When it was my turn, the young lady at the counter let out a loud "Whew" and began talking about how mean the lady was. My response - "She was evil." Both me and the young lady didn't allow the spirit in this woman to affect us. The young lady working in Walmart delivered good service to this customer regardless to her haughtiness towards her. I kept my composure and didn't "let this lady have it".
We are all going to be in situations where the spirit of God in us is tested. It is at these times where we have to remember whose we are. It's so easy to let loose and "let someone have it". What is this really going to accomplish? The reality of it is, while we may feel better emotionally, it's probably a missed opportunity to win someone to the Kingdom of God. I know...it's a lot easier said than done :) But we are encouraged to not repay evil with evil, but with kindness (1 Peter 3:9).
While it took me a minute to calm down after this, I was rejoicing spiritually. This was a sign of growth. For those that know me personally, they know that I have no problem telling someone how I feel or how they have affected me. This time was a bit different, though. I'm so glad the Holy Ghost in me STOOD UP at this very moment. The longer I stood in line, the following Scripture came to mind -
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget
to show hospitality to strangers, for
by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2)
This encounter today has encouraged me to do just what the Word of God says...show hospitality to strangers. For all she knows, she encountered an "angel" today and didn't even know it! The principle of sowing and reaping is real (Galatians 6:7-9). I hope this posts plants a good seed in someone. Keep on doing good no matter what, remembering whose you are - a child of the Most High!
Abundant blessings,
~Tee
Part of the Process is keeping God first and remembering we are his 'called' and when we are called we represent Him. That woman no matter how upset or mean she was did see a person who was nice back to her whether she wanted to admit it or not, when she get in her car and sit down and think, she knows you could have treated her the way she treated you. " But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57. Considering how you would have responded to her in the past and how you responded that day...that was a victory and also, the cashier saw you as a light.
ReplyDeleteThe most effective way to let our light shine is 'in dark places' and that was a dark place. It's not always easy to turn that light on when it's dark, but when we realize "Whose we are" God will shine through us in the darkest situations.
Thank God for GROWTH, thank God for the VICTORY, and for being a WITNESS in that situation.
Amen!
ReplyDeleteWay to grow in virtue! I would have had a hard time being kind, too, but I agree the joy of winning that spiritual battle is worth every second we grit our teeth and grin. :D
ReplyDelete@Grace: Thank you, my sister! And I'm still a work in progress :D
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