Are you the type of person who places 15 items or less on the conveyor belt when you go through the Express Lane at the grocery store?
Or are you the type of person who goes through it even if you have double the items required because you’re in a hurry?
Are you the type of person who offers grace when this happens?
Or are you the angry person in line?
Are you the type of person who hurries across the pedestrian crossing when cars begin to pile up waiting on you?
Or are you the person who sashays diagonally across the crosswalk with nary a glance towards the waiting traffic?
Are you the type of person who waits your turn at a four way stop?
Or are you the person who jolts ahead of others after barely a rolling stop, and an avoidance of eye contact at all costs?
Are you the type of person who tidies up your table at the restaurant before you leave even though its technically someone else’s job?
Or are you the type of person who empties the trash out of your purse onto the table for your busboy to sweep away along with your toddler’s food-tornado aftermath?
Are you the type of person who speaks out positively about the multiple and continuous great service you receive from a local business?
Or are you the type of person who only speaks out that one time you have a negative experience?
Are you the type of person who waits patiently when it takes a little longer to receive food in the drive thru, service at the bank, or to be seen by your doctor?
Or are you the type of person who complains loudly, harshly, and with little thought as to the reason why you are having to wait?
Are you the type of person who pulls over to the side of the road when an emergency vehicle drives by with their flashers and sirens blaring?
Or are you the type of person who keeps driving because you have somewhere to be?
Are you the type of person who waits for the rest of the story?
Or are you the type of person who jumps in with a quick comment on someone’s social media rant, or the first to share a story that hasn’t been fully substantiated?
Are you the type of person who returns back to the store when you realize you walked out without paying for something?
Or are you the type of person who gets back too much change back and says, “it must be my lucky day.”
Are you the type of person who refuses to find humor at the expense of someone else?
Or are you that person who shares a meme photo gone viral that makes fun of real people, with an LOL, without a single thought that you’re gaining entertainment at the expense of another?
We all make mistakes. We’re selfish by nature. We’re quick to judge, and even quicker to seethe with anger. We’re slow to offer grace or walk even a few steps in someone else’s shoes. But what should we strive for? I’ve fallen into the second category of many of the examples above, but what can that indicate about my character?
Matthew 7:16
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
People will know you are a follower of Christ typically not by what you say but rather how you treat them. That good tip left for your server, or that patience and grace extended to your nurse when they’re running behind.; that’s what shines the light of Jesus. We all fall short, and this list isn’t meant to be a form of judgment or even a final judgment. It’s simply examples to get you thinking, to help you self-evaluate if you’re the type of person you would desire to be. In other words, the above examples have happened to everyone, and a single episode doesn’t define you. So don’t get defensive. Instead try to be self-reflecting.
We can all do better, be better. We can all show grace more often, and we can take our eyes off ourselves and see others. We can be the people God intended, and we can treat others the way we would wish to be treated.
So, which type of person are you?
Runnerchickmom says
Excellent points! I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in August after a year of debilitating symptoms. Treatment worked for six months, until it didn’t. I had finally resumed about 70% of normalcy only to be told they are undiagnosing me (no tx) to see what happens. It is a challenge for me to give grace and wait with patience even as I feel the sx all come back. Three months for a return visit is nothing to doctors but three months to this single mom is an eternity. I choose to wait without grumbling and resolve to be the healthiest sick person I can in the interim.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Praying for you!
Dave says
Excellent thoughts you wrote as to our everyday lives! I was beginning to do a slow burn yesterday while waiting my turn in the dermatologist waiting room. It seems they always overbook and my 8:30am appointment was beginning to look like I wouldn’t see the doctor until 9:30am or later! I can understand also that problems doctors have can throw everybody’s appointment time off so I try to be a patient patient! No pun intended! I know when a waiting room is full most of us keep a mental picture of who is ahead of us & who walked in after us! I was at the point to where I knew I was next and when I saw the nurse coming I started to get up only to hear her call a lady that came in 15 minutes after I had arrived! I am a patient individual so I decided not to cause a scene but to ask in case I was overlooked the next time! Being a person who is fair and wants to be treated fairly makes it hard to see unfairness happen even if it’s unintentional or by mistake but generally I just blow it off unless it becomes ridiculous! But there are those who always feel they should be first and to heck with everyone else! Being a christian in a world full of push and shove tries our very souls so as I start my day I ask the good Lord to help me do the right thing! That’s all I know to do sometimes! Just try and ask myself what would Jesus do!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Happy Easter!
Lisa Pierce says
Great points to ponder. I know I am guilty of not always showing grace to others. Being disabled sometimes grates on my patience with others. I know, this is no excuse. This is something I am working on. For example, I recently chewed a guy out on the phone and threatened the company he worked for with phone harassment. They had called and called until I had just lost my patience. I was very frustrated so I decided to open my email account and read from some of the great blogs to which I subscribe. (Did you catch that?) Anyway, The first one I came to I opened and it spoke of Gods grace. I read it and just looked up and said ‘Thank you Lord’ as I smiled with a peaceful heart. God just has such perfect timing. I never before thought of being kind and patient as showing Gods grace. It has changed my entire perspective.
Thank you for your great perspective as well. God bless you.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much. Your comments made me smile.
Lisa Pierce says
I’m glad to hear that Brie! God bless you sweet lady.