SUNDAY THOUGHTS: CONFRONTATION

Today, I witnessed a nuisance being handled with such wisdom and care.

It was marvelous.

Brilliant. 

Neither a hand, nor volume of voice was raised.

This voice maintained a calm, patient, understanding tone, but was in no way weak.  

It may not have been the method of choice for some people, considering the persistence of the nuisance, but it certainly proved to be the best.

 

In the midst of instruction, on what to do when one is in a desperate situation, a contrary individual decided to abruptly take center stage. 

It couldn't have been more ironic. 

Perhaps alcohol, drugs, or mental challenges were involved, that demanded a more sympathetic stance than a combative one. 

Others wanted to pounce and eject the offender. 

They quickly positioned themselves. 

Frankly, whatever physical tactics they would have employed, would have been understandable and justified. 

The interruption was crass and unruly; highly inappropriate and disrespectful. It deserved to be carried out kicking and screaming. 

As annoying as it was; as much as the nuisance tried to escalate the situation, it was not allowed to prevail. 

I thought that, perhaps, were the atmosphere not so quiet, the nuisance would have simply blended in with any acceptable noise. 

The occasional crying of a baby wasn't disruptive; it didn't hamper progress, but the nuisance was determined to make itself known. 

It was intent on drawing as much attention to itself as possible. 

It lacked finesse or grace. It was loud, profane and angry. It flew in the face of the dignity and sacredness of the situation. Perhaps it challenged it.  

A calmer spirit prevailed, however, and I had such respect for the leadership. 

He'd just stated that, sometimes, desperate situations come as a way for God to bring us back to our knees. The nuisance qualified as a desperate situation, interrupted the carefully crafted program, and inspired unscheduled prayer. 

It also forced everyone to immediately put the points of the message to work:

1. "Think back on our history with God, and recall          his goodness."

2. "Remember how he had blessed us personally."

3. "Amass the necessary resources."

4. "Believe in the power of God."

Considering the nuisance, God's power was sorely needed. Considering our lives, any one of us could have been the nuisance.

The situation was an eye opener, and, fortunately, prepared me for an eerily similar nuisance that met me at my door when I arrived back at home. 

Some people just want to be acknowledged. 

Their lives are so broken, and they don't know how to turn it around. 

Substance abuse, and its deceptive nature, keep them in a constant state of confusion. 

But then, other, supposedly sober people, simply seek to intimidate, inspire fear, bully and provoke confrontation. 

I'm wondering if, sometimes, they are not all one in the same.

 

What everyone really needs is a solid relationship with God. 

More than that, people need to see God in action. They need to see Him in us. 

It's easy to dismiss people, especially when they make a nuisance of themselves. 

It's more difficult to engage in love, when it's easier and more desirable to call 911, distance oneself, ignore, complain--or just punch someone's lights out.

Never let a nuisance fluster you. 

It only THINKS it's in charge. 

Respond incorrectly, and the consequences may be explosive. 

Handled properly, you gain respect points, maintain your composure, keep order--and maybe even win someone over to the bright side.