“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
— Mark 12:31
Brynn hated using the mirror in the school bathroom. The light gave her skin a funny color and every spot and blemish showed.
She was so busy looking at herself that she barely noticed the girl who had come in. A strange movement in the mirror caught her attention. What’s she doing? The girl wore a cute hat that fit close around her head. When she twisted it in place, Brynn saw under the brim.
Did I imagine it? she wondered. Then she knew she hadn’t. The girl was bald!
Just then, Brynn realized she’d been caught staring. Red crept into her face. There I go again — forgetting how someone else might feel.
Picking up her books, Brynn turned to leave, but something clicked in her mind. The girl with cancer. She had just changed her schedule to come into two of Brynn’s classes.
Everyone had been talking about the girl and how she was taking chemo. Someone said she had lost all her hair. The rumor must be true.
As Brynn turned back, she looked in the mirror in time to see a tear roll down the girl’s cheek. Other tears followed. The silent weeping made Brynn feel miserable. Should I say something? Or pretend I don’t notice?
For a moment, Brynn stood there, trying to decide. The girl acted as if she didn’t see her. At last Brynn spoke. “I’m Brynn. What’s your name?”
The girl’s lips quivered. “Yolanda. Yolanda Garcia.” Leaning down, she turned on a faucet and splashed cold water on her face. “I’ll be all right,” she mumbled.
But Brynn felt sure Yolanda was just trying to be brave. “I don’t know what’s wrong, but can I help?”
Yoland turned to face her. “Help? I wish you could.” If the words hadn’t sounded so hopeless, Brynn would have thought the girl was bitter. Instead, she seemed ready to give up.
“What’s wrong?” Brynn asked.
As if unable to stand up anymore, Yolanda braced herself against the sink. Brynn waited while Yolanda drew a ragged breath. “Some boys found out — ” she struggled to speak. “They found out I’ve lost my hair. When I walk through the hall, they come up behind me and pull off my hat.”
“Oh no!” Yolanda’s pain pierced Brynn’s heart. “Can I help?”
It’s easy to feel sorry for someone. It’s a lot harder to put yourself in their shoes and try to find a way to help. That takes courage.
More to Explore: 1 Corinthians 16:14
Girl Talk: Have you ever seen a girl who looked upset, but you didn’t say anything because you were afraid to ask what was wrong? Next time that happens, see if you can lend a helping hand!
God Talk: “Jesus, it’s so easy to be selfish and think only about myself. Sometimes I need your help and sometimes I need to see what is happening to the people around me. Help me love them with your love and find practical and creative ways to help. Amen!”
From Girl Talk by Lois Walfrid Johnson