How to Bless Folks Who Make You Want to Holler
Well, Butterbean, grab yourself a porch rocker and settle in, ‘cause we are 'bout to go ‘a-strollin’ through Romans 12:17-21 like we’re ‘a-walkin’ past a pasture plum full ‘o’ ol’ goats that’re thinkin' they be ‘a-ownin’ the place. Romans 12:21 done say, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” That there verse hits harder than a rooster who done is ‘a-thinkin’ your shoelaces are worms. It’s ‘a-remindin’ us that God’s way o’ ‘a-dealin’ with enemies is ‘bout as upside down as ‘a-tryin’ to teach a raccoon some good table manners, but it done works every time.
Now jus’ let me be ‘a-tellin’ you, Butterbean, the Bible has some instructions that’ll be ‘a-makin’ you be ‘a-tiltin’ your head like a confused lil’ ol’ possum. One of them instructions is this here business ‘bout ‘a-feedin’ your enemy and ‘a-givin’ him water when he’s done real thirsty, an’ that there’s found in Romans 12:20 and Proverbs 25:22. Paul says that when you done that, you’re done ‘a-heapin’ coals of fire right on your enemy’s head. Now ‘a-fore you go imaginin’ yourself a-standin’ there with a shovel full o’ charcoal briquettes, you gotta be ‘a-calmin’ down. Scholars say it comes from one o’ them there old practices where a guilty person done had to carry hot coals on his head as a sign of repentance. Sort of like ‘a-wearin’ a big ol’ sign that says, “Yep, I done messed up,” only a whole lot warmer.
Scripture gives us examples of feedin’ and clothin’ enemies in 2 Kings 6:22 and 2 Chronicles 28:15. And Jesus Himself done said in Matthew 5:43-44 to “love your enemies and bless those who curse you.” That jes’ ain’t natural. Natural is ‘a-wantin’ to be ‘a-swattin’ them enemies like an ol’ horsefly that done keeps a-buzzin’ ‘round your tea glass. But Jesus calls us to a supernatural sort o’ kindness, the kind that done makes your enemy be ‘a-stoppin’ and ‘a-thinkin’, “Well now, maybe I ought to be ‘a-rethinkin’ my foolishness.”
Matthew Henry once said that the success of the Gospel works on the very last nerve of its enemies. And he was real right. Nothin’ irritates a mean person more than ‘a-bein’ treated kindly. It’s like ‘a-handin’ sweet tea to a skunk. They don’t know what to be ‘a-doin’ with it.
Father, be ‘a-helpin’ me to be kind when I feel like a-growlin’. Be ‘a-teachin’ me to respond with grace when I would rather stomp off like a grumpy ol’ mule. Be ‘a-fillin’ me with Your love, so I can love even them there prickly folks. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now Buttercup, as you done get ready to be 'a-headin’ back into your day, you gotta be ‘a-rememberin’ that this here kindness jes’ ain’t weakness. It’s real strength all dressed up in godly overalls. It’s God’s way of ‘a-takin’ the sting out of evil and replacin’ it with somethin’ real holy. When you go to choosin’ goodness, you gonna be ‘a-shinin’ brighter than a lightnin’ bug at midnight. And who done knows, your kindness might jus’ go to meltin’ one o’ them hearts that’s been a whole lot colder than a frog’s belly in January.
With joy,
Gwen
