Wham!

"Get up!"

I didn't move.

"I said....GET UP!"

I carefully moved all of my limbs and made sure that nothing was hurt. The scrapes on my elbows would heal, but I was on the verge of having my ego severely damaged.

"GET UP! WE ARE GOING TO END THIS NOW!" The 7 foot giant screamed.

I looked up at this man I had unwittingly made angry and then glanced around at my fellow athletes. They just stared at me...I wasn't going to get any help with this one. I slowly stood up and turned to face my adversary.

WHAM! Back to the ground I went with the imprint of a very large fist on the side of my face. I landed on my back this time and decided that I would stay there for a little while.

"GET UP!"

I thought that maybe I could reason with the man from my safe position on the ground. There was no way I was going to be able to get a punch in and to be honest I was seeing two of him at this point and probably would miss if I tried.

"I didn't mean to foul you that hard (there was my first lie)...it was a mistake (there's the second one)...I am truly sorry (three for three)."

"GET UP!"

I once again looked at all of my teammates and they had decided that this was highly amusing. Here was a 25 year old man being pummeled by a 4o year old giant on a playground basketball court. I had intentionally fouled the man because he had shoved me earlier in the game. I would have gone and told the recess teacher but she had left about fifteen years earlier. It felt good when I fouled.....mugged.....him, but I was now paying for my immaturity.

"Listen...I'm sorry...it was a stupid move." I said this while trying to figure out the best route to the emergency room and trying to recall if I truly had clean underwear on.

"I don't care...get up." The man said with a tone of defiance.

I slowly got back to my feet and prepared to have my nose take up a new residence on the back of my head. I raised my eyes to his and saw a look of anger. He stared back at me with his fists clenched and for a brief moment I thought that I should try and take a swing but then thought better of it.

We just stared at each other in silence and as we did I saw the look of anger slowly subside. His eyes softened and I glanced down to see his fists unclench with a quick flick of the wrist. He slowly shook his head and then turned and walked away. He grabbed a water bottle, sat down, and slowly drank the life giving liquid. After a long pause he got back up and trotted out to the court where the rest of his team had gathered. My teammates came over to me and gave me some choice words many of which I can't repeat here. I rubbed my face and made sure that all of the bones were still intact and then headed back down the court.

I went and stood next to the 7 ft giant and prepared to guard him. There was no talking but as the ball was thrown into play I saw his hand come out in a welcoming gesture. I grasped it and with a quick squeeze all was forgiven, the game went on and we all enjoyed ourselves for a moment.

There are so many battles that are fought each day in this world. They range from local squabbles to world wide wars. There are instigators and there are victims. There are the angry and there are the sad. There are those who will fight and there are those who will sit on the ground and try to talk it out. These battles damage families, friendships, countries, and a host of other entities. People want to believe that they are in the right but if we don't recognize that being in the right is not the same as being in the know.......we are all in trouble.

What conflicts are you in right now? Are there battles that are being waged in your life? Are there people who you have banished because of a disagreement or an argument? Are there old friends that no longer have your trust? Have you offered a gentle hand or do you only give the cold shoulder?

Let the conflict be a source of education and offer the hand of forgiveness. God offers it to you and we should learn from our Father and do the same for others.

Involve God and life gets a little simpler......