Thursday, August 12, 2010

Human Sandpaper

I began attending magnet schools in the 4th grade. Art curriculum eventually led to photography classes, and I eventually decided to take pictures instead of make them when I went to South Miami Middle School. We enjoyed a two-hour block for photography, so there was ample time to hang out with my fellow photo geeks. We had a normal sized classroom that had a large fully equipped darkroom next door. The only way to cross from one to the other was a special automatic darkroom door.

We dubbed it the “Star Trek” door. You’d step on a mat in front, and the front doors would open. Stepping inside would trigger the doors you just walked through to snap shut. Taking another step would open the inner doors, and walking out would then cause those to shut as well. This prevented the entry of white light, which would ruin any photos that were being processed (photos were ruined anyways at times, but hey…we were in middle school). I must say that having one teacher and two rooms presented interesting opportunities for conversations and activities away from adult supervision.

It was here in these rooms that I met the first person in my life that I couldn’t stand; and the feeling was mutual – to this day I still don’t know exactly why.

“Antonio” and I shared several mutual friends, but we never seemed to get along. He was larger than I was, and used that to his advantage at times. He wasn’t a classic bully, but I always felt uncomfortable around him. He was like human sandpaper. Of course, there were times that he’d get belligerent, but never to the point of actually threatening physical violence.

That is, until one day in 8th grade.

Our class was responsible for setting up a photo exhibit in what was then The Bakery Center (which was later demolished and replaced by the Shops at Sunset Place) on a Saturday in 1989. The Bakery Center was practically empty by then, and we had free run about the place. After helping set up the show, we visited the multiplex downstairs and got tickets for Dead Poets Society. After watching that, we snuck into the adjacent theater and watched Star Trek V. It was a glorious romp.

After our foray in juvenile delinquency, we hung out around the parking lot waiting for our parents to pick us up. I don’t recall what led up to the incident, but at some point I’m sure everyone was picking on Antonio and he decided to take his frustration out on me.

“You wanna laugh at me?!” He yelled as he grabbed a beer bottle by the curb and raised it overhead to bash in my brains. The stale beer that was left inside then proceeded to drain out.

On him.

The shocked silence was broken by peals of laughter. “Great Antonio, now your dad’ll think we all got drunk,” said “Jose” with a cackle.

He forgot what he wanted to do, dropped the bottle and began panicking.

It was then that I realized that Antonio was all bluster and no beef. My life was no easier from that point on, but I began to see him with different eyes.

I felt sorry for him.

There will always be people who are difficult to deal with for whatever reason. For some, it may be because of hurts in the past. For others, it might be differences in opinions or beliefs. Some people are just plain NASTY for reasons they may or might not be aware of.

Our responsibilities are not to change others, but to change how WE deal with others.

Who goes out of their way to make your life more difficult? Why?

What can you do to make their life better?

Joe

Related Verses
Mark 11:22-25

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Romans 12:9-21
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

1 Peter 3:13-18
Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

NLTse

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