Little somethin' to share

[Ashley]

Hey everyone--just a little story I felt led to share. Hope you guys grow from this.

To make an extremely long story short, yesterday a girl cussed me out and humiliated me in my class. In my embarrasment and anger, I said some rather rude and unkind (to say the least) things in retaliation.

I went to church yesterday evening and felt God start to prick at my conscious. Then when the sermon was over David praising Saul, his enemy who tried to KILL him, I was pretty convinced what the point was.

Though it wasn't easy, this afternoon I came up to her, endured some mockery and more humiliation, and apologized. Why? Because I knew it was the right thing to do, and because the Lord told me to.

I was a little dissapointed. Where was the shocked look on her face, where were the "burning coals" I supposedly heaped on her, where was the sense of relief in doing the right thing? I didn't feel anything afterwords, not even fleshly regret of swallowing my pride.

O Lord my God, teach me to do your will even when there is no reward in it.

I guess the moral of the story is this: even if you don't want to, even if you don't feel any better for it afterwards, listen to the Lord. Do what He asks of you. Remember the words you say and the things you do, because you are a Christian, are what people will think of when they think of Christ. I for one don't want to make her think that my God is a prideful, vengeful one with a nasty tongue to shoot the slanders back. He's done so much to us, it's the least we can do to obey Him in whatever Christ would ask of us. So yeah, even if I don't feel like a better Christian because of it, in truth, I am confident I passed the test. And more than a humble reply or a spiritual uplifting, my reward is that the Lord still talks to me. As often as I run away, as often as I give in to what I want to do, He still wants to use me and guide me and speak to my heart. And that is worth a little humiliation, don't you think?

[true_noir_chloe]

>>And that is worth a little humiliation, don't you think?<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Yes, I think so. ^_^

I'm curious as to why she just started cussing you out and humiliating you? Was there a teacher there? Also, does this girl know you're a Christian and was this her way of teasing to see what you would do?

[Azier the Swordsman]

It doesn't really matter whether or not the other girl acted shocked or not, you really have no way of knowing how it affected her deep inside. You never know when your actions as a Christian are planting seeds within others. Some people can hide it real well.

[Ashley]

>I'm curious as to why she just started cussing you out and humiliating you? Was there a teacher there? Also, does this girl know you're a Christian and was this her way of teasing to see what you would do?

My school has a tradition of "Senior Games". The everyone in the top ten percent gets a card with another person in the game's name on it. This year, you're suppose to hunt them down and grab a lanyard everyone's supposed to wear (we used to have our ids on it, so everyone has one). I only found out about the rules and all yesterday, and no one bothered to tell me there were "safe" areas--classrooms, cafeteria, etc. I knew I had my target in my latin class, so I walk up to him and yank his lanyard. His girlfriend, the girl I mentioned, began to cuss at me and start mocking me because I accidently broke the rules. Before I knew it the entire class was laughing and saying such things. No, the teacher wasn't in the room yet, which I am glad. I would have not liked to have shamed myself before her because we're very close.

As for if she knew I was a Christian--well I don't know. Most people on campus that know me know I am a Christian, yes. And we have never been on very nice terms--there was a spat between us earlier this year over an honor society thing (how ironic I know) that I let pass without a word. I have little doubt in my mind this wasn't an accident though, whether she was aware she was being used by the Lord or not.

Oh and Azier, thanks for the encouragement...but like I said, I learned my lesson. I'm not doing the right thing simply because I want something out of it....no, I want to teach my heart to do it because my God asks me to.

[true_noir_chloe]

I'd guess the added pressure of the other kids joining in probably sparked your outburst. No one likes to be publicly humiliated and we're all not Christ. So, I think it's great God thought enough of you to walk you through this and bring about the outcome which came. ^_^

Actually, I think it's great how you handled it, and I'm glad you shared this with us.

[Jasdero]

hmm..that's a thoughtful story. i don't get into fights often, so i don't know what i would have said personally, but what you did was very noble. it must have hurt when that girl didn't react the way you would have wished her too, but when it comes down to it, what matters is that you came out the better person in my, and probably many other people's eyes.

[uc pseudonym]

Mm. Good story, good moral.

O Lord my God, teach me to do your will even when there is no reward in it.

This lesson is particularly close to my heart. I could say a great deal about it, but I think at the moment it would serve no purpose; Ashley's story can and should continue to speak for itself.

[Fsiphskilm]

Doing the rig

[Swordguy]

i just want to repeat what was already said. you don't know the effect that you had on her or what kind of sead you planted.

keep on doing Gods will

[RoyalWing]

I hope to be strong like that too!! I have problems apologizing when I'm mad, it's really hard! Because, I guess I am too proud. It's something to work on, and it's very nice to have a good example like you!

[Golden_Griff]

Man, now that's a story I needed to hear. Okay, okay, *raises hand* I'm guilty of saying not-so-nice things to other people in retaliation and not apologizing for it. It doesn't happen too often but I can recall one incident; when I look back on it I say to myself no matter how wrong that person was for saying or doing those things to me I was just as wrong for saying what I said. As it's been mentioned, I have no idea of what kind of image of Christ I gave that person (or anybody else) through my actions.

But now that I've read Ashley's testimony I know better about what to do the next time I "let loose."

[Anna Mae]

I had something similar happen to me. This girl and I had to be partners for a school thing. Needless to say, we didn't get along. We both said things we shouldn't have. The next day I worked up my nerve and apologized. She looked shocked at first, but then one of her friends nearby told her that I must not really mean it. My partner chose to believe that. I was really disapointed, and several years later she still doesn't like me, but I'm working on it (it's kind of hard since we don't have any classes together). Yeah, to sum up my post, thanks for the story, Ashley.