A Bitter Lesson

I gained strength very slowly. As I became able to join play with my young friends, I was forced to learn the bitter lesson that one's personal appearance often makes a difference in the treatment he receives from his companions.LSMS 6.1

Many times in those childhood days I was made to feel my misfortune keenly. My feelings were unusually sensitive, and caused me great unhappiness. Often with wounded pride, mortified and wretched in spirit, I sought a lonely place, and gloomily pondered over the trails I was daily doomed to bear.LSMS 7.1

The relief of tears was denied me. I could not weep readily, as could my twin sister; though my heart was heavy, and ached as if it were breaking, I could not shed a tear. I often felt that it would greatly relieve me to weep away my sorrow. Sometimes the kindly sympathy of friends banished my gloom, and removed, for a time, the leaden weight that oppressed my heart.LSMS 7.2

How vain and empty the pleasures of earth looked to me then! How changeable the friendships of my young companions! Yet these little schoolmates were not unlike the majority of the great world's people. A pretty face, a handsome dress, attracts them; but let misfortune take these away, and the fragile friendship grows cold and broken. But when I turned to my Saviour, He comforted me.LSMS 7.3