Learn the Language!

I bought some goods at my favorite high end retailer the other day (aka Wal-Mart). Anyway, as I was leaving to go to the car, I was having some slight trouble navigating the mass of people at America's favorite store. It wouldn't have been a problem, considering how nimble and agile I am, but I had to carry a rather cumbersome box while dodging the throngs of recession-proof consumers.

Anyway, when I came to the exit door, there were a lot of people coming in through that way so I looked at the 'entrance' side and noticed that there was a clear exit path for me. I made a decision to go against the predetermined traffic scheme, and went through that door instead. My mission: The car.

As I was exiting, a lady and her gaggle were entering. I had to move quickly so as not to cause any pedestrian-based traffic accidents. Well, once I made it past them, the lady exclaimed, "It reads 'Entrance', LEARN THE LANGUAGE!" Following her comment, there was silence, then laughter.

It took a second to register, but these people were laughing at me! I couldn't even muster a coherent response, nor was I willing to chase her down while carrying that rather unwieldy box. Instead, I made my way to the car.

After getting to the car and meeting up again with my wife, I vented my frustration about the lady's comment and told her that I was intending to go back into the store to give that lady a piece of my mind. She said, "Unless you're going back into the store to tell her that Jesus loves her, don't go back in there." I said, "I'm going to tell her how ignorant I think she is, and it's a good thing that Jesus loves rednecks too." Well, obviously she had to conduct a quick intervention and some much needed on-the-spot wifely counseling for me right there and then. Thank God for her.

After I had the chance to 'chill out', God so gently reminded me that the language that we as Christians speak is not a language filled with insults, sarcasm, arrogance or pride- but one of good news and peace. Praise God for delayed reactions because my language almost turned into something else that day!

Friends, I learned a valuable lesson that day- that it's when times are hard that our spiritual walk is tested, not when times are easy. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take some time out and cultivate that 'delayed reaction', seek Godly advice from a friend, and follow that Godly wisdom. You'll feel better about it, and more importantly, you'll be more Christlike.

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6