We interrupt this originally planned vacation picture slide show and bring you the following true story. These people are not actors. They are real people. This conversation is not made up (even though it possibly sounds like it is). All of the following events are true and accurate.
Yesterday morning God blessed this southern, small town with beautiful weather. The leaves are brilliant with colors. The wind is blowing and the leaves are falling to the ground. The sun is beaming her hot rays down from the bright blue sky. The weather is in the 60s. I don't think you could ask for a more gorgeous day.
I headed outside to run a 6-miler, which basically means running my neighborhood twice. Remember my neighbor?
Well yesterday she apparently was taking one of her walks while I was running. The following is a conversation that took place over the course of my run and her walk throughout the entire neighborhood. Please know when I talk, I talk in a peppy, sunshiny sort of way. . . very friendly.
ME: "Good morning."
Neighbor: "Loser."
ME: "Good morning."
Neighbor: "Loser."
ME: "Good morning."
I continue on my run and she continues walking.
The next time I see her she is on the road that she lives on and I am coming up behind her. We are on the same side of the street. I am breathing heavy and I go to pass her on her right side.
Neighbor: Making a sound that is mocking my heavy breathing. . . sounds sort-of like a heavy hissing.
ME: "It is such a beautiful day."
Neighbor: "Loser."
ME: "God is good."
Neighbor: "Loser."
ME: "All the time."
By this point I realize I have been more than nice, and I'm probably overdoing it to a point where it is not nice anymore. I'm starting to feel a little guilty about that. I knew I would have to see her one more time before she got back to her house.
The next time I see her I am facing her. I don't make eye contact with her. I just have a grin on my face. I say nothing. After I pass her she says this to me.
Neighbor: "Bye Loser."
Y'all this cracks me up and makes me sad all at the same time. Life must have really dealt this poor woman some hard blows for her to be so mean and so cold to someone who she doesn't even know . . . to someone that has only shown her kindness.
I do think she is loony and I've told my kids when they're playing outside if they see her, they need to come inside. People are nuts and you never know what someone is capable of. If you think of her, please pray for her, that God will till up the hard places of her heart, that I will know when to be nice and when to "cool it".
Often times I do wonder why God has brought us to this neighborhood, a neighborhood we otherwise could not afford to live in if it would not have been for God leading us to this house. Maybe, just maybe, could it possibly be to show His love to this woman who so desperately needs it?
Stay tuned. . . I'm sure there will be more stories.
9 comments:
Yes, she MUST have a story. I actually think her calling you "loser" might be her way of saying "sweetie". Or not, just a thought. Your neighbor perplexes me. Don't give up! Sometimes the ones with the hardest exterior have the softest hearts hiding inside!
WOW!!! That is sooo sad! Grateful daily to have a full heart and love for all - although I give you credit as I do not think I would attempt anything from this point forward!!! lol I can learn from you definitely!!
I was JUST gonna ask you about her at dinner the other night...
Gosh, it sounds to me (y'know I think I'm a certified therapist, right?!) like she is saying outloud what she feels about herself or what she's heard so long from others she believes it and in her lesser state of mentality--that's how it comes out!
I pray that one day we'll get to hear the story of her saying "Good Morning" back...you are showing her Jesus' love with that big 'ol white smile of yours ;) and I know how much your words warm my heart whether you say one (ha!) or a million (more like it) and I know it's doing the same for her!!
I worked with this type of guy. It took YEARS of a daily chipper greeting before he halfway grunted a pleasant reply.
It was worth it.
This world is a horrible place without Jesus and I encounter people like this everyday who are so unhappy, have no joy and cannot stand the spirit that is inside you, and really there spirit cannot stand Jesus inside you. I really do believe that the Lord does place us near people like this, Jesus went to the cross for for all..AMEN! I am no better than the neighbor except for His grace and love that changed me!
I think well done sister for not letting your flesh rise up and come to her level of sadness but for showing kindness and the day that she comes to Jesus, you will be one of the first she comes to! We pray for her salvation and for her to experience and receive the love that her soul is screaming out for. xxx
I feel sorry for this woman also but I think I would have to stop and ask her why does she continue to call you looser when she does not even know you. Continue to pray for her and ask God to give you guidance in how to approach her and for God to give you the words to say. I will pray for you and her both.
I love you. Mama
There is no answer other than the fact she must be mentally ill. I, too, would tell my kids they had to come inside if she were nearby, but I would try to conjure up as much grace as possible. I have to believe she has a really hard story. :(
Honey, I haven't heard your voice except in this screen...but I can hear how sunshiny and precious your sweet tone is. And I can hear you "singing" those words.
I love your heart. And your patience. And your willingness to serve this woman who is so hard and so bitter.
Keep at it, girl. I'm with you...I think God is up to something!!! :)
Good morning!! I too am a very chipper person! Do you think she has some sort of mental illness? Possibly some sort of autism or other disorder that causes her to respond in this way...this is really my only explanation.
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