I am pure blond. Many of you do not know that because of my need for constant change (the only things I won’t change are my God and my family). So, whether you know me as the red haired Charity, the blond, brunette or black haired Charity, it is true. My secret is out.
Of course… Secrets are not my strong point anyway.
That being said, I go through life happily strolling along thinking everything is just fan-tastic. Out of nowhere, BAM! Someone is hurt, offended, angry, or who knows what.
This is my disclaimer: It is most definitely not personal if I upset you. I have no idea what I am doing in this thing called life.
It is so hard to respond well when I am blindsided by someone’s anger. What I am learning to do is realize that the anger is actually hurt. Hurt from some other area in their life. Hurt that I may have inadvertently inflicted, reminded them of, or simply was at the wrong place at the wrong time and felt it coming through.
I am reminded of a verse my sweet Momma made me memorize when I was a wee thing. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grevious words stir up anger” – Proverbs 15:1
It is never easy to choose kind words and a soft response when we are attacked. In the heat of the moment, or even the surprise, it is our nature to defend ourselves. Unfortunately, nobody cares.
In that moment, what they need is not my defensiveness, but my love. They need me to care about them, not about my own reputation. They need me to see how they are really feeling, how they are screaming out from the inside. They don’t need my reasoning.
It’s not about me. Life never is. It’s about representing the Father and His perfect love and grace. It’s seeing others how He sees them.
I challenge you today. Join me in seeking those that most need our compassion and grace. Pray with me, brothers and sisters. Love on those around you with all of your being. They are worth it. They are eternal. Your viewpoint, honor and reputation are not.
Charity Andrews 