No Ruin

My kids went back to school this week. Our third son, Mason, started his freshman year in high school. He had about as bad of a first day of high school as it could have been. Many things happened that just made it a rough day. And of course entrance into high school would not be complete without a traumatic locker experience with a mean kid and a cranky, impatient teacher. Unfortunately, it was a bad day for him. But thankfully, he chose another option than to label it that way and relish in it. He said he decided right in the moment he was being yelled at for something he didn't understand, he thought to himself  "I won't let this ruin me today".

How many times within a given day I have that choice. To get mad because of the impatience or disrespect or injustice shown to me...to continue the process and poison others with medicine that I had to take. Or to choose to not be ruined by it. To decide that I want to reverse the impending outcome of the diagnosis of being wronged. To choose to pass along only grace and respect and honor to others...no matter how they treat me.

I had a conversation with some friends recently about how drivers treat cyclists and runners when out on the roads. There have been a lot of recent news events, especially in the cycling community about sharing the roads and the high risks involved. I was mentioning that Brad has taught me a lot about riding, but also I see the respect he shows vehicles as they pass us while riding. Even if someone is rude or threatening when passing, he never responds with showing anger in return. If he did, it could have implications for how that driver responds to the next cyclist, or even comes back to respond to us! His actions represent all cyclists when we are out riding. His actions give drivers a positive view of cyclists for the whole community of cyclists.

The point is not necessarily cycling etiquette or not letting a mean person ruin your day, although both are good things. I guess my point is that in a world where the tension is so incredibly high in regards to how others treat us and what injustice we feel afflicted by, maybe, we can personally snuff it the moment it hits our souls. Maybe we can say, this attitude shall not pass beyond where it came to me. And the attitude I choose to pass with be that of kindness and respect and good virtue.

There is so much injustice, both in the past and currently. So much that isn't fair in the world. I finished reading 'The Help' recently. What a fantastic book. Truly one of the best fiction books I've read that mimics historical reality. It stirred in me a greater desire to call out oppression and discrimination when I see it. To acknowledge it and fight for it. But I also noticed that the heroine of the story, Abilene, only ever showed grace and mercy even to those who treated her with disdain. She was frustrated and hurt by oppression, but she fought back for the reverse. Through her gentle spirit, she became the greatest warrior for the kindness and change of attitudes in human hearts. And isn't this what the greatest changers of attitudes have done? There is a true gift in feeling an offense, not receiving it and passing along mercy to the next.

So, I was reminded again that I have the power to change the world. Or at least my tiny piece of it for the brief time I'm on it. It's a pretty cool feeling to know that we have that kind of power. It's all within a choice. I refuse cynicism. We are all working through this life with different experiences and perspectives. I can make those moments a little bit better for the people I encounter by not being ruined by the rough spots that come to me. And I have a chance to represent a community of people who see hope and want good for others.

"If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you." Proverbs 25:22