Stickers

November 13, 2019

When the letters and packages were fetched from the mail box and brought into the church office we noticed a sticker on them. It read, “Please do not block your mailbox.” Oops. Our bad. We had cars that unquestionably obstructed the mail carrier from being able to easily drive up and deposit the snail mail in the little black box. We are appreciative of the carrier’s efforts to go ahead and leave the mail and to give us a friendly reminder not to do that again for the sake of his or her convenience.  

We were at fault, but we had a most excellent excuse! A crew moved in early yesterday morning and began the task of seal coating the church parking lot. The first step in the process is to clean the asphalt and the workers asked that we temporarily move our cars while they scrubbed that part of the lot. We moved our cars as far off to the side as we could, where, you guessed it, the mail box sits.

We were in the wrong, but we had a very good reason. One that the mail carrier didn’t realize.

Isn’t that often how it is with people we meet every day? They might not be the friendliest. Or perhaps they say something biting. Or give us a gesture that is not the most loving. But we have no idea what is going on in their lives. We just deposit a sticker in our minds that reads something like, “Rude”, “Horse’s rear end”, or “Stay away, don’t engage.” Perhaps we should lean in and learn a little more about their life. There’s probably good reason for their behavior. Deep down there’s more than likely a hurt, habit, or hang-up just waiting to be invited out into the open.

They may be in the wrong, but perhaps there’s a very good reason. One that we are ignorant about until we get to know them and their story.

Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Ephesians 4:2

Ryan

watchgiveevents