Back in high school, I was late so often that one day, I was sent to the principal’s office. And so, while sitting in front of him, the National Anthem started to play over the school speakers. He got up from his chair and, looking at me, asked why I didn’t stand up. I told him I was a JW and he got extremely aggressive and told me there would be a world of trouble if I didn’t get up. I told him that it would probably be a better show of respect for the National Anthem to remain silent until the end. Is face turned into a darker red and he turned his back on me. In the meantime, I prayed to God to calm him down. At the end, he calmly turned back, gave me a permission slip and told me to get out of his office.
Attributing his change of attitude to God, I shared the story with an Elder who wanted me to present the story in front of the congregation. However, he wanted to change “why” I was in the principal’s office in the first place. He wanted to make up some other reason and I didn’t want to lie. So, I never delivered that experience on stage.
Never regretted it.