One In Every Crowd

It seems there is at least one in every crowd … they need attention. When they show up, they change the whole dynamic of the group. Recently I’ve been part of a gathering that is experiencing some disturbance in our force. One of the group (who shall remain nameless) has expressed their feelings in an email. The following is what they wrote:

One might say she was annoying.  She came in like door busters with ideas and stories she was sure were of interest to everyone.  Conversations ceased as she started in and I swear her car was her home because if you needed something, out to the car she went and returned with just the right solution or at least so she thought. 

She was at home with everyone and no one was a stranger.  Oh she knew so and so who was a friend of what’s her name and they may even be related.  She could top every experience with one of her own and she did so in a loud voice that carried across the room.

After a time, the group became divided.  There were those who cringed as her car entered the parking lot.  Some went so far as to leave before she entered.  Some never came at all so as not to risk being in her presence.  There were those who turned their backs to her so she couldn’t join in their conversations.  She was not one to be ignored and became more animated and loud. 

If you were considerate of her feelings, you were now in her web and it became harder and harder to converse with others and the conversations ceased but silence only drove her on, filling the void with more of herself.

It wasn’t the same, the old coffee shop, with easy friendships and quiet moments.  An intruder has entered and taken over.  Funny, it wasn’t that long ago that many of these people were strangers to me.  Now I consider them friends.  Why, I have even been to some of their homes or places of business.  I am comfortable with them. 

Why then, does this one person receive so much notoriety?  She is just one of the group now and shouldn’t she be tolerated and even enjoyed just for being one of the group?

"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,"

Ephesians 4:2 ESV

My question today … for all of us … is “Could this person be me? Exactly how do others feel in my presence? Am I overbearing and oblivious to other’s reactions?”

Now you can ponder the same thoughts I’ve been having.

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 (NASB)