By Michael L. Alumbaugh © 2023
“ . . . respond with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
Have you ever been accused of something that you didn’t do? I have several times, but God is faithful to deliver. Here’s my memory of one of those early victories.
It was a Friday night during my freshman year and the middle of the basketball season. I’m not much of a sports enthusiast, but I went to the game anyway. I wanted to see how we’d do against some tough opposition.
As the game pushed toward halftime, our team, the Panthers, had gained a healthy lead. With that in mind, I decided to head for the concession stand early to beat the rush. I made my way past the crowded bleachers to the exit doors and out into the hallway of the main building.
Just around the corner was the stand. There were a few people hanging around it chatting with the staff so I meandered around for a while. That’s when I heard a familiar voice echoing my name further down the hallway. “Hey, Mike! Come here.”
It was Jerry, one of my classmates from Metal Shop. He was from another town but assigned to our rural school. We’d hit it off, though he was a stranger to our area. (I tend to be a loner, but seem to be drawn to people who need a friend.) I headed his way.
As I approached him, I noticed he was accompanied by four other guys, ones I didn’t recognize. They were probably school mates from his hometown. With a welcoming smile, I greeted them. “Hey, how’s it going?”
Turning toward Jerry, I noticed something odd about him. He seemed different. As he approached me, he staggered. By all appearances, he seemed a bit tipsy and his speech was slurred. “Well, hey, I need to talk to you.”
I responded warmly, ‘What about?”
Now showing a more stern expression, he swaggered toward me. His buddies surrounded us. In an accusing tone he commanded, “You stole my watch! Now, give it back.”
Slightly perplexed, I replied, “Jerry, I’m your friend. Why would I steal your watch?” Honestly, I didn’t even know he had a watch.
With that, his companions clinched their fists and edged in closer. Stepping toward me, he retorted, “Well, maybe you’re lying.”
Outwardly, I felt intimidated, but inwardly I had a calm, confident inner peace. I looked directly into his eyes, smiled again, and replied, “Friends don’t lie to each other, and they don’t steal from each other either. Jerry, you and I are friends!”
At that, he paused. I could see the wheels turning in his head. My comment had hit a positive note with him. The stressed look he’d confronted me with diminished. He responded, “Mike, you’re right. We’re friends and you’ve never lied to me.”
With that, his buddies backed away. Then a couple of the guys took hold of his arms and escorted him out the back exit to the parking lot. The others followed. As I watched, they wandered into the darkness and disappeared into the night.
Was I a bit shaken and afraid? Yes, a little. But I knew we were friends and I had done no wrong. I cared too much about him and our friendship. The following Monday, we saw each other in class. He acted his normal self and the Friday incident seemed to have never occurred. So, I didn’t bring it up, but, instead, just let it go.
I never thought I’d be approached like that or falsely accused. That was the first time I recall something like that ever happening to me and, unfortunately, it wouldn’t be the last.
As Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” We, as Christians, need to always pursue a clear conscience and testimony of the work Jesus has done in our hearts and lives. One way that seems most effective is by wearing a warm smile and offering kind speech. We need to be approachable. We are the light of Christ to this world. Any dishonesty or questionable actions from us smear the sacredness of the work Jesus has done in us as well as others.
Dr. James Dobson said it this way; “One of the most important responsibilities in the Christian life is to care about others, smile at them, and be a friend to the friendless.” Jesus was exactly that. We should follow in His steps.
Dig a Little Deeper: Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 118:6; Isaiah 41:10; Ephesians 6:13-16; Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 3:15; Proverbs 15:1
Published in the November 2023 issue of Black River Times
