Article February 1, 1993 Issue

When we care enough to pray

We're not helpless when faced with aggressive, intimidating behavior. It can be stopped through the power of prayer.

LaMeice Harding Schierholz

Our home was situated on a corner lot, and the garage doors faced the high school across the street. For years, much to my dismay, these doors served as a billboard for messages. Gangs from outside the area would leave messages for other gangs from the school. Regardless of how many times, over a dozen or so years, we repainted those doors, the graffiti would reappear. Finally, frustrated and discouraged, we considered it a losing battle and just learned to live with it.

One Friday afternoon, breaking from my usual routine, I came home for lunch. Actually, it was my last day at my job, and I needed to make some personal telephone calls. When I arrived home, I couldn't believe my eyes. From the curb where I parked my car, up the walkway, and on the front door itself there were graffiti in bold orange paint. And to add to the insult, the offenders were standing there with paint cans in hand, lining the path to my front door. I was stunned as I made my way through their defiant glares.

Once I stepped into my home, the shock turned into anger. I don't believe I have ever felt so totally offended, so utterly used, and so intensely helpless. How dare they deface my property! How could they use my home for venting their frustration!

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