Those such as these...

I'm a firm believer that there is no such thing as a 'bad' kid - just ones that need more guidance. If there are no bad kids though, why do some get into more trouble than others? Today, I had to discipline 3 students that - against their own better judgment - began throwing things at each other. They are all friends so I know they didn't mean any harm, but during school, this obviously isn't allowed. Speaking with all three individually, they all felt

a) I cared for them

b) I wanted what was best for them

c) the consequences were fair and;

d) giving them consequences was HOW I was showing them that I cared for them and wanted what was best for them.

On a more cosmic level, this seems to parallel the question "why do bad things happen to good people?" As adults, we are often blind to the wrongs that we do. We are also blind to the fact that tribulations - as difficult as they often are - serve to strengthen us and hone our character. Our lives aren't blissful - far from it at times. Speaking all to familiarly, it is easy to think 'why is God doing this to me?' instead of pushing forward and embracing our trials with the full knowledge that what we are going through will produce perseverance. That same perseverance in return will build character, and with character, our hope will be strengthened.

My students understood that discipline was a way for me to build their character, and for this I am happy. At some point though - if the reason for consequences aren't communicated effectively or if they are told enough times they are bad kids - they may start to believe that they are bad. Instead of an end result of hope being produced, despair is the outcome.

My desire? To lead students to choose the path that leads to hope. More importantly, to choose that same path each day.