That Darn Woman

I was having a marvelous time at an event where I would be presenting a lecture. I chatted with friends and colleagues, sipped punch, nibbled crackers. The atmosphere was warm and friendly. I happened to glance toward the windows, and suddenly I saw HER. I had no idea she would be at this event. This woman humiliated me in public several years ago.

Smiling to my face she plunged the dagger into my heart, and, still smiling, her back hiding her treachery to the world, she twisted the knife, gaining great pleasure while watching me gyrate in pain. Nothing I could do released the steel from my flesh. When she turned from me to the people in the room, she feigned innocence. She knew nothing of what had just happened. I hated this nasty person from the depths of my heart. No matter what I said to defend myself or to explain that it was all her doing, I just ended up looking worse and worse. My only hope was to walk away, nurse my wounds, and never go near her again.

I never did know why she did what she did. I had not really known her before the incident. We didn't intersect except at the one event, and I had done nothing I could think of to have made her angry with me. Well, no matter. I will just avoid her and try to enjoy today despite her presence.

Except. Except that my head kept telling me that I, as a Christian, as a daughter of the King, must love my enemies. Love her? Not gonna happen. She is mean. She hurt me. I hate her. Uh. OK. I know hate is not part of love. Really, God can't expect me to actually love her. Look at her. She is studiously snubbing me. Walking past without deigning to acknowledge my presence. Making ostentatious animated conversation with people near me to rub it in that I don't count in her eyes. Really? Love this creature?

Yes.
I can't.
You can't or you won't?
Well . . .

OK. I will make some small gesture. But if she treats me badly, I am absolved of all responsibility. Deal?

Make the gesture.

She is walking by. I look her square in the eyes, smile as widely as I can and greet her as if we are friends. She stopped dead in her tracks, looked at me with a frozen smile, then seemed to melt before my eyes. "Oh, hello. Nice to see you. How are you doing?"

She seemed sincere. Inside my mind was reeling. How do you think I am doing after you butchered me in public? Outwardly, I asked after her well being and her activities. It was as if she did not remember her treachery towards me. As if there were no wall between us. Really? After all that? She patted me on the arm as we parted, and said with genuine feeling, "It's good to see you again." And with that touch, everything changed.

I am floored. And surprised to discover that my hurt and hatred have melted away. Things seem to be in perspective once again. She is a person. Whatever her reason that day, she doesn't seem to have realized what she did. Nor does she seem to remember it or harbor any ill will towards me.

Huh. All I did was say hello in an attempt to be nice. Can it really be that simple? What just happened here? I shake my head and enter the conference room. Amazing.