Illustration:
We lead busy lives, we have much that we need to do and a lot of what we think we have to do. Then there are some things we neglect or just don't do. Like simple common respect.
Wednesdays are usually very busy. My daughter and I get up at the ungodly hour of 4:30. We both get ready to start an early busy day. On Wednesday, I drop her off at McDonald's, this is her weekly treat: breakfast and a little time to herself. I will then I head over to a Bible study with a local group of businessman. Then pick her up after the study and drop her off at school.
That evening after work, we fix supper for our Bible study group at church. I usually prep everything the night before. Sometimes, I don't have everything I need. We are having ham and beans tonight and I don’t have any ham. That means I have to stop by the store and buy ham. Then stop by the house, chop up the ham and set up the croak pot. I am going to be late for work. No problem - I have a plan and I will just have to work through lunch.
But plans change. Things come up that cause stress – like interrupted plans. My daughter needs to have some medication (cough due to cold) brought into high school. Only a parent can carry the medication into the school and drop it off to the nurse. This interrupts my plan. Stress, I feel it. I feel the tension and I feel a little resentment. Come on, I do this people and I do that for people – can’t I just have something go right!
I am just about to accuse her of making me even more behind schedule, when I close my mouth. I take a deep breath and think to myself, “I don’t need to project my issue onto her.” What did she do? Well, besides not telling me to make an unplanned stop.
Here is my daughter, I raised her up to love God and to love her neighbor, how dare I project my anger onto her. I looked at her calmly and smiled, “Next time can you give me a heads up on having to stop by the school.” She smiles a glorious smile and said “OK, Dad, sorry.”
Application:
She starts her day anger free and I start mine late, but regret free.
Matthew 7:12
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..."
We lead busy lives, we have much that we need to do and a lot of what we think we have to do. Then there are some things we neglect or just don't do. Like simple common respect.
Wednesdays are usually very busy. My daughter and I get up at the ungodly hour of 4:30. We both get ready to start an early busy day. On Wednesday, I drop her off at McDonald's, this is her weekly treat: breakfast and a little time to herself. I will then I head over to a Bible study with a local group of businessman. Then pick her up after the study and drop her off at school.
That evening after work, we fix supper for our Bible study group at church. I usually prep everything the night before. Sometimes, I don't have everything I need. We are having ham and beans tonight and I don’t have any ham. That means I have to stop by the store and buy ham. Then stop by the house, chop up the ham and set up the croak pot. I am going to be late for work. No problem - I have a plan and I will just have to work through lunch.
But plans change. Things come up that cause stress – like interrupted plans. My daughter needs to have some medication (cough due to cold) brought into high school. Only a parent can carry the medication into the school and drop it off to the nurse. This interrupts my plan. Stress, I feel it. I feel the tension and I feel a little resentment. Come on, I do this people and I do that for people – can’t I just have something go right!
I am just about to accuse her of making me even more behind schedule, when I close my mouth. I take a deep breath and think to myself, “I don’t need to project my issue onto her.” What did she do? Well, besides not telling me to make an unplanned stop.
Here is my daughter, I raised her up to love God and to love her neighbor, how dare I project my anger onto her. I looked at her calmly and smiled, “Next time can you give me a heads up on having to stop by the school.” She smiles a glorious smile and said “OK, Dad, sorry.”
Application:
She starts her day anger free and I start mine late, but regret free.
Matthew 7:12
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..."
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