you can't stop me

I just had the most rebellious thought.  And then it snowballed into dozens of others.  Total anarchy in my mind.  I feel so wild and crazy.

I can love someone who doesn't love me.  Even if she hates me, I can love her.  I can pray for her every single day and wish good for her and want God's best for her.  She doesn't believe in God?  That's ok. I do.  I can pray that the God she doesn't believe in just dumps blessing after blessing on her and chases her down with His kindness and love. 

And she can't stop me.

I can be kind to someone who is not kind to me.  Has never been kind to me and will never be kind to me.  Someone who will likely mock me for any kindness I show.  I can show kindness over and over and laugh to myself as I walk away, thinking...

"You can't stop me."

I can refuse to let any bad rumor I hear change my opinion of someone I care about.  I can decide that no matter how many bad choices he makes, no matter how messy he makes his life, I will not judge him.  I will be his friend if he ever needs me.  I will always believe the best about him.

No one can stop me.

I could work hard and do a really great job for an employer that has not treated me well or fairly.  I don't want to...I haven't been...and I'm not entirely sure yet if I actually will...but I could...

They couldn't stop me.

***

All that gets me to thinking how this kind of behavior could get right out of control...

I could over tip for bad service just to try and bless the servers that clearly despise their jobs.

I could let someone share his or her totally illogical and insane political argument that has no basis in fact or reality and just nod politely or say, "Hmm...I hadn't really thought of that" without any rebuttal whatsoever.

I could "like" a picture of the umpteenth "I love my spouse" challenge post and not roll my eyes or be jealous or resentful because even thought it's not my turn today someday it will be and I might want to post a lovey-dovey picture every single day.  Let's face it, I'm totally going to want to do that. 

I could forego the "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" yell and matching hand signals when someone is driving five under the speed limit in the passing lane, back up off his bumper and just smile sweetly when I finally get a chance to blow his doors off.

***

Yes, this might all lead to me getting taken advantage of or hurt or labeled a doormat or mocked and ridiculed.  I will probably look stupid...a lot.  It might be painful and expensive and exhausting and discouraging.  I might not make good time on the interstate.  It would certainly require me to die to myself repeatedly...but maybe that would be good practice.

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."  Luke 9:23

***

It's just a thought. 

I'm not saying I will do any of these things (I certainly don't want to right this minute) but perhaps I should at least consider it...because I could...

No one could stop me.