A few weeks ago, I was at the bank paying off a car loan. I was excited and happy as I stood in line and waited my turn. A man came in behind me and I said a few words to him. He gave me a dirty look…he was SO angry. I am ashamed to say that the first thought I had (living in a world of Identity Politics) was that, “He doesn’t like me because I am white.”
I turned around and thought about him for a moment and then I began to pray for him. Really, I didn’t know why he was so angry. How many times has the bank made a mistake in my account and I have gone down there really angry? How many times have I made a mistake and gone to the bank really frustrated? Of course, the answer to those two questions is, more than a few.
It is so easy to be in a situation and judge someone else because of their attitude when I don’t have the slightest idea what that other person is dealing with. I need to extend grace to people and at the very least, try infusing a little humanity in the situation I find myself in. However, that is going to take living in a way where I don’t judge people by the color of their skin, their religious preference or their lifestyle. I may only interact with them for a few seconds, but I can infuse that interaction with love and kindness.
There was not much I could do in the situation at the bank. The man obviously did not want to talk and the only thing I could do was pray. However, there might be something I can do in another situation. I might be able to help pay for someone’s groceries if they are having a tough time paying. I might be able to buy someone a coffee or a burger if they are behind me and appear to be having a hard day.
The key will be to get out of my own head and not think that everything that is happening has something to do with me. Just like the man at the bank, there are probably extenuating circumstances that could explain why he was so angry. I will never know. I do know this one thing, though. Most people out there are having a tough time. Each person probably has at least one hard thing they are dealing with. I can’t know each individual’s story, but I can pray that God will show me how to try to infuse a little humanity into each situation I am in.
Prayer is always the best response. Thanks for sharing.
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Yes, God knows what is going on!
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Agreed.
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Thank you, Valerie. A good reminder for me!
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For all of us! Thanks for reading and sharing!
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You are such a kind person!
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I struggle with the same kind of thoughts! And I, like you, am trying to get beyond that by realizing I have no idea what’s going on with this person and learning to not take it personally.
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Yes, we must be intentional with our words and actions! So glad you understand!
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We have all reacted in ways that made us feel ashamed afterward. It is humbling to witness when one of our fellow human beings reacts in a similar way and holds up a mirror to our own misbehavior. It would be best not to judge others based on an interaction that lasts seconds. I like the famous saying about not judging anybody unless we have walked in their shoes, and not only for a mile, but for a thousand.
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Yes, so true and what a good thought! Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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I can relate that… We never know what a person’s situation is based on their anger…
When we cannot do anything prayer is the only way…
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YEs, I so agree!!!!
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I agree with all that they said!
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When we don’t find any solution to the problem whether the problem belongs to known or unknown… Prayer is a way to help known and unknown.
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You are awesome Valerie!
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So glad you liked the post! Kicking the praise upstairs!
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Praying for strangers, instead of being offended by them? I think Jesus would be very onboard with the plan, Valerie. Now, to put it to work.
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I have and have gotten very positive responses! One time I paid for some groceries for the gal behind me, then she paid for the groceries of the gal behind her, etc….just passing the good on. Just like the negative, positivity is contagious!
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I have put it to work many times and have and have gotten very positive responses! One time I paid for some groceries for the gal behind me, then she paid for the groceries of the gal behind her, etc….just passing the good on. Just like negativity, positivity is contagious!
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Wonderful. Paying it forward–another idea cribbed from Jesus. I hear he loves it when we steal his ideas! ;>)
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Yes, He loves it even more when we implement them! He’s a Winner!
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It is so easily done. The positive is that you realised what had happened, I hope I can do similar
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💕💞💞💕
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When in doubt, pray! We never know what someone is going through.
❤️carmen
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So true!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
LIKE…TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS?
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Again, thank you for the reblog!!!!
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Hey—we disciples of Christ have to love and help each other—they will know we are Christians by our Love, By our Love!
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Yes, so true!
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One of the exercises my mentor, Jim, assigned me was to do 3 kind things for someone I know, someone in my family, and a complete stranger. The kicker was that I couldn’t let anyone know about it. I learned a lot about humility and grace. I still wear a big grin when I think about some of the reactions I witnessed…
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Such a great idea! I’ll have to remember that one! Thanks for sharing it!
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Valerie, there is some serious spiritual warfare going on here. *All* of us – every color – are being told almost constantly that there are large numbers of people out there who demonize us because of our race. In most cases, it just isn’t true. But we feel it. Oh, we feel it!
Of course, we can limit this input by choosing what we listen to, but it’s such a pervasive atmosphere that some is bound to leak through.
Let’s pray for the good attitude you describe. Love “believes all things” … including attributing the best motives we can think of whenever possible.
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Yes, I agree. I have to fight what I believe are the pervasive lies being spread today. Time in the Word and full of the Spirit will take us and keep us where we need to go! Blessings to you today!
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I agree. Completely.
Little things and Holy Spirit make the difference.
Hugs from Italy
Vicky
😊
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Hugs to you, too, Vickie! ❤
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😊😊😊
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Good point. Life has a way of being universally difficult. It is good to remember this, even in a bank line. 🙂
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Yes, especially in a bank line! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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Love being us salvation
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Yes, thank you for your input!!!!
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I have been in bad situations and it was probably something truly bad or… I pray he will find some joy.
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