Daily PresenceSample

When we first moved into our house, we had solicitors coming by 5-10 times a day from 8 in the morning until 7 at night. It began to wear on my patience. So, I decided to buy a little sign for our door that says, “No soliciting…seriously, don’t make it awkward.” It captured that perfect balance of, “Hey, man! I respect that you are just doing a job, but I ain’t buying what you’re selling!”

Despite my little sign, I would still get the occasional solicitor, but I often just didn’t answer the door. However, one time, while leaving the house, one of them was standing at my door as I was exiting the garage. He introduced himself and told me he had been by about a week ago, but that there was no answer. I responded that I was aware and asked if he read my sign. He responded that he did, but he just wanted to offer me some help. I replied, “The sign says no soliciting. Have a great day.” I got in my car, drove out of the neighborhood, and felt sick.

Sick with conviction. How could I speak to another person like that? Salesperson or otherwise? How am I supposed to claim to support the gospel when I am treating people as if the gospel isn’t real? Needless to say, my conviction took hold of me. I went searching for the man in my neighborhood as I assumed he’d still be going door-to-door. After a short while I found him and approached him. Thankfully, he didn’t start swinging. He just waited as I approached. “Hey, man. I am so sorry for the way I spoke to you. You are a human being and you don’t deserve to be spoken to that way. Please, forgive me. Thankfully, he was very kind and understanding and happily forgave me.

“I will punish their sin with the rod…but I will never stop loving him.” This is the comfort that we find in psalm 89. There is correction through the rod and conviction, but He will never stop loving us. Therefore, I have rethought my “no soliciting” sign on my door, and I now have a new pest control service. Hopefully while the guys clean out the cobwebs and bugs, God will continue to clean me out as well.