Diplomacy Employed

Ravenous wolves, hungry for the first signs of weakness; then, the first inklings of a fall, circle their prey. Teeth bared and snarling emitting vicious accusations without substance send signal to their companions who have not yet given chase.

They gather strength by gathering numbers, adding to the crescendo - circling, circling . . .laying in wait for blood.

For the second time, I have witnessed the power and effect of peer pressure upon teens in this particular culture we are currently ensconced in. For the second time, the prey has been a member of my family. First, my son, in a previous incident; last night, my daughter.

The children had a much-anticipated evening out. It was a simple routine that we employed: drop-off, pick-up.

This time, however, picking up proved eventful. As my vehicle entered the lot, a bevy of teens encircled and then closed in on the car, as my children tumbled in. Then, the rapping on the window; the demand that I release my child. For what cause?

Their gleeful entrapment by the police.

Wha??

Casting an acknowledging nod to the teen-aged vixen of a messenger, I deftly pressed on through the crowd, wheeled into a parking space, and parked. Turning to the back seat, a grilling of the transpired events of the eve.

Further puzzlement became my understanding, as the horde, now surrounding the stationery vehicle demanded their prey. From my daughter's view, and with witness of her brother, they had become victims in a game of "Bully Invents A Problem."

Aubrey had wisely engaged the employees of the establishment as protective shields, and wisely utilized 'retreat and ignore' tactics that seemed to have served her well thus far.

The rapping at my window intensified.

Israel's story line, while engaging different components of the "situation" delivered the truth of the matter: someone was looking for trouble - and they were willing to stir it up, if need be.

As my frustration mounted with the insistent rap, rap, rap! at my left ear, I turned in quick motion, to find my self face to face with a set of parents.

A set of parents???

Yes. It was true. The wolf-pack had broken ranks, and now, the remaining voice of accustion came from parents who were employing what I veiwed to be continued teen-aged behaviour, instead of tact and diplomacy.

I could see it was up to me to difuse this whole debacle.

Yet, I couldn't do it alone. Summoning the Most High in a group prayer was my only recourse. Should these parents continue to use immature means of communication, there was no telling what might occur.

I stepped out of the car.

The next fifteen minutes seemed like an eternity that passed in the blink of any eye. My request had been that the Lord grant me the words to speak in that hour, as the job of the Spirit is identified in Scripture. To my pleasant expectation, He did just that. The accusations were proven to be false. I continued in conflict resolution skills, first between the teens, and then between the adults, anxious that the offspring they had care of be justified.

Crisis averted, accusations unfounded.

Thank you Lord.

We drove home in verbal wonderment, intrigued and appalled at the methodology of the flesh we had once again encountered, grateful for the hand of the Lord to deliver once again. The whole scene reminded me of the woman brought to Jesus by the angry mob, seeking to trap her:

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up
himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8: 9-11

What is it about this culture, that creates the peer mindset of capture and devour? I've not seen it elsewhere. Have you? Please share your experiennce(s).