Relentless
You have to admire people who don't give up despite all attempts to stop or hinder them.
Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, 'Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.' But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, 'Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.' - Matthew 15:22-23
We know how this story ends. Jesus calls this woman a dog and then winds up helping her daughter because the woman continues to challenge him.
It wasn't just her persistence that got him to change his mind. She showed him that all are worthy of grace, not just the children.
We can learn something from this woman.
It may not be enough to be relentless in our pursuit of what we feel is right. We need to find a way to rephrase the request to change the perspective of the one whose opinion we want to sway.
In the beginning, the woman was shouting to get attention, and the disciples wanted Jesus to send her away.
Once Jesus acknowledged her, she calmed down and was able to get the upper hand in the conversation.
I have noticed the same is true in the people I encounter. The ones who are loud and boisterous may get attention, but no one wants to help them. No one feels for them in any way, nor can they put themselves in a similar position.
If we cannot relate, we won't help.
Sometimes we need to make a scene in order to get people to listen, but once we have their attention, we need to be ready to engage.
I think we all need to be reminded of that.
You've got my attention. Now what?
More to come...