What Would You Do?

You're enjoying a day in the Big City.  It's a treat being out here, as recently you've grown weary of the more rustic surroundings of your neighborhood.  You're walking along the street and run across a merchant with a familiar look to him.  You realize that the merchant belongs to the same people group you had encountered on previous trips out West.  This is a welcome sight, given all your difficulties interacting with the majority (looking) people here.  Your heart immediately feels a soft spot.  The merchant beckons you to try a sampling of his wares.  You oblige, excited that you have an opportunity to interact with a people group that brings back fond memories.  However, the merchant pushes his wares on you, insisting you pay a ridiculous price, far beyond their worth.  You politely decline and ask that you purchase half of what he wants.  The merchant begins to grow angry.  He has already set aside the amount for you to purchase.  A crowd begins to hover as the man raises his voice.  Dumbfounded you look at your teammate for help.  Meanwhile, the man continues to yell. 

What would you do?
A.  Leave.  You don't need to be swindled. 
B.  Start asking for the gift of tongues to communicate in the man's heart language.
C.  Pay the man.  You sacrifice your rights, but ultimately, it's little sacrifice. 
D.  Cry.

Allow me to snap back into first person and explain that this was the scenario given to me today.  Let me also say that two things that break my heart are 1) being misunderstood and 2) being yelled at.  Here they were happening simultaneously, and I felt helpless to do anything about it.  Though my first instinct was A, I chose B, C, and D.   

This man carried an obvious chip on his shoulder.  I thought of what his story must be--marginalized by the majority peoples, and having to cheat in order to earn a living--the cheating being justified with the many injustices dealt his way.  And here I was with my majority 'face,' with plenty of onlookers from the majority peoples looking on.  I knew they would have walked away.  As the merchant turned his back to get our change, I started crying out loud to Father, with AC chiming in.  It unexpectedly produced a well of tears so that when the man turned back to us, he was met with a face streaming with tears.  Almost in unison, AC and I said 'thanks' in his heart language.  This must have confused him because his countenance softened.  We left, and I could still feel the stares of the people behind us.  AC handed me a tissue.       

I cannot love in my own strength. I thought that by seeing a familiar face that I was able to love in the past would bring some measure of comfort.  Instead it showed me that love cannot insist on its own way.  I am to love the peoples here, despite all that I've struggled with to be accepted.  And yet I know that I cannot love without Someone loving me first.  For that love was paid a great price, far greater than what was sacrificed today.