A few weeks ago I walked into a local fast food place hoping
for a quick meal. As I entered, there
were few customers, so I was in luck, or so I thought. The people behind the
counter looked up saw me waiting; even acknowledged me and went on with their
work. After waiting eons longer for
someone to wait on me, God reminded me of a verse in James “Everyone should be
quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. I decided to change
my lunch plans. As I left, I was quite
annoyed and hurt. After all, they should
have waited on me. Is that any way to
run a business? I was still a little
“put out” about the situation when I got back home. I decided that I should let the manager know
what happened. It was only reasonable to
expect prompt service and the employees completely ignored me. Who would blame me? In fact, most people would have hollered
right there in the restaurant. At least
I didn't do that. Later as I was working
on a puzzle, God said “are you through ranting?
I was. Then he said, “I know you
could complain and go to their supervisors, but what if you show mercy
instead”. Ouch! What if you let the offence go and do
nothing? I was humbled right then. Why not give them mercy even though they
certainly didn't deserve it. When it
comes right down to it, I don’t deserve God’s mercy either, yet he gives
it. Showing mercy is part of how we show
others we love them. Whether I’m at home, or at work, church or any other place
it is easier to cover an offence and forgive than to hold on to the anger over
something that God may say doesn't matter.
I am glad that God reminded me not to get angry first, and then I’m
praising God that he corrected my attitude.
I can walk with a lighter step because I am not carrying around regret
over an action, or anger and unforgivness.
In fact God says that “mercy triumphs over judgment”. God prefers that we be as merciful to others as he is to us.
