The Hurge’s failure to gratefully consume my grandmother’s well-prepared food and then proceed to thank her, was a massive mistake on their part. The road of life is full of curves and meanderings. At times the obstacles are not what they appear to be. They are not always rocks or boulders. Sometimes they are only twigs and pebbles but we had better ensure we don’t stumble over them. They had both been tripped up by a mere cultural and social norm and their ignorance would cost them dearly. There was barely any peace in our home after that occurrence. My grandmother had subsequently lost all respect for them. For some reason, she argued with Mr. Hurge and dressed him down severely while he was standing at her bedroom door. The imperceptible messengers of mercy, sent by providence to aid us. Are often those employed to give us the strongest, bitterest, but most urgently needed medicine. The door was locked. But instead of accepting her criticisms gracefully and humbly and attempting to reform his conduct. He kicked her door in, which struck her in the forehead. Since she was obviously standing too close behind it. As proud and grandiose as he was it was impossible for him to endure any kind of negative character appraisal. This was the thanks he dished out to her for all her altruistic acts of humane benevolence.
“Let grace be shown to the wicked, Yet he will not learn righteousness;
In the land of uprightness, he will deal unjustly, And will not behold the majesty of the Lord.” Isaiah 26:10 (NKJV).
Many times I had to stand between them both. To prevent any kind of physical altercation. When I felt that the social climate in our home had deteriorated far enough I spoke to the Hurges. “Folks, it’s obvious that you and my grandmother don’t get along. I think the time has come for you to move along because I don’t want any problems.” The very fact that I had to give them such a directive was disconcerting. These were quote-unquote two adults in their mid-thirties. Yet they couldn’t bring themselves to buzz off when circumstances demanded it. I wasn’t aware of it back then but it’s abundantly clear to me now. These two people were not only suffering from Dependent Personality Disorder. The husband by virtue of his poor judgment, grandiose demeanor, emotional callousness, and blatant mood swings was clearly a Manic Depressive Psychotic. Their tenacious and parasitic clinging to my family betrayed a need that couldn’t be met by any human agent. They both desperately needed Christ. Not only for healing but based on my experience for every other provision.
“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, ‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come,
And all shall be ashamed Who are incensed against Him. In the Lord all the descendants of Israel Shall be justified, and shall glory.’” Isaiah 45:22-25 (NKJV).
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:9-10 (NKJV).
Being a student at the University of Bristol and studying to be a Social and Welfare Officer. Our lodger routinely came in contact with several people from all walks of life. That kind of social intercourse will ultimately reveal exactly who you are, and if a lack of requisite humility is your besetting sin. Then your true character will quickly be exposed. This is exactly what happened to our grandiose, self-centered, dependent personality, Mr. Hurge. He had an encounter with a member of the public who lived near the university campus and lost his temper. As if that was not bad enough he excoriated her until she was reduced to tears. His point was that she didn’t appreciate how important he was. There are some salient truths that for some strange reason it’s impossible for some people to grasp. That being humble, courteous, and compassionate, will do far more to impress people favorably than acting as if you are a prince with extremely poor manners.
“Pride goes before destruction And a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18-19 (NKJV).
“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 (NKJV).
She called the university and complained to the head of Mr. Hurge’s department. Apparently, she was not the only member of the community at large that he had rubbed the wrong way. Consequently, Mr. Hurge was kicked out of the program. People in general talk a great deal about the hereafter. Heaven according to scripture must be a very wonderful place. We are all rewarded, however, in this life. There is no escape from the present consequences of our actions.
“Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.” Deuteronomy 32:35 (NKJV).
About twenty years later my grandmother ran into Mr. Hurge while riding on a train in The City of New York. She recognized him immediately. “Aren’t you Hurge?” She questioned. He looked at her pretending not to recognize her. “Yes, you are Hurge,” she insisted. Fate had brought them face to face once more. But for what purpose? Was it to give him an opportunity to thank her for her past kindness? Or was it to remind him of his past mistakes? “How is your wife?” She asked. “She’s well,” he finally replied. “Do you have any kids?” She continued. “No, we don’t.” He answered. How could they have any children at all? Their lives were consumed with self-centeredness. They were absolutely incapable of giving or sharing. They were specialists in receiving and taking, and their lives were a testament to who they were.
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