Most of my childhood I was obese. I was bullied and teased frequently because of it. To top it off, I’m 5ft1” so people tease and joke with me about my height.
A couple of times I recall someone singing to me the words, “short people got no body…short people got no body at all….”. Once when I was about to go on live television to give a speech as a teenager, the other was when it was sung behind my husband and I (my husband is short also) as we walked down a pathway together.
Bullying is very real and affects both adults and children. Words can either help you or really hurt you. Bullying words hurt so much that you become feeling unworthy about yourself and your self- esteem ends up being low. As I wrote “There Must Be Something More” from the musical Bully Overcomer, I tried to convey the feelings I had when I was bullied. The feelings of hopelessness, sadness, depression, loneliness. This is how Shazza the Emu felt when she sang this song.
Verse 1
There must be something more
To this life of mine
Why am I such a bore?
And dragged down all the time.
Verse 2
What did I ever do?
To deserve this ache in me Instead of feeling blue
I wish I could be free.
Chorus
Something more in my life
For my mind to have peace
Something more in my life
For the pain to finally cease
Ending / Verse 1
There must be something more
To this life of mine
Why am I such a bore?
And dragged down all the time.
The good thing is that this was not the ending of the story for myself or Shazza. We both found the “something more” in our lives. Jesus became our best friend at an early age and we learnt to trust Him. Remember I said that words can either help you or really hurt you? Well the words in the Bible can help us.
Psalm 46:1-2
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
NKJV
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” NKJV
Don’t be afraid of words that tear you down and make you feel awful; believe the Word of Life, Jesus, instead. Allow Him to be your best friend today just like how Shazza and I did. I may be still short but the GREATER One lives inside me which makes me so much bigger on the inside than any words that could be said to or about me.
Julie McAllan
Add comment