Stating Facts

So, im walking around my campus, doing loops, as I love to walk and just get some exercise in-between my classes. I notice there is a career fair going on, and decide, "Hey, id like to walk in there and see what companies are present, and maybe talk to a few people." So I walk up to the front door and I am promply stopped by a woman in her mid-40s. She tells me, I'm sorry sir but I cannot let you go inside because we have a strict dress code. I told her, oh, ok, I understand. I look inside, and sure enough everyone is wearing business suits head to bottom. Now, I am not offended by the fact I could not go in. I am a business major and I am smart enough to recognize that certain system invade the business environment and establish themselves as needed and absolute tradition (ex. You have to dress nice(expensive clothes) to be in business). I understand that, I understand how it works and why. However, I was eventualy upset by the woman, not by what she was telling me like she assumed, but by where she was coming from. Let me explain. I stood at the door and just looked inside, trying to figure out what companies were inside. She again repeated, this time slighly more reserved.."I'm sorry but I cannot let you go inside, you must be wearing a suit." At this point, I'm thinking to myself, I heard you the first time and I understand, so I told her...I understand. And I asked her if there were a list of the companies involved that I could have. Then, a third time she said "I'm sorry, but you cannot go inside unless you have a business suit." There was a sense of insecurity in her as she said these things, and it drove me crazy that she had to repeat herself three times. I then promptly said "I understand mam!, and I am not offended by the rule, thank you for your communication!" and I proceded to walk off. In other words, I was openminded to those rules, and not closed minded and offended like she assumed. The moral of the story :-) Rules while sometimes good, can cause uncertainty and discension amoung people. She probably had several people go off on her because of that rule, and so she just assumed I was like all the others, which gave her a prejudice towards me, to the point where she couldnt understand that I was OK with that and was not upset with her. I wish I could have engaged her, and talked to her, but she was in "defence" mode from the outset. Afraid to inform me, but knowing she had to anyway. This is a good example of what happens when we as Christians attempt to operate under the law, instead of Grace. We go into a situation knowing we have information that could offend someone, and in the past we have upset people with this information so we assume all people are the same way. Because we believe this going in, we are going to be more closed off, not listen, probably be operating from fear, and surely miss an opportunity to serve God, who works in and through "all" situations, whether they are spiritually dressed nice or not. Just some thoughts. Be open at all times, for you stand in Grace and Truth, and from these things we can show Love, and we know there is no fear in Love, there is no offence in love. Love is not offensive in nature!