Well, If That Really Makes You Feel Better...
Have you ever noticed how hard some people are to get along with? They seem to always be upset, grumpy, or just plain angry about something all the time. And then there are the ones who are always complaining about something. You know, the ones who are never happy, no matter what they get, and who make you want to pull out your hair? Then there are the ones who watch you over your shoulder to make sure you are doing things the right way.
Being in customer service, I have had to deal with these people more than once. (Frankly, more than I sometimes consider fair.) And honestly, more than once I have expressed my great relief that they are gone- both to myself, and out-loud. And then I may poke fun at them, or gripe about them, sometimes for hours. Which is a natural human reaction.
But then I realized something; is that they way Jesus would act? Would He be impatient with them (even if it was inward, not outward)? Would He gripe and complain about them? Would He make fun of them? The answer: N-O!! Instead, He would love them, and reach out to them. (A novel idea, indeed.)
I was really convicted and prayed about my attitude, asking Him to change me.
There was one customer who had especially been giving me problems. He comes every day, and orders the same thing. And he was never happy about it- it was never right. It got to the point where I would shake when I was serving him. I prayed about this specific situation and asked God to help me show this impossible man His love.
The next day, he came in, and I was nervous as usual. I prayed for God's strength. He came to the register, and instead of shaking, I SMILED at him, being very pleasant. Then I did something I had not yet done- I got his name. Which made him smile. And then as I was serving him, I explained the whole process as I went along, explaining why I did certain things. I finally gave him his order, and he tried it- and got a BIG smile on his face. He said that it was wonderful, the best he had had yet!
As it turns out, he was just lonely. He's an elderly gentleman, who is no longer married, and just needs someone to talk to him, and take an interest in him, even if it's just for a few minutes. I don't know if I'll ever be able to share the Gospel with him, but I have a new friend. It amazing what happens when you do what God commands and just love people!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
