Accusation

Today is one of the weird days of my life.

I learned a bit about something. Accusation.

Two nights ago, i was eating downstairs in the hostel cafeteria. My roommate saw me and since she was going out, passed me her purse and asked me to bring it up to the room for her when i was done.

Normally, i would not have agreed to such a request. But normally, i would not have lost things which aren't mine.

And so, somehow i lost her purse. And it was gone and taken.

Police report etc.

Then she was annoyed because apparently, after reporting to the guards, we found out that this is quite a normal case in the hostel. Yet, nothing much is being done. She felt that it was incredulous because well...the hostel is supposed to be a second home. And who the heck watches out for thieves in their own homes while having dinner?

Anyway, she went to the management to complain and they thought that it must have had something to do with me. I don't blame them, i guess. It's a strange story in itself.

So, today i went to see them. I was actually quite nervous, afraid that i might break down because i was never good at taking accusations. So i whispered a little prayer that my answer may be of truth and may be words of wisdom.

There were two of them and they asked me polite questions which i answered to the best i could. Then, the third officer walked in on us from her room and they told her that i was "that girl's friend whom the purse was passed to".

She was about to leave but upon hearing that, she stopped at the door, turned to stare at me for a long time. I returned her stare. Then she exchanged looks with the other two.

I have never looked accusation in the eye before. Of course, i know that i have been accused for various things before; some even comical. But to have a stranger look at me, eyes filled with accusation and disbelief..now that was something. I felt a bit angry, to be honest. And then i realised that my anger had something to do with self- righteousness. I felt that i have always upheld integrity a tad bit more than others around me. How could anyone think that i'd steal? I would never stoop that low. That of course..is bullocks. I'm just a normal, imperfect person like everybody else.
I guess that kind of feeling and thought in itself, was selfish of me.

But then, i realised that there are others who have been wrongly accused and suffered for it. And with certainty, i know that there is in fact Someone who is perfect righteousness and the accusations He faced were way way greater.

And i wondered...



How did He do it? How did He keep His cool?

And above all, how does one love his accusers and return their looks of piercing judgment with a look of grace and mercy?