My family and I were recently standing in the line to watch “The Greatest Show On Earth” at the Norfolk Scope. The line was fairly long as we were preparing to go in to the circus.  To our left were PETA protesters. They were protesting the circus because of the animals it uses in its acts.

The protestors were peaceful, and most of them held their signs quietly, though one gentleman was very boisterous.

Dr. Morgan and Dr. Trinity didn’t understand who they were or what they were doing, and they were smiling and waving at the protesters, saying hello to them all. They did this over and over, but nobody responded to say hello to a 6- and 5-year-old.

Here is my point: Don’t get so caught up in your agenda that you fail to acknowledge those who are willing to love you in spite of how you feel about where you are in life.

There are many, who, like the PETA protestors, are so caught up in their own agendas that they fail to respond to those who simply want to say hello.

What amazed me is that they were willing to protest for an animal but wouldn’t speak to a child.

Maybe you are not protesting at a circus, protesting some perceived problem in a friend’s life. Your agenda is affecting your friendship. It’s your agenda that is hindering you from accepting the one who is standing in front of you saying hello. But because you are so hurt over some past wrong, you would rather frown at the present and ignore the possibilities of the future.

Having an agenda is fine. Just know that it is OK to adjust it at any given time.

Selah

Domenick Epps is a Suffolk resident, real estate agent and youth pastor. Email him at DomenickEpps.Realtor@gmail.com.