My husband and I recently went to the store. While in line there was a lady who had pulled up behind us with her cart. We only had one item and the people in front of us wasted no time. We patiently waited and joked in the checkout lane. I am not sure if the lady was having a bad day, but she had pushed her cart too close for comfort to my husband. We couldn’t move forward anywhere so we chose to just ignore it. When it became our turn to pay, we casually joked and talked to the kind cashier. Though in this process we all wasted no time and were as quick as possible. The lady continued to push her cart just inches from my husband, not acting kindly. I will admit, it was difficult for me not to say something. I couldn’t help but think, “How dare her almost hit my husband with her cart. How rude!” But we both kept quiet and left the very kind cashier with a smile. I sure hope she was nicer to him. Though as my husband and I left the store, I vented my frustration at her crass behavior. Though my husband agreed, he being a much more patient person, quickly let it go. After venting for a very short bit, I too was able. Sometimes friend, people are unkind. Maybe they had a bad day, maybe they just need a little more Jesus in their lives, whatever the reason; we can’t let their poor behavior, become our own. Later that night my husband and I prayed for her. We prayed she would have peace, and that she would find joy. It is not always easy to pray for those that seem to be undeserving, but those people definitely need prayer. We don’t know their heart, what their going through, their life. What we do know though is that Jesus died for us all and none of us is perfect. I also am humbly reminded that I too have had moments where I may have been crass or should’ve been kinder. May we choose to let God handle things, and not to add more fuel to the fire. May we choose to continue to be kind, even when it is hard. May we choose our offense as love and our defense as prayer. For adding more bitterness never made the situation sweeter.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Proverbs 10:19 NIV

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.

Proverbs 21:23 NIV

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

Proverbs 17:14

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Proverbs 20:3 NIV

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Matthew 5:44-45 NIV

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous.