Nearly two weeks later, the saga—caused by the reaction of someone to my display of the American flag—continues, in a good way. And how I caught wind of it was remarkable, too.
Thursday is Game Day for a few of us here at the resort who have become friends. Yesterday was the first day it was announced on the resort’s Facebook pages (because there are quite a few people, both owners and renters, here now), and two new players came. I had just learned the day before that one of the newbies and one of our regulars (who’s my friend) had had words recently about the newbie’s dog being off-leash on my friend’s property next door. I did not know how having these two people at the same table was going to go, but I figured it was going to at least be interesting.
God orchestrates things beautifully.
For one reason or another, three of our regular players were absent, so it was just the two newbies and my friend and me who showed up to play. We spent a little time getting acquainted and somewhere along the way my friend and the newbie recognized the other. Even so, games proceeded marvelously with the four of us playing several rounds of Rummikub and–after an emergency phone call took away one of the newbies, another God-thing, in my opinion–learning a new card game, 7’s, from the newbie with the dog. Two hours flew by, and it was a lot of fun.
Games ended at noon, at which time the other two players began a spirited debate about the aforementioned incident regarding the unleashed dog. Each one had solid reasons for the way she felt. I remained quiet, literally stuck in the middle between the two of them while they debated. Even though both of these women are very bold and had no problem articulating their thoughts about the matter, both remained calm and civil to one another. Each one listened without interruption while the other spoke. By the time we collected our things and made our way out of the clubhouse, they were engaged in productive communication about something entirely different. It was all smiles when we said good-bye and parted ways, everyone anticipating next week’s games.
God works in mysterious ways.
The newbie and I made the long walk down the hill to our RVs, talking all the way. When it came time for us to go our separate ways, she said, “Oh, by the way, Matt (her husband) commented that you handled that awkward situation about your flag really well the other day.” What she said took me by surprise. At the time, I hadn’t noticed anyone else around except the guy who was offended by how my flag was displayed. Her comment made me grateful for my behavior that day, and especially for how the whole thing played out.
I’m also grateful for the reminder to treat people the way we want others to treat us. I’ve never regretted wishing that angry man a blessed day right after he attacked my Americanism and chastised me for what he perceived to be an affront to our flag. It not only turned my day around (and, I’m sure, his) and it might have even been the catalyst for his apology a week later.
Who knows what ripple effect this one particular incident will ultimately have? Already this is the third blog about it, just from my perspective. Perhaps the once-angry camper will come back some day and we can have a peaceful discussion about our viewpoints. Perhaps not. Either way, what started out as a negative situation has been turned into something good, at least a couple of times now.
I’m grateful for these lessons in grace and its ripple effect. As I reflect on the incident that started it all and what’s happened since, it’s easy to see that grace is key factor. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people ~Titus 2:11
