Honest Conversation

Have you ever noticed how easily we become lemmings in a public situation? We quickly follow whatever the person in front is doing or the one who seems to know what they are doing. Whether it's forming lines in traffic, taking some kind of action in regards to an incident or even responding in kind. Why is it I am so easily influenced by the majority's pull when my spirit is telling me to move differently?
This last week, I was walking across the Target parking lot. As I moved an abrupt flash caught my eye and I stopped. It was a car that had yet to identify a human was in their path. While waiting to make sure the person in the car behind shaded windows saw me, I observed hands flailing. I wasn't sure what was happening and so continued to wait. At that moment the driver, rolled down her window and started yelling at me that she "had seen me". She shouted this not once but a couple of times with great hostility. At that moment, I had a chance to respond with anger or a name of choice, but did not. I responded differently. As I walked away I thought, WOW is she angry!!! I also had a choice at that moment to let her anger become mine. To allow the cancer of hate possessing her become a cancer in my own soul. Thankfully, in that incident I was able to recognize it truly was her issue and not mine to own. I let it go.
At other times and in other situations, it's not so easy. As I pursue a life of holiness, I find myself easily pulled into other people's issues. Frankly, I thought of making a T-shirt that proclaimed "No Issues" encircled in red with a line through the middle. I wanted to protect myself from others. I realize in stating this, I am acting as if I have no "issues" of my own and therein is the true irony. For I have issues like everyone else. The problem is I am blind to them and how they affect others. Though I can be incredibly blind to my own, I see yours with clarity! And . . . you see mine!
So herein is the challenge! Can I give grace to your issues and love you with them, but not let your infection spread in me and can you return the favor? Can we also in great love help each other with our struggles with amazing love and acceptance through the power of our gracious, Lord and Savior? I want to do this, I'm called to do this, the question is am I willing? This is incredibly contrary to my flesh's desire to be self righteous!
The lady who confronted me the other day was easy on some level. It was obvious that her anger had nothing to do with me, personally. She came out of the blue, driving a car too fast and was a mere interruption. It's the people I collide with daily, the ones who I interface on a consistent basis; it's those who are challenged by me and I by them to become godly in my response and not reacting or catching what they have.
I am challenged by our Lord's exhortation to be holy, for I am holy! Holiness demands a different attitude, a different heart, a different response. I am praying for God to change mine.