Unbridled: Taming the Bully

By Sheila R. Smart

Its no secret that children yearn for acceptance from their peers. This was no different for twelve-year-old twins, Timmy and Lilly Wahl when they were whisked away from their calm, peaceful, and familiar surroundings to a new town, a new home, and a new school in Bridle Path. Yet they, unlike their peers, were faced with demanding challenges handed down to them by the class bully, Billy Ormsby. How did the twins learn to break the chain of bullying, bring the class bully to his knees, and strengthen the bond of friendship among them? Journey with the twins in Unbridled to experience Gods mysterious works and ways. Lives will be changed and saved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9781449726140

Sheila R. Smart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Sheila R. Smart has authored several inspirational books for adults and children, namely, Unbridled -Taming the Bully, My Moments with God, In His Presence, The Donkey’s Tale, Willie the Curious Panda, Jacob’s Well, How I Met that Special Man and Where’er the Wind Blows, a cornucopia of poems. Her writings have also appeared in magazines related to children and teen issues.

Book preview

UNBRIDLED

Taming the Bully

Sheila R. Smart

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Copyright © 2011 Sheila R. Smart

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

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A Division of Thomas Nelson

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Names used in this book do not relate to any known person, and any images used are for illustrative purposes only.

Cover art by Jaz Alexander, Artist, Waxhaw, NC

ISBN: 978-1-4497-2616-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-2615-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-2614-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011915518

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/17/2011

Contents

Citations

Acknowledgements

Preface

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Citations

Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, New Century Version copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. All rights reserved.)"

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version - Second Edition, Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission."

Scripture quotations marked (NCV) are from the New Century Version. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from "The Holy Bible New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Have you never heard?

Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God

the Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary

No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

He gives power to the weak

and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired

and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:28-31, NLT)

Acknowledgements

To my Heavenly Father who has, through the Holy Spirit, inspired this work.

To my wonderful grandchildren, Daniel Smart and Leah Smart, for challenging my thinking and helping me to understand the world of their peers. Their input has shaped the destination of this book.

To my son, Dr. Carl Smart and daughter-in-law, Dr. Danette Smart, I extend my gratitude for your overwhelming love and support.

I am equally indebted to Patti Wood and Lems Crooks for their support.

May God richly bless you all.

Preface

So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us . . . . If it is to encourage others, we should do it—(Romans 12:6-8,GNT)

These words have been the fuel that has ignited the inspiration for writing this book. Children are precious gifts from God, and Christ commands us not to hinder them from seeking Him. I hope that children’s minds will be opened to the breadth and depth of God’s unconditional love for them and His everlasting compassion to forgive transgressions. Accepting this will encourage them to seek Christ early, knowing that they can put their trust only in Him.

Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do….., (John 14:12, NRSV)

Be unbridled in speaking theWord

Be unbridled in confessing

Jesus Christ as Lord

Be unbridled in singing His praise

Be unbridled in adoration with your voices raise.

Chapter One

BRIDLE PATH

O Lord, Our Lord your greatness is seen in all the world—(Psalm 8:1,GNT)

Amid the backdrop of farms, green meadows, babbling brooks and far away from the maddening hustle and bustle of the big city of Brixton lies the spectacular farming community of Bridle Path, home to 1,500 farmers and their families.

Its meandering miles of pure grandeur screamed nature and tranquility from every corner. Towering oak trees with overlapping branches that moved in a graceful dance to the light touch of the gentle breeze lined the narrow paved streets. The flowering bushes expelled their exotic fragrances seducing buzzing bees, elusive butterflies and twittering birds alike. Adding to this alluring beauty were furtive squirrels that defied passersby with their come and catch me if you can attitude as they darted up large trees, skipping from branch to branch.

Adorning the picturesque scene were quaint white-washed exterior farmhouses boasting lush green manicured front lawns and beautifully laid-out gardens. The explosion of variegated colors of rose bushes, violets, zinnias, poinsettias, dahlias, daffodils, and other species coloring the landscape was breathtaking.

The sheer beauty of the place lured Timothy Wahl, Sr., a third-generation farmer; his wife, Lucy; and their twelve-year-old twins, Timothy, Jr. (Timmy for short) and Lilly to make Bridle Path their permanent home.

Timmy, with all the features of his father, had a sturdy frame and stood five feet seven inches. His blazing red hair and green eyes complimented his fair skin and freckled face, while Lilly’s petite and slender frame supported her five feet five inches height. Her best features were her deeply dimpled cheeks, strikingly deep-blue eyes and curly shoulder-length brunette hair that she kept neatly piled on top of her head in a ponytail.

Chapter Two

A NEW BEGINNING

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name.—(Psalm 97:12, ESV)

The traffic was heavy and at times was at a standstill and Lilly wished that her parents would give up and return to their old life of living. However, knowing that this would never happen caused tears to well up in her eyes. All cherished moments were now tucked away with the past. Gone were her friends and familiar surroundings. It was not surprising that as the unknown loomed, so did her fears—A new city! A new school! A new way of life! She felt like a lone pebble tossed in the big ocean. Pitying herself, she considered being tossed a rotten egg.

To add to her torment was being in the same vehicle with her brother Timmy and having to listen to his ‘oohs’ and ‘wows’ as his excitement grew. Oh! How his sounds jarred her nerves. As she secretively gave him a cold stare under her long brown lashes she had an overwhelming impulse to paste his mouth shut but Timmy was unaware of her glare. He had his eyes glued to the window with a permanent grin on his face as he pointed out the scenery along the way. How could he be so heartless? Traitor, Lilly fumed covertly. Everything they had ever known was left behind, and he displayed a don’t care attitude. She was outraged.

In her sullen mood she closed her eyes to block out all happenings around her but was roused when Timmy nudged her and screamed, Look! He pointed to grazing cows, horses, and sheep and frolicking calves as their truck sped by several farms along the way. We’ll have our own, he shouted with glee. Showing little interest in her brother’s delight, Lilly remarked, Yippee! Someday, I’ll go down in history. It will no longer be said that ‘the cow jumped over the moon’ but it will be Lillian Wahl jumped over fences chasing cows, donkeys, horses, and pigs. Must I go on?

Very funny, Timmy retorted. What’s your problem?

Lilly brushed a wisp of strayed hair from her forehead as she asked sarcastically, Have you seen one? Then there was silence.

Timmy held back a retort. As happy as he was, he swore not to allow anything to crush his joy. However, he allowed his memory to float back to past summers on his grandparents’ farm, where they played with the animals, swam in the lake, and fished. Even more enjoyable was the lack of bedtime rules that allowed them to stay up late at nights listening to Gramps’ stories while stuffing their stomachs with Nana’s treats that teased the nostrils,