Dilema - The Resolution

So there I was.

A homless guy on one side, an abused partner on the other.

And on the third side of this messed up triangle, the social worker saying, Don't tell!'

Scott in the middle.

So . . . . .

I told the guy that I had called the shelter and that they had no idea where she was.
I said sorry, I couldn't help him, and he left.

I had about 60 seconds of anxst as I walked from the office back outside to tell the guy the news. But I gotta be honest, I was pretty OK with my decision after that.

I emailed the situation to the rest of the pastoral staff (not because of the dilema, but so they would not get sucked in by this guy if he came back). But I did let slip that I felt a bit weird about the whole thing. One of my collegues emailed me this rely . . .

"Gal 5:14"

Short but sweet. It reads . . .

14The entire law is summed up in a single command:
"Love your neighbor as yourself "

(Craig, you stole my thunder!)

The spirit level of the law is love. Always as been. So that was a good word for a temporarily confused minsiter, don't you think?

Craig's comment that in fact the homless guy lied to me in order to (most probably) continue his evil ways also plays a big part methinks.

Besides, the reason the commandments are written in the negative form ("Do not murder") is so that we may embrace the bigness of the opposite. In other words, to obey the commandment, 'Do not murder' you must preserve and treasure life. That is what the Pharasees never understood, which is why Jesus nails them for turning the law into a burden for men's backs.

I hope in not honouring the word of a liar I have helped to preserve and treausre someone elses life.

I pray that I have used the law 'lawfully' and maybe given a women with a rough past a shot at a better future.

Scott

Dilema

At last, a post to get 'Zombie Attack' off the front page.

I had a dilema yesterday. I made a choice.
I am interested to know what you would have done if you were in my shoes.

A homeless man came to church yesterday and told me he had 'lost' his wife. She had left and he didn't know where was was. Could I ring the shelter that he thinks she might have gone to to check if she is there?

I say sure.

I make the call an as soon as I introduce myself and mentioned the ladies name, the social worker tells me that she knows this couple well.

But, they are not married.

He is a chronic abuser.

This social worker has been there to witness when he put his 'wife' into hospital. She tells me that the lady is staying with them but wants nothing more to do with him. (Which is a good thing). She is now sober and has the support of her family in getting back on track. She tells me not to let him know where she is.

Oh, did I mention that at the moment we are doing the 10 Commandments in bible study? Haven't reached #9 yet (do not bear false witness), but we are close.

So I walk back outside and say to the guy . . .

[To be continued]

What would you have said?

What should I have said?

Scott