I went to the movies with the family tonight and sat in front of a probably 16 yr old girl with her parents and friends. She proceeded to kick and press up against my chair, no joke, probably 30 times. It was annoying, uncomfortable, and just wrong. I knew all along she wasn't trying to be a pain- but she was. I hinted a few times by looking behind me and pulling my chair forward if she was putting pressure on my chair. She never got the hint- clueless as all of us can be sometimes.
The problem was manifold for me: it's annoying and thoughtless but I don't want to be rude, harsh, or too easily annoyed. It wasn't like she was actually hurting me so I put up with these every 2 minute incidents for probably an hour.
When I am facing any challenge or issue I try to be longsuffering, trust God, and see what he wants me to do in the situation- I'm far from perfect in these areas but I try. So I prayed for guidance on what to do- prayed a bunch and I still wasn't sure what to do. So, after maybe an hour my daughter had to use the restroom so as I got up I got the girl's attention and I said "excuse me ma'am you've kicked me like 50 times."
She was shocked and said she was sorry. It was really minor as movie theater chair-kicking rebukes go but still memorable. I hate scenes and I hate taking up for myself like that. The Bible even has a verse that says "why not rather be wronged"..... Ugh- I hate that I don't remember those verses when I am getting kicked in movie theaters.
So my wife tells me as I was away at the bathroom someone said to the girl, "what did he say", she replied, "I was adjusting in my seat and I kicked his chair", her friend dutifully smacked, "that's ridiculous". No, she didn't tell the full story, few would.
We all had a nice awkward walk out of there- naturally they walked out in our direction.
There are some key reasons you get to kick the back of my chair for an hour before I say anything and one reason is the scene I would cause to correct you may not reflect the love I am supposed to show you as a Christian. Plus, I try to avoid negative relations with others in general- well guess what my wife says they go to my daughter's Christian school. Perfect.
I think the litmus test on if I did the wrong thing here or not is would I do it again and I actually have not fully landed upon that answer yet. However I do think the Lord is using this to identify some people pleasing and prideful roots he needs to zap in me.
For now it's back to no criticizing people in movie theaters.
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