Last Word?

I have to confess that I have a difficult time not wanting to get the last word in a discussion and especially in a heated argument. How can I allow someone to stiff me and not get the last edgy comment? Last night I should have seen how I was setting myself up for another head on collision with someone.

So what do I do? I know that at times being the humble quiet one is the better path and to not get the last word is the better mindset. The challenge now is that God isn’t a wimp and wants me at times to stand up on behalf of the underdog who is being brutalized by someone else. Why is it always the chase that the loud mouth gets their way and the rest of us suffer? I have a wife and daughter who at times would rather cower than do something to protect someone being abused.

Last night I end up talking with someone who does have a tendency to be a bulldog. Too often this individual gets their way at the expense of others. I was asked to take this person some where in the morning to get information about financial aid for a school program. I was driving around dropping off teens/kids from tutoring and get a call that I don’t answer until I am driving alone. I get asked if it’s ok for this individual to use one of the tutoring computers. The challenge was that this individual had literally destroyed one of our laptops six months ago. (This was in the midst of a temper tantrum and was tossed at someone.) I had asked this individual to step up and do something to replace the laptop. This person had done zero so I said that we needed to talk and make arrangements for this individual to make things right.

As I am saying that I can hear this person tell me in a loud expressive voice that I didn’t need to take them to their appointment the next day. What got me in a few hours was to receive a text from a sibling to say that I could just keep the laptop that they typically use as a family for homework. So it wasn’t enough to chew me out but then to get revenge by taking something away from everyone else as punishment? I’m confused about the mindset of this person. It hurt and sadly shouldn’t have surprised me at all.

I know that the winning or revenge thing in life is common to all people not just older teens. So as I said before what do I do? Nothing……… scream at this individual… wait or throw cold water on them by asking if they still need a ride? My hope, which isn’t a pipe dream, is to see someone like this step back the next morning and realize their need to apologize.

While I am in the midst of this situation someone else, a 20something, is debating with me on FB about the fact that they don’t need any help with finishing a GED. I attempt to express the fact that anyone in today’s world who wants to succeed understands the ongoing need for mentoring. I am not humble but I have come to accept that synergism is a powerful tool and that clearly multiple hands are preferred to only one set of hands. We had a painting blitz last weekend where 70 people helped and enabled two houses to be done in an almost perfect fashion. I know that the guys who are good with spraying would admit that it has taken time to perfect their craft. So why the slowness on the part of many to admit their need for coaching or sideline help? I was blessed to attend a conference last month that allowed me the privilege to meet a few new people that have become significant part of my life focus.

The real last word was Jesus hanging from the cross saying, “It is finished!” I am thankful that the God of the universe was humble enough to leave behind His glory to come to a rebellious earth and show us the way back.