TGIF
I had just finished up the work on my last message on “The Beatitudes” and I was feeling holy.
I would speak of being blessed for being persecuted for righteousness sake and warn of getting no blessing for being persecuted for being a jerk.
I would speak of not making messes for Jesus to have to send others to clean up and about how our repentance should be as well known as our sin.
Good stuff.
Completing that task meant I could get some errands finished, including exchanging a screen protector I had purchased.
It was the wrong size, though the box said it was specifically for the tablet I bought it for.
We’d be in and out in five minutes.
The customer service agent greeted me and after I explained what I wanted to do, he informed me that I had bought the wrong thing, for the wrong product, in the wrong size.
Not so, I said… showing him the label and the packaging.
He then continued to argue…which made me mad.
He then turned and walked away…which made me explode.
I followed him, cornered him, and nothing from that point on resembled any Beatitude.
The other employees fled my wrath and Trey asked if he could possibly browse another section of the store.
Having no escape route available, the now nervous clerk decided to help after all.
I was relishing my victory when the Lord interrupted my touchdown dance.
He mentioned something I had written about proud jerks making a mess for Jesus that others would have to clean up and if I knew if anyone was available to clean up the one I had just made.
I began to apologize profusely to the clerk, who looked at me as one would look at someone who had just been relieved of demon.
I confessed my pride and ill temper and asked for forgiveness.
There… I repented.
“Your repentance should be as well known as your sin”.
Now I get to apologize to everyone within earshot.
Painful, but better.
Not finished yet…
I get to apologize to Trey for my pathetic example.
Finally done.
Not quite….the sin was against God first.
Now, I’m done.
Except for writing this…
I think I prefer shopping online.
Make your own application…
Excellent. True story…… how utterly human!
Thanks, Paige.
We’re never more vulnerable than when we think we’ve made it…
Thanks for sharing, we all have circumstances that will push our buttons! Been there done that.
Michael,
You may not be proud of your initial interaction, but the fact that you recognized your error almost immediately shows maturity. You’re further along than if you hadn’t thought of it until before bed tonight or never. Just because we can’t reach perfection in this life doesn’t mean God doesn’t change us.
AA,
Thank you.
For me the application was that it’s no surprise that we sin….the difference is how we respond to our sin.
That…and I’ve got a long way left to travel on the road to sanctification.
Just excellent!
Jean,
I was shocked and embarrassed…still am to a degree.
We are getting better, but sometimes it’s hard to see.
Thank you, covered.
Now you know why I don’t go out much… 🙂
I hope you can appreciate my robust chuckle as I read this. Bravo! Oh and online it is…
BD,
Amazon is my friend… 🙂
Ohhh… I smiled at this post because you obviously saw me in my last fender bender, and of course, it was the “other guys fault”.
If my car had a fish decal, it would have pealed itself off the car and hopped into the nearest body of water.
Perhaps we should all tell stories about OUR own embarrassing public displays… wait that would be a very personal application…
Really, really, really good TGIF!
“Your repentance should be as well known as your sin”. Who said this?
“I was relishing my victory when the Lord interrupted my touchdown dance”
I do touchdown dances all the time. I’m convicted. Fortunately, my family, small children, and senior citizens are exempt, but I impose my will on others daily. I’m not a yeller, but I expect to get my way, and the people I interact with know it.
Last night, the delivery driver couldn’t get in our condo gate to deliver anti-inflammatory minerals I take. I called the dispatcher and informed her that it’s not my fault her driver doesn’t know how to use a gate directory, and that he needs to turn around and bring me my stuff. She called me back to tell me that it would be delivered today, and I said that was unacceptable. Best she could do, and I replied, “this is really bad”. Ten minutes later, the guys at my gate. Touchdown.
Similar situation with our condo manager this morning (I’m the condo assn president). Project wouldn’t completed for two weeks, and I said, “if this was your house, you would find a way to get this done in a day”. I arrive home to find an email telling me the project will be complete on Monday. Touchdown.
I just got off of a call with my primary software vendor, who was informing me of a price increase. I told the rep that I was grandfathered under old pricing. he has to talk to his boss, and i said, “remind her that I have her home phone number”. ha ha ha, but I’ve already “won”. Touchdown.
I have an appointment this afternoon with another condo vendor. Maybe I don’t have to win (on my take it or leave it terms) this time….
Jim,
We must be related… 🙂
One of the things I’ve been thinking about is that my conversation should be such that if I invited them to church afterwards they wouldn’t break out in hysterics…
I would speak of being blessed for being persecuted for righteousness sake and warn of getting no blessing for being persecuted for being a jerk.
———————————————–
Yes. And it can be a fine line to walk between the two that leaves us wholly dependent on the Lord’s direction – at some point we throw in with what we think the Lord wants us to do, knowing we have to answer to Him and not the critics.
I would speak of not making messes for Jesus to have to send others to clean up and about how our repentance should be as well known as our sin.
———————————————————————-
I can’t Amen this loud enough.
Great TGIF – all the more since it was so personal a story.
Thank you.
Thank you, Steve.
The one thing that has been impressed on me a lot recently is that someone else does have to answer for the messes we make unless we own them ourselves.
It’s painful as hell…but it spares a lot of pain for others.
Michael, haven’t we all been right there?! Brilliant piece today. Thanks for being transparent.
Thank you, fyi.
I have to go get the oil changed and I’m taking a copy of this with me just in case… 🙂
This is pure gold
Neo,
Thank you, my friend.
I’m out for a while…
All of this spirituality stuff is freekin awesome until we have to deal with other freekin people!
Great article, Michael.
Trey loves you.
…we do to, especially for being a transparent peer!
I’ve never told more of my embarrassing stories from my past than I do now.
TGIF, Michael.
Great story Michael
This TGIF resonates with so many of us, because we can see ourselves in the story. Sure the details may be different for each of us, but we have all been there.
I do wonder sometimes whether the proliferation of the online “lifestyle” in all its dimensions is having a negative impact on flesh and blood interaction in all its dimensions.
Michael,
Thank you for leading by example, brother. This one hit me right between the eyes.
Donna
Michael, I smiled as I read your article. It’s good to know we aren’t alone in our non perfection! 🙂
Mike all I can say is I always appreciate your honesty! Denial always gets us in trouble and being transparent allows all of us to remove our masks and allow God to really heal. Thank you brother
You made me laugh!
Great post Michael.
http://shekinahfellowship.blogspot.com/2008/01/right-spirit.html
I can relate…..manure mouth for me has been a life long struggle.
Sometimes Michael you do what you can with what you have. Grace fills in the blanks. The best I can do.
Excellent.