Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 12:12
The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, signs and wonders and mighty works.
Thought for the Day: I had a couple of hours to get some work done yesterday afternoon. I had taken Zach to a birthday party, and my plan was to swing by Panera Bread for a bowl of soup and some good work time in a corner booth. Well that corner booth was no where to be found as the place was hopping! I got in line to order and begin to wait. There were maybe six people in front of me, and within a few minutes, there were at least a dozen behind me. Finally, I was the next person in line. The family at one register had never been to Panera and had all kinds of questions. The other register opened, and as I moved, an elderly woman who had just walked into the restaurant walked right up and begin to order. A bad word came to mind, but the filter between my brain and mouth remained intact. She also had a list of questions to ask, but when she finally made a decision and begin searching threw her immense purse for money, she was not able to find the exact change. She kept digging for another $.12. The family next to her was still trying to order, and I kid you not, this waiting took at least 10 minutes. I felt sweat on my brow and a growing frustration in my gut. Finally when the older woman found the correct change and paid for her meal, she glanced over at the pastries and gasped, “Oh, I wanted a muffin.” The decision-making process for the muffin was equally lengthy and it felt like someone was fanning the flames of my frustration. When her decision was made, the search for correct change started all over again. My time in line was 25+ minutes…and though I like Panera’s Black Bean Soup, I don’t know if it worth 25+ minutes.
It is sad how easily my irritation and exasperation were triggered. When I finally ordered, the woman behind the counter was delightful. She made me laugh twice, and I even got a free cookie with my Panera card. As I sat down to eat, I heard a voice asking, “And in the whole scheme of things, was that really a big deal? Are you going to let that ruin your day?”
The above passage from 2nd Corinthians speaks of the signs performed among the people, and it suggests that those signs were fashioned (another way of translating the word performed) before others by means of the tool, patience. How often do we have an opportunity to fashion wondrous signs of grace and love, yet they never are fully demonstrated for others to see because of our inability to remain patient. The world needs us to be patient, not only to model this important attribute, but it provides the lens through which the world glimpses the Good News of God’s love that acted first.
Prayer: Calm my spirit and anxiety, Lord. Even when I feel like things are unfair and my place in line has been stolen, provide me patience by which I might see that moment of waiting as the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your grace to someone who I otherwise would have ignored because of my frustration. Amen.
TODAY’S SERMON
1 thought on “Ecclesiological Etchings: 08-17-14”
I have to admit . . . I got frustrated just reading this! ☺ Thanks for the reminder!!