Social Dyslexia

Social Dyslexia

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Proverbs 25:21 NIV

There is a learning disorder named Dyslexia. Dyslexia is not an intellectual disability, it is considered to be a receptive language-based learning disability. It can show itself with letters being written backwards or the use of the wrong choice of words. Dyslexic individuals are never cured, they are taught techniques on how to process information whether it is writing, reading or even arithmetic. There have been many times that I believed myself to be Dyslexic, though I have never been diagnosed. One such issue is what I will call Social Dyslexia. I get nervous in large crowds and about meeting new people. As a result, I clam up; I am at a loss for words. The only way I get through the social awkwardness is to have assistance from a nearby person I trust or to learn by examples from people that are adept at social situations.

My brother Scott helped me with an awkward social situation. We had a family member that got himself drunk and did some crazy things. Those crazy things landed him in the local jail. Scott called me at work. He asked me to get the crazy family member some clothes and cigarettes and deliver them to jail. I believe that Scott was unwittingly used by God to teach me something about how to respond to the unwise behaviors of people. The person I helped was by no means my enemy, but he had done some bad things. I learned from Scott that I could respond with kindness instead of condemnation. The bars were an obvious punishment for his dubious behavior. But I believe my purpose was to deliver hope, help and compassion where it wasn't deserved.

What may seem like a backwards response to trouble is, in God's mind, the appropriate response. When I get myself into trouble, God's response is forgiveness when I ask for it. And if I have received this "inappropriate" response from God, shouldn't I do the same for others?

If I have any sort of social dyslexia (if such a thing exists), I am thankful for it. While it is difficult and sometimes embarrassing, without it I would not have the lessons that God teaches me.