Where is the justice? Sometimes I just cannot win.
As many of you already know, I live in a 2 bedroom condo with my wife Kelley and my two step daughters, Katelyn and Gracie. This is the setup through the week, then my girls come over on the weekends and sometimes more often. Recently, I got a new next door neighbor.
She is in her early 20’s and is apparently somewhat of a trendy type and she drives a nice 350Z. We have only spoken a couple of times and honestly she doesn’t seem to be too interested in being buddies with me and Kelley, but to each their own. One of the times I DID manage to speak to her was when I realized she didn’t clean up after her puppy who likes to poop right outside my back door… I kindly approached her and, with a smile on my face, asked her if she would please be sure to clean up after the dog because I have kids running in and out and I have my place for sale, so the hassle of cleaning poop out of the carpet is not going to benefit the cause. She told me she ran out of baggies and would clean it up asap… never did.
That was a couple months ago. Fast forward to this past week… I like to sleep with the window open in the fall… I love the breeze and the fresh air, it is a simple pleasure that I enjoy. However, apparently the new neighbor likes to sit outside on her patio until 1AM with 4 or 5 friends smoking cigarettes and telling jokes that aren’t funny at the top of their lungs. It wasn’t that big of a deal really…generally things are really quiet around there. So I let it slide without saying anything, even though they woke Kelley up several times.
BUT THIS MORNING I HAD ENOUGH! I was getting ready for work when I heard her patio gate close outside my window. I peaked out to see what was up…and sure enough… her sweet little puppy was unloading right next to my back porch. I wasn’t feeling very Christian, but I decided to wait a minute to see if she went back inside to get a baggy, after all it was raining a little…
TO NO AVAIL!!
A few minutes later I hear her driving off to work or wherever she goes. As my blood 
pressure rose… I thought of what I could do to not feel so…well….pooped on. I had a plan…and I was sure it was going to make me feel so much better…maybe even a little justified. I put my flip flops on, grabbed the dustpan, wrapped it in a paper towel, and proceeded to approach the “evidence”. As I catapulted the poo, piece by piece, directly behind the gate of my neighbor I was sure I would feel vindicated as the last piece hit the ground.
Unfortunately that was not the case… which leads me to my question…
Why in the world do I have to feel guilty about such a seemingly simple solution? I have noticed that this applies to many situations in my life, not just the example I just shared, which I must admit makes me laugh a little bit on the surface.
However, I think I know the answer to why, as a Christian, the “I’ll show you” approach doesn’t help…
It is because the spirit of God does not require justice, He requires love. He requires joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faith, and self control. When our reaction to life situations does not include that formula, then the response is not God’s response. God’s response is love in all things, pateince in all things, joy in all things, etc… In fact I would venture to say that justice and love are most often bitter enemies, which really kind of stinks from a human perspective…pardon the pun.
When we are born into the Kingdom of God we are to put off earthly things and cling to the things of God. This includes our responses to earthly things and people that are inconsiderate towards us. So as I take this silly little life lesson and ponder it….I pray it is an encouragement to you. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”… and pray that I may have an opportunity to be a little more Christ-like next time.
Keep Praying,
Brad
Please visit http://www.bradreynolds.com for concert dates and to get your copy of “In The Real World” – Currently the #1 selling CD on Indieheaven.com
Be Our Friend on Facebook
Follow Us on Twitter
Be Our Friend on MySpace
Connect With Jason at Linked In
January 12th, 2008 at 2:08 am
brad-
we all feel little angry alttle mad and sometimes want to pay back. but before you moove the poo just to get even. i ask HOW MUCH HAVE YOU PRAYED FOR HER? what since shes been your neighbor have you done in kindness for her? christmas card, a few compliments (may be hard to find) a listening ear. i dont know im rambling. i know shes a hard one. i have found sometimes when GOD does moove those hard ones you may get a glimpse on her inside.
i had a lady i worked with for a while. man she put me down so many times in front of others. she always dictated as she was the boss (she wasnt) i just hated working certian shifts with her. well time came and went. she no longer is here. when it was GODS time he mooved her. but along the way i learned MANY MANY people hated to work with her. (i coudnt see that at the time) i see her time to time- got glipse of her life,. she is kind of sad woman,(and has lots of probs) her husband didnt even live with her and she probly doesnt know the love of GOD.
point is- be what you can be of THE LOVE OF GOD. one day that DOG and that lady GOD will remoove from your life. time is short though dont seem like it.
ROCKINRON kbcu 88.1