Tuesday, August 6, 2013

CONFESSIONS of an imperfect missionary

This week was a bit stressful for me. There was a lot going on and I was preparing to head from Zimbabwe to the States. That is not an excuse for what I am about to write... it is just a the truth.

Sometimes when I am stressed out and things don't go the way I want them to, I get a little edgy. Ok, for those of you who know me you know that is a total understatement. I get grouchy, and if you are in my way, I might even get mean.

Nyasha and I went to the airline to pay for my ticket and the unfortunate customer service woman on duty had a little bit of an attitude, (probably because she was working on a Saturday) and she was less than polite and helpful (which is what I think customer service agents should be) and I gave it right back to her-- times 10.

I hate when I do that.  I want to be a light. I want to be so kind to rude people that they look at me and wonder what is wrong with me.  But oh how hard this is for me.

Nyasha hates when I do this. He cringes, because he is nice to the RUDEST people. Sometimes I think he doesn't realize when they are being rude. Ha! He does, he's just so good at overlooking it and being his kind and gracious self.  His name means "grace/mercy". Mine means "queen". Go figure.

Anyway, Everything worked out fine and I got my ticket and I flew to Johannesburg and while I was waiting for my flight to London, I heard 3 different groups of people (some American, some British) being rude to people who were working at the airport (one employee had been very rude, the other two were just slightly slower than necessary while undergoing their tasks).

UGH.

I heard myself in their words and their tone and I cringed.

It is my prayer that I learn to be a little more like Jesus every day.  I don't want to be this person who values relationships less than accomplished tasks. I want people to have had an enjoyable experience with me even if they take too much of my time booking my flight or do so with an attitude. 

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