A Nevispages weekly feature by Curtis Morton Sr
The way I see it, being insulted is a really hurtful experience.
In my Primary school days, we used to refer to insults getting a BRUKFOOT.
I know that some of the psychological experts would tell me that an insult can only be categorized as such, if it is accepted by the intended recipient, as an insult.
I remember hearing a story about this young man, who was overly fascinated by a particular young lady, but for whatever reason, she was not similarly inclined and made no bones about letting him know that his presence was not appreciated. Insults after insults, the young man persisted in proclaiming his love for the young lady.
One day, while he was with a group of friends, the young lady passed by. Anticipating an insult, he did not call out to her, in front of his friends.
However, because they knew that he liked the girl, they encouraged him to go after her. He followed after her, calling out her name and she ignored him. As he got closer and wanting to impress his friends, he reached out and touched her. The young lady wheeled around and spat in his face. The young man in response was heard to say: ‘I still love you!’
I guess he did not take it as an insult….
I also do not subscribe to the age old theory, that: ‘Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can do me no harm.’ Nutten tall go so pupa!
Within the last week or so, I have had some horrifying experiences. I have put it all down to the process of aging, in terms of a logical explanation.
Firstly, I was putting something onto the back seat of my bus, when the door suddenly got away from my right hand and slammed shut on one of the fingers on my left hand. As I quickly opened the door, I checked to make sure that the finger was still intact. It was, but it was bleeding profusely.
To make matters worse, when I screamed out in agony, my dilemma had attracted the attention of at least two persons nearby and one of them found it quite entertaining: She had a good laugh.
Secondly, I was at home and was hurrying to get a message to someone waiting at my gate. I pulled my front door so quickly, that it slammed into my forehead. I mean, I saw all of the stars in the galaxy, along with Jupiter, Mars and Pluto.
Well I newa!
Normally when a door hits you like that, it would result in a bump of sorts, but this time, it actually resulted in a cut. More blood.
However, if I thought that that was bad, there was more to come.
On Wednesday, I had the occasion to visit a particular office, in order to deliver a package to someone. I normally know the person as being very amicable and so I greeted the individual in my usual jolly way and noted that this time around, there was no smile in response. I did not think much of it, but even after I gave her the package, which was one, I think she was anticipating, she just looked sad. I think that it was her demeanor that prompted me to ask: ‘So, I heard there is an illness in the family?’
She coolly responded: ‘It’s okay.’
Now stupid me, thought that maybe she did not understand that I was attempting to empathize and not necessarily ‘looking news’, so I persisted with: “We are praying for you all, we have been asked to pray for you all.’
Her response was as shocking as it was vicious: ‘You may leave now!’ Boy, I walked right into that! I really did not expect it and so I walked right into it.
Trust me, that one hurt me more than the finger in the door episode and the front door banging into my forehead— combined!
For up to an hour later, I kept pondering on what I said wrong and what could have caused a normally pleasant young lady to react like that.
I guess there are many possible reasons, but one thing I am certain of is that God would not want me to hate the young sister, nor react in a similar manner to her if the opportunity arises. So, I am trying to console myself that maybe she was just having a bad day. Maybe her boyfriend had just called her and told her that they were finished. Maybe, she just had an argument with her mom, or another family member. Maybe, she was just told that she was not receiving the promotion that she was anticipating.
I mean maybe…………..
The list goes on.
However, I must still love that young lady and wish her well, because God has so ordained and so it must be.
That’s the way I see it. How do you see it?