Defiant

What does it mean to be defiant? Does it mean you don’t listen, don’t do what you’re told, are unteachable, unreachable, and hard to handle? Or does it mean that you are steadfast, strong in your convictions, and won’t take no for an answer? I guess that depends on the individual.

When I was a child I was very defiant, not out of meanness but just because I was testing who I was as a person. When I was in the third grade I had decided to stop doing homework. My mom was called in for a parent teacher conference due to my grades falling. As we are sitting there Mrs Morgan tells my mama “I don’t think Brad is smart enough to be in a regular 3rd grade class”. Of course like any mom would she questioned as to why. It was because I had stopped doing any and all homework. I was asked why I wasn’t doing my homework because my mama knew I was smart enough. “Mrs Morgan says homework is to practice what you learned in class, and my lowest test score is 100. So I don’t think I need more practice”. Mrs Morgan verified that in her grade book, and mama politely responded to her that it was obvious that I was smart enough and she assured her I would start doing my homework. I being defiant promised her I wouldn’t and I remained grounded to my room for eight months with no phone no tv no contact with the outside world. Because I was being stubborn.

Later in life when it come to my career I have been defiant because I thought I was the smartest person around. I had decided my way was the best way and that’s the way I was going to do it. I have risked my job, my health, and my safety just to be right. You tell me I can’t get it done and I will show you. Both of these kind of defiant can be harmful. They can put you and others in a place you’re not comfortable, safe, or prepared to be in.

Defiance doesn’t always have to be bad as I have come to discover later in life. In this culture we are forced to conform to public want even if it’s not what you want. We are made to accept things and allow things to keep from offending others. We are taught that we can’t follow Christ because it may cause others to get their feelings hurt. This is where my defiant human spirit takes over. I will stand up for my family, I will stand up for the ones I love, I will stand up for my church, and I will stand up for my God. Because one day soon I will be standing before him to answer for all that I have done on this earth. For the way I treated people, for the way I led my family, and for all of the times I have fallen short of God. One thing I will not have to answer for is why I refused him.

Sometimes your way isn’t the best way, sometimes you’re going to have to follow, sometimes you’re going to have to put your foot down and buck the system. I will rely on God to lead me in each case. I love you.