The Negative That Became a Positive

Ok, I've kept you in suspense long enough, huh? I'm devious that way at times. Seriously, I have not posted this story because I have been dreading telling about it. A funny thing has happened though.....the more I contemplate what I witnessed the more convinced I am that what I witnessed impacted me for the good much more than it did for the bad that was there.

Remember I told you about having the blessing of hearing Patrick Mead at the OCU Lectures and his lesson on "Be Prepared to Give an Answer". He proclaimed that JESUS is the answer, and it was a powerful presentation! I had never heard Patrick before and I was impressed very much by his heart that he exposed as he was talking to us. He loves the Lord! Ok, so after the last amen had been said I spoke to some old missionary friends that had been in West Africa the same time my family was there (Wendell Kee) and then I made my way down to the front to meet Patrick and tell him how much I appreciated his lesson. I got there just in time to hear a man from Texas introduce himself and then in a very calm voice begin to verbally abuse Patrick in a very hateful manner. He never raised his voice, I guess thinking that if he did then that would somehow make it acceptable to say the things he was saying. At first I had to pinch myself to make sure I was not in the middle of a horrible nightmare. When I realized that I had all my senses, my first thought was something like "man, I can't wait till this idiot gets thru and Patrick puts him in his place". I guess I just exposed my heart and priorities, huh. Anyway, when this "preacher" finished, Patrick just smiled at him and patted this guy on the shoulder and said kindly "go with God". I didn't realize it at the time, but Patrick was giving a living lesson on "Jesus is the Answer". It gets worse. When that yea-hoo left, a much more younger full of fire preacher was ready to take his turn at the plate. His venom was much more adversarial, and he didn't even try to disguise his anger by talking in a civil voice. Very quickly he was almost yelling at Patrick, and speaking very hatefully at him. As Patrick would respond very calmly in love, this guy (oh how I wish I could tell you what I really call him in my mind) would just get more angry! :) I started looking around for a camera for some reality TV show, or better yet for Jerry Springer to jump out from behind the crowd that was gathering. You see, these men didn't want Jesus to be the answer. They were all hyped thinking Patrick was going to go old-school on everybody and tell us what we needed to be ready to defend doctrinally....how to give an answer to all those "in error". Patrick continued to walk the walk, and just kept saying things like "I understand, go with God" which just about caused this fella to look like one of those cartoon characters where he starts turning red at his feet and it moves up his body to the top of his head and smoke starts coming out the top. It was a living, breathing foot washing........and this guy didn't want any part of it. It finally got so bad that Shon Smith (dean of Bible Dept at OC) finally stepped in and was very kind and Christ like himself, but he escorted this young want-a-be away. I was the closest person to Patrick as they walked away. Still speachless, all I could do was just reach out and give him a big ole bear hug. I did find the words "stay the course" coming out of my mouth into his ear. He was very gracious and said for me not to be concerned, he had encountered much worse. WORSE!?!?!?! Are you kidding me? They were about an inch from beginning to try and look for stones on the floor to start chunking at him! And you know what the irony is.........if you asked them about it, they would probably very pridefully tell you that they were doing it in the name of the Lord. The LORD! Patrick never quit showing them he was prepared to give an answer, and the answer was to walk in the steps of his Savior, Jesus Christ. He turned every cheek he had that night. He spoke with grace and truth. He acted in love.

I heard a great lesson that night. I witnessed in action a much more impacting lesson, a more powerful lesson.........one I shall never forget. I know I am called to love and forgive those two brothers who were full of hate, because I am no better.
Can I confess to you that it isn't easy? But I know He will give me the grace I need to do that. He gave it to Patrick, so I know He will give it to me also if I allow Him to.

Jesus really is the answer. No matter the question, no matter the situation.
Just Jesus.