So I moved. I did the whole packing it up and transporting it car load by car load, to save any rental fee, (my frugal self wins again!). Moving was not a big deal, putting things away, well, that's a different story. It is getting done, but it is a process (maybe a year or two :))
Along the way, I decided to get a mailbox put up, instead of paying the fee for a post office box, (frugal...you bet!).
So, as most people, I journeyed down to the post office. I always love going to post offices...they all smell the same and usually, they are very friendly down there. My journey down there was great, though they had to get back to me about where to put my mail box up.
Well, we got a little anxious, so we just put it up in front of the house...we being me and the trustees of the church. I figured that would work, since it was on the same side of the street as every other mailbox on my road.
Well, it wasn't right. It was on the wrong side. I check three different times with them to make sure they were sure. Three times. They said the same thing three times. So, I pulled it up and put it on the other side. Problem solved!
Ummmm...maybe not. Just the other day, after receiving mail for about 3 weeks, I got a letter with a note stapled on it saying that I had to move my mailbox to the proper side of the street or my mail was to be held. Ugh.
Grumpy Micah came out.
As I held that letter, I was fuming. I'll admit that. I got the letter at night and they were closed, thankfully. I was done with the post office and ready to just start hand delivering everything, or just using the power of the Internet.
The next morning, as I saw the letter staring at me from the table, I asked myself the question of how I should really handle this? What is God speaking to me in this moment? How am I living my Christian faith as His witness in these simple, yet frustrating moments?
Often, we encounter moments like this, don't we? Where confusion and circumstances just eat at your very fiber? Our faith is not something that we just live in a moment, or in a prayer, but it is deeply woven into all that we do.
Challenging myself to be a little more Christlike, I ventured to the Post Office, letter in hand. No one got hurt...actually, we had a great conversation and figured the whole thing out. It was just a mix up. This happens. And I even met my mail carrier.
Fortunately, I didn't bring my grumpiness with me into the post office, though I was tempted. Simple moments like these are just that, simple. But they challenge us to who we are really living our lives for...for ourselves, to get revenge and to have the pride of being right, or for God, to truly be His advocate in all that we do and to lead with His Grace. Leading with Grace...hmmm, I like that.
I am glad that I got this letter at night, but the whole frustrating circumstance taught me a lesson on humility.
Striving to lead with Grace and Peace!
Micah
Amazing how God derails us when we are "grumpy," giving us time to cool off. On Sunday, folks leaving the 9:45 service returned to their cars to find flyers from the Dog House Hot Dog shop on their windshields. I spent all day Sunday afternoon and Monday fuming. I had it all planned out what I was going to say. Oh man, it was going to be good. At 3:00 I drove to the Dog House; closed. Tuesday, I went at noon, when I was sure it they were open. I was met by a very gracious young guy named Anthony, who, along with his mother, run the Dog House. Not what I was expecting at all. Turns out they hired some over-enthusiastic people to distribute the flyers. They apologized and asked what they could do to make ammends. I was so glad they were closed on Monday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteThis Sunday we'll be talking about 3 Simple Rules from our Methodist tradition: Do no harm, Do Good, Stay in Love with God. They sound so simple... Now with a cooler head, Ed
Our "HUMAN CONDITION'S" are not thing's easy for us to admit to. However, we are human. It is such a wonderful thought to know God will do His best, to bring out our best. Like closing the post office and hot dog shop, so our Pastors couldn't react out of anger (and maybe look a little foolish). Instead He gave them a chance to "cool down". He even knew it would take them over night!! Truely amazing! I care for children all day and am not givin the option to cool down overnight. I get about 10 seconds. The kid's know they really need to "chill" when I start singing "Jesus Loves Me" out loud. It reminds me that He does and gives me that extra minute to look at the children as they are... children! It is so cool to know that my pastor's are 'normal' people with human condition's. kar.
ReplyDeleteI have found myself "grumpy" on many occasions lately. It feels good to know that I am not alone. I also have found that I am given outlets beyond reacting out of anger. I have become the person to walk away from situations lately. Not usually my initial reaction... It seems that I am always given the opportunity to remove myself when the "grumpy" moments hit. I have been accused of avoiding things but I find that I can clear my head and truly evaluate what to do in the next moment when I get some distance. The best part is that in many cases after walking away, the situation has resolved itself: in the manner I would have preferred, for the most part. By not getting upset and blowing things out of proportion, I maintain my piece of mind and find that the solution was much easier than I would have anticipated. God takes care of it when you get out of the way and let him work.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to 3 Simple Rules. I have to admit that while reading the book I did a lot of head scratching. While it seems obvious when you just get the rules, the theology can be a bit more complicated.
So, were there any good coupons on the flyers? I didn't get one. LOL;-) Juli