AS for miss anonymous, you gotta love her too because she is just acting like the world does when the Lord’s love hasn’t pierced then through. She’s not learned the meaning yet, but I’m sure there’s a lesson up ahead for her and God has it all under control. Just pray for her heart to be softened.

But, reading Cindy and Don’s comments today touched me deeply. Seldom do we inspire the repentance in another person by meeting their arrogance with our own, even when we are right. I may be totally wrong, but I believe someone like Cindy, who lives in beauty and wonder, being led into those places by her son would also have the gift to melt the heart of that woman, were she given the opportunity.

But even if that woman doesn’t ever change, I think it is truly wonderful that Mike and Diane continue to be there as a support, a buffer, and an understanding ear for other parents who have been entrusted with these special children.

Thanks, Grant.

Mike, having this kind of an exchange with you is kind of like two people in the same room talking to each other on cell phones. I could have, and perhaps should have, e-mailed or talked to you personally about this. Or just not said anything at all.

I wasn’t suggesting we let this anonymous woman off the hook. On the contrary, I think she should be held accountable for her actions. I’m just tossing out the idea that it’s possible for us to become the complainers, complaining about her complaining and how so many people don’t “get it,” then feeling justified and proud about which side we’ve come down on, even if it’s the correct one. And when it’s all over, the woman in question has been burned in effigy but probably never truly encouraged through direct confrontation or through our supplication in prayer to follow the way more perfectly.

It may have been entirely appropriate to call out this anonymous woman and hold her up as an example of who we don’t want to be. But I fear her anonymity has given us tacit permission to more roundly and rabidly condemn her.

It wasn’t until after my initial post that I read the final sentence of Cindy’s comments, which captured more concisely and convincingly the essence of my thoughts. As usual, I should’ve read more and talked less.

Unfortunately, this is the state of many of our brethren. I have often wondered how some could be subject to the teachings of Jesus for 20, 30, 50 years and not be moved closer toward His image. Is it the teaching? Is the hearer’s heart? Is it our culture that seems to negate in an instant the teaching? What is it? I am constantly amazed at attitudes of people who surely ought to know better. It breaks my heart.

Grant, I’m tempted to say: “So, Amos, don’t call them Cows of Bashan. Just encourage these women to be less ungodly.”

But, alas, I’m not Amos. Not nearly. I warned of ranting and raving. Matt rarely got to sit in a church assembly until he was 9 years old, because I was preaching and Diane was stuck in a cry room with Megan. (”Stuck” doesn’t tell the whole story, of course. It was a blessing. But being in the worship assembly alone with Matt at times would also have been a blessing.)

But we receive your encouragement to pray for compassion.

Isn’t it still true, though, that we have come to not expect people to be formed in the way of Christ? We tolerate constant complainers year-after-year, reminding each other they everyone should be heard. And of course, everyone should be heard . . . but can’t we help people quit their carping? It’s still Monday. I’ll be back to my normal, compassionate self tomorrow morning.

The more important questions I have to ask myself in light of this debacle are:

“How titillating is it to vilify this anonymous woman, however misguided her actions?”

“How much easier is to join the cyber-lynching than to pray that God would give this woman compassion for that mother and child?”

and, “Does this righteous indignation produce a more Christlike spirit in me as it relates to those with whom I have disagreement or conflict in my own church?”

Calling out this woman’s actions may very well be both justified and necessary, but piling on might not make me more like Christ.

God Bless you, Mike, for your words, and your friend as she teaches a church about a love more like Christ’s.

James

don