When push comes to shove

There are many circumstances we can find ourselves in that test our integrity.  Many people I have spoken to agree that they never really know how they will respond in a given situation, until they are actually in it.

Well, today my 12 year old son and his friend (also 12) were robbed on their way back from a trip to the local shops to buy hotdog buns and sausages for lunch. Naturally my son’s delivery of this news when he arrived home was hurried and anxious, which caused me to feel hurt for him, but also angry. They were robbed under threat of violence by a boy of a similar age who threatened that his “cousin” would bash them.

I considered what action I should take, which included retribution, but then I thought about this life I profess to put so much stock in. After some thought I decided to exhibit grace toward this criminal act, and teach it to my son, in spite of what we felt. We talked about the potential circumstances of the life of the offender, and where this type of behaviour might lead. Then we talked about acting according to our integrity, without escalating. It was very refreshing to hear the two boys come to the conclusion that it was not worth being upset about.

Thank God for the testing things (like this) that sometimes come, however insignificant. It is an opportunity to demonstrate how He has affected us.