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Harlin: "Warrior-Friend"
"What did my father give me? Not an inheritance but a heritage. A sense of sportsmanship that goes beyond the playing field. He taught me to play fair in everything and to hate bullies. He taught me good taste and good manners, which have no price but have great worth. He opened my mind when I was young to a love of learning." (From my father, Bill Harlin)
My father was small in stature, quiet, gentle, and a well mannered man, but a warrior on the inside. He was no coward and never shied away from a confrontation.
When I was in the 2nd grade, for the 2nd time ðŸ˜ž, a group of bullies rose up to daily make my life miserable by reminding me of my recent failure. Tears became my food night and day to the point that school became a dark place for me. I was also small compared to my adversaries, who seemed as large as Goliath.
The bullying situation became so bad that my father came to me for a father-son talk one night, that I have never forgotten. He said "son you are going to have to stand up to the bullies." Then he told me two things, first he said to pick out the ring leader and tell him that if he doesn't stop that you will "kick his butt until his nose bleeds." I laughed at the thought and was also emboldened for "war"at the same time. Those words are still with me now, and are my internal war cry;) Then second, he told me to make a fist, and with everything I had, to hit the bully square in the nose. We shadow practiced making the fist, hitting the bully, and I felt ready for the battle!
A few days went by before the bully-confrontation availed itself again. I followed my father's instruction, told my adversary what I was going to do, Then I cocked my arm back and hit him square in the nose. The blood flowed from his nose, and the bully cried like a baby, (cowards and bullies are synonymous). From that day forward my life changed, and the bullying ceased. Case closed!
That taught me a valuable lesson and opened my eyes to what was in our heritage, DNA, and the origin of the name "Harlin" : "warrior-friend." That word applies to male and female Harlins.( I fear the women in our family more than the men, warrior gals:)
Matt.11:25-30, gives us a clue as to where this DNA of a "warrrior-friend" attitude originates. Jesus was and is our warrior-friend. Especially to those who follow and put their trust in Him. He was God in the flesh: humble, gentle, merciful, kind, healing, and loving to all who came to Him in need. Jesus was also a warrior to those who bullied His sheep. Cowardice is not, nor never will be, in Jesus' DNA, nor found in the Kingdom of God, nor His followers. You can say Jesus kicked sin and death in the butt until their noses bled, and He still does for those who call upon His name! Jesus is our warrior-friend.
So, what is in your name and DNA? Got a spiritual or physical bully in your life? It may be time to stand up to the bully" in Jesus' name!

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