A Bully and a Miracle

By Audrey Carter-Pacheco

Like thousands of other kids throughout the United States, Rachael Peterson is the victim of a bully. What's unusual about this story is the uncommon way that she and her parents deal with this all too common situation. Loosely based on a true story, the Peterson family chooses to reach out with love and compassion, rather than acting in anger and vengeance. Lessons are learned, harsh things are exposed and transformations miraculously occur, as a family rides through the storm, coming out on the other end stronger than ever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781796088199

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 by Audrey Carter-Pacheco. 801810

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be

reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,

electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval

system, without permission in writing from the copyright

owner.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names,

incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are

either the products of the author’s imagination or are

used fictitiously.

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

Rev. date: 02/28/2023

CONTENTS

Credits

Foreword

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

CREDITS

Managing Editor: Elizabeth Compton

[e-mail]

Author Photo by Jordyn Surmons

Thank you to my daughter who was the inspiration behind this book

and mother and sister who supported me during challenging times.

FOREWORD

Being bullied is among the most traumatic things that a child can go through. Any who have ever been bullied knows of the inner anger it produces. Often times, the victim fantasizes on possibilities for vengeance, given certain tools and times which are easily attainable in his daily life. At the same time, he is also gnashing his teeth, knowing the consequences he would face for retaliating against the bully if he were to ever act on such fantasies. Getting oneself arrested and sent to jail wouldn’t solve any problems but create all new ones, which is that nibbling inner conflict any bullying victim struggles with constantly.

As one who understands this well, I was blown away to learn of how Rachael reacted to her bully, and even more amazed to see that it worked. From enemies to family, arch nemeses to sisters, because Rachael showed compassion to the one who once showed none to her. Isn’t that the way of the Lord, to show mercy to those who are willing to change and offer new life to those who will receive it.

Surely, the Lord’s hand is seen working throughout the story told within the pages of this book. Particularly inspiring for me was where Rachael, the child, has her initial chance to press charges and take her bully down, with the penalty her bully would have brought upon herself. Who wouldn’t want vengeance, but Rachael, against all common nature, chooses mercy over justice. Had she chosen vengeance over mercy, she would have destroyed her bully, without ever knowing that she had also destroyed the girl who would become her sister. It really gets one reflecting on why the Lord commands that vengeance is His and His alone. Why He wants us to defend ourselves when fighting is necessary but also to be compassionate and forgiving of one another whenever we are able.

If Rachael hadn’t claimed the inner strength to show that inhuman mercy, which no common child would’ve shown to their bully, she would have destroyed her sister along with her bully. And without ever even knowing her sister, to realize what she had done, had she chosen vengeance over mercy. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and His influence shines through Rachael.

Let her example show us the way we should all be willing to treat each other. With the compassion that the Lord shows to us, for none of us are without sin. We all nailed Jesus to the cross. If He can choose mercy over vengeance for us to give us new life, and Rachael can choose mercy over vengeance for the bully who made her miserable before they became sisters, then any who won’t follow their example can never call themselves strong.

Michael Morgan

Glendale, Arizona

January 5, 2020

GettyImages-1168780461---.jpg

CHAPTER ONE

The front door slammed, and