There is a Catholic school with a large playground and sports field in a small town near my house. I decided to go metal detecting there one day. I was not out for 15 minutes when a lady pulled up in a car and asked me what I was doing. The first thing I noticed was a big gold cross around her neck and the total negative and bitter attitude she had. She asked me what I was doing and I said, "metal detecting." She told me that this was private property and I could not metal detect there. She said kids played there and she did not want me digging holes. I went and found the person in charge and asked him if I could detect there. He gave me permission. I was in the wrong for not asking first. I just assumed because it was a small town that it would be no problem. The one thing that really stuck with me was the big gold cross around her neck and the total negative attitude she had. That was around two years ago.
Last week I decided to visit the place again. This time I went and talked to the same guy and he said it was ok to detect. I was not out there for 15 minutes and I get a visit from an angry woman who asked me if I had lost something. I said no I am metal detecting. I then told her I had permission and had just asked 15 minutes ago and was told it was ok. She was angry and mumbled something about kids playing there and digging holes. It had to be the same person from a couple years earlier. People use that area all the time for softball practice, soccer practice and all kinds of other activites, maybe she just has it in for people who metal detect.
When I was an unbliever this was the exact type of person that made me feel justified why I wasnt a christian or didnt want to be one. I would say, I am living a better life than they are. I try to do good, etc. They are all a bunch of hypocrites.
After she walked away in a huff and I had time to think about it I wished I would have invited her over to watch me dig a target and I could have showed her that she would probably not even been able to tell where I had dug. But you know how it is when someone blasts you like that you cant think at the time.
I hope she comes around again while I am metal detecting so I can talk to her and invite her to come with me while I recover some targets and show her that most people who metal detect are not out digging huge holes in the ground and leaving them uncovered for kids to trip in and show her the love of Christ.
I have my days too where I am sure that my actions are not what they should be but it makes me realize there are people that are watching us. People like I used to be looking for an reason to not like christians. It makes me realize that we are an example and especially when we say we are christians people do watch us and take note of our actions.
Last week I decided to visit the place again. This time I went and talked to the same guy and he said it was ok to detect. I was not out there for 15 minutes and I get a visit from an angry woman who asked me if I had lost something. I said no I am metal detecting. I then told her I had permission and had just asked 15 minutes ago and was told it was ok. She was angry and mumbled something about kids playing there and digging holes. It had to be the same person from a couple years earlier. People use that area all the time for softball practice, soccer practice and all kinds of other activites, maybe she just has it in for people who metal detect.
When I was an unbliever this was the exact type of person that made me feel justified why I wasnt a christian or didnt want to be one. I would say, I am living a better life than they are. I try to do good, etc. They are all a bunch of hypocrites.
After she walked away in a huff and I had time to think about it I wished I would have invited her over to watch me dig a target and I could have showed her that she would probably not even been able to tell where I had dug. But you know how it is when someone blasts you like that you cant think at the time.
I hope she comes around again while I am metal detecting so I can talk to her and invite her to come with me while I recover some targets and show her that most people who metal detect are not out digging huge holes in the ground and leaving them uncovered for kids to trip in and show her the love of Christ.
I have my days too where I am sure that my actions are not what they should be but it makes me realize there are people that are watching us. People like I used to be looking for an reason to not like christians. It makes me realize that we are an example and especially when we say we are christians people do watch us and take note of our actions.
God Bless! Betty
