A man in the neighborhood had a confrontation with one of the preschool teachers the other day. I was in my office so she brought him to me for some resolution of the issue. He was agitated and was seeking to use our playground for his children as he has in the past. That is not out of hand, but preschool was still in session and we couldn’t allow anyone onto the playground because we have a responsibility to the parents of our kids to provide a controlled environment.
Got the lay of the land?
The thrust of his argument seem to be that since we were “in the business of saving souls” (actual quote) that we should be more open and welcoming. I interpreted this as “if you were “really” a Christian, you’d let me have my way.” (my interpretation) Hackles raised instantly.
In one form or another I have heard this argument and I am getting quite tired of it. A child raised in a Christian home pulls it on her mother when she cannot handle her children. “A Christian would take her from me and raise her!” she shouts.
In this case, a wealthy man (he lives in a very nice neighborhood) seeks a relatively private playground for his children and he doesn’t want to pay for it. There is a public park less than a mile away but he prefers our place. His taxes pay for the city park, but he wants access to ours for free. Unless I cave to his demands, he accuses me of being un-Christian. And he says he’s got 12 years of parochial school to tell him what Christian behavior is. (I really wanted to tell him to go and try playing on a Catholic playground) therefore he knows better than I do how I should behave.
Do I need to mention that I was practically shaking with anger at this time? Not proud of it, it’s just true. I just have a hard time having patience with people who seem to deliberately try and manipulate me on the basis of my patience.
Message to the outside world: We are not stupid. We love Christ and we are striving to love you no matter what. But we are not going to let that stop us from standing up to abuse or scorn or worse, manipulation and deceit. We will share but sharing is not always giving outright. We have a right to live also, and to care about ourselves and to have hope for ourselves and for that to sometimes not include you.
Gracious Lord, make us gracious. Empower us to give but not to be taken. We are taken away by you and you alone. Let us now give knowing that we have all that we need.
You are right, we have an obligation to the parents and children who are enrolled in the school – and probably would have to answer to someone in the county school system if something went wrong – if you let him in while school is in session, you’d be obligated to let every family in the neighborhood in as well, and then there would be a total disruption and our little flock of children would be gone.
Just my take on it but the county has rules for pre-schools and we do have a limit as to how many chilldren can use our facilities.
I’d like to see him try that at a public school where his taxes actually pay for the grounds and play equipment. Thank you for doing what’s right and not succumbing to idiotic bullying. We should always turn the other cheek but defend what is important, especially from people who would misjudge our compassion as passivity.
Hey, not fair. You didn’t tell us what you told the guy. You were shaking with anger and then…???
I stated simply, and firmly that the rules did not allow for people not affiliated with the preschool to be present on the playground until such a time as the preschool was closed, that it was private property in any case, and that if the terms were unacceptable, he could find another place to play. I was surprised that I managed to not yell and to stand firm at the same time. Pleased, even.