This past Monday evening, I was driving down the back lot of Ipswich River Park (IRP) to prepare with Coach Andy for our Annual SoccerMania at Trinity Evangelical Church.
As I pulled into this seldom-used lot, I noticed a large number of RVs parked alongside the treeline. I deduced that they must belong to "carnies" who had worked at the North Reading 4th of July Celebration at IRP. Apparently, they had been given permission to stay a day or two longer. Many of them were lounging in the bright sunlight on their lawn chairs and with a cold one to pass the time. It must have been a nice break because we had just finished a wet weekend with lots of rain. The dirt roadway leading to our unloading area was full of brown puddles rippling in the wind. All this I noticed as I drove by them on my way to drop off my equipment for soccer
After setting up, I headed back out to run another errand. As I approached a particularly large brown puddle in the dirt roadway, I noticed a bare-chested man with his arms folded defiantly across his chest. It's was a universal posture of extreme aggravation. I stopped the car, got off my cell phone, and walked up to him.
As I approached him, I must confess that he fulfilled every appearance and stereotype that you and I share about "carnies". I leave it at that... because you know what I mean. And... I thought he looked like he wanted to punch me.
"Hey man, is everything alright?", I asked him cautiously.
"No. You got water in my RV!", he replied with great disgust.
And then I had a choice to make... One that we all face... probably daily... most likely with those who are closest to us... One that I fail much too often... I had to admit guilt even when my intentions weren't evil.
So...
I sized up the situation. Truth is, I wasn't paying a lot of attention to the brown puddles. I certainly had no desire to splash anyone or anything. But... the evidence seemed pretty clear... and even if it wasn't, this man, accustomed to confrontation and protective of his property was convinced of my guilt...
So...
I asked him his
- name and shared mine.
- I expressed great remorse and concern.
- I admitted my culpability - intended or not.
And...
I asked him to forgive me.
In that instant, I could literally see in his face him go from being my enemy to being my ally.
- I suspect that he hasn't experienced a lot of respect in his life - just asking him his name gave him that...
- I suspect that he hasn't seen a lot of humility in his life - just admitting a wrong gave him that...
- I suspect that he hasn't witnessed a lot of forgiveness in his life - just giving him the power gave him that...
I like to conclude this story as so many expect... that he dropped to his knees overwhelmed that the life transforming act of a local Pastor who brought him to confess Jesus as LORD. Well... that's not this story... Truth is, our lives can often be much less dramatic... I choose to believe that his encounter with a fallible follower of Jesus will provide one more simple evidence to the truth of the Good News for all men. And when he's confronted with this truth again, he may be a little closer to receiving it.
Don't be afraid to admit guilt - regardless of intention. After all, if we're honest, there's lots of things we're guilty of... that will never come to light on this side of eternity. Admitting to some here and building a bridge of reconciliation to another shouldn't be too much to ask...
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PS - On a side note, my ability to even consider asking for forgiveness in this scenario was instructed by the Scriptures but modeled by my good friend, Henry Scarano. I hope you have someone in your life who encourages in this way also. If not, pray for one. Then, be one for someone else...
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