reluctantly went over to the other group. They started to warn the other person not to destroy their drawings or else... And the next instruction came, much to their fears, "Destroy the drawing." What began as a few minutes of hesitation turned into a war as one group see the other grp destroying their pictures. Tempers flared, eyes rolling.. Now, they have to go back to their grps and do something new with what was left - A mess of what they have done.

Life is as such, isn't it? We put in the effort to build and create something of our own and the next moment, somebody comes along and thoughtless destroy everything we have created in split second. They treat what we treasure as nothing to them and tear them up, leaving us broken and helpless and angry. But, we can create something from that mess if we choose to think out of the box and rebuild it into something new and beautiful. We don't let the broken pieces prevent us from doing a new work.

The lesson was taught - in the hard way. Yes, but it got through. The thoughtful eyes, for that 10 minutes and they lsitened intently to what was being shared. Now they have to give a snack to each other and ask for forgiveness adn reconcile, with the grace that God has given us.