Dear Pastor,

I am 14, attending a high school, and I need some advice from you. The issue that I am having is that I am visually challenged and I wear eyeglasses with very thick lenses to school. And whenever I wear my eyeglasses, the kids at school tease me, scorn me, laugh, and chat me. I feel embarrassed. I try to ignore their negative thoughts, but I am getting tired of it.

I have a friend who sometimes walks with me and because of that, her friends don't talk to her. They call me all sorts of names and make me feel unwelcome.

R

Dear R,

I want to encourage you to continue to ignore the students who are mocking you. I know it may be difficult for you to face such daily testing of your faith, but the important thing is that you keep focused and do well in your studies. Those who are laughing at you may not even be doing as well as you in school. If you ignore them and continue to study, you will prove that you were not a time-waster.

I am sorry to hear that you have problems with your eyes. I would suggest that you ask your mother to visit the school and speak to the principal and vice-principal or even the guidance counsellor and let them know what you are going through. Ask them to speak to the whole school during devotions about the matter. They need to know that their behaviour is affecting you and it is not good for children to tease you or any student who might have a physical challenge.

I want you to know that I will be praying for you. Do write to me again and tell me what progress you are making.

Pastor