Waking this morning while the moon was still in the lower part of the western sky, Hubs is headed out on a four day training trip, and this lil tired momma had to get him to the airport. Getting me up before the rooster crows is not usually something that anyone wishes to endure. Even God doesn’t want to hear from me this early. As annoyed as I was fumbling in the dark for a quick hoodie to throw on, I’ll say that the drive actually calmed me down. The moon looked like an orange that had a bite out of it, and it’s reflection left a warm glow across the river. The radio was tuned in to an oldies country station and for once Hubs didn’t change it. As the rhythm of the road and the music soothed my irritation, I drove in good time to get my precious cargo to his destination.
Driving home I recalled being just as annoyed if not a little more, a few days earlier. I had gone into a local women’s shirt and shoe shop. I walked in and immediately remembered my awful experience in the same shop last year. I cringed as the sales lady shouted her rude greeting. There was no turning back at this point, as a very good friend that I know from church was sitting there trying on shoes. We smiled and spoke, while Big Bad Betty stood with a hand on her hip, grunting while she waited for us to stop. Just as abruptly as when I walked in she asked me what I was looking for. When I said a comfortable shoe possibly in a wide width, she turned and walked away stating that they didn’t carry a wide. I was left standing there while my friend looked up in wonder. I felt those rosy red rosacea cheeks begin to rise and give my emotion away, so I turned to look at the shoes on the wall. As I tried to focus I told myself to just look at the shoes, I might be pleasantly surprised and find a cute shoe that ran roomy enough and not need a wide. I took one off the wall, and the siren voice boomed from behind demanding that I put it back, it wasn’t a wide and don’t try putting it on! At this point I turned and slowly stated that I didn’t intend to put it on, as it wasn’t my size. I then looked down at my friend and smiled, telling her I’d see her later and then bolted for the door. As I opened the door and walked through Big Bad Betty yelled “thanks for coming in, come back”. I seriously stated “not likely” as the door was shutting.
On the sidewalk headed to my car, I felt my chubby face burning, by now my rosy cheeks were fire engine red. I was mad at myself for going back in there this year. Last year that same sales lady, scowled at me as I looked for a size 14 in shop that didn’t carry extra large clothing. But I’m a glutton for punishment, and I try to practice what I preach and shop local. Sheesh! I’m so gonna drive that extra 30 miles to a shopping mall next time, or just order online.
This morning as I returned home, I poured a vanilla coffee, stirred in my miracle granny powder aka; miralax and put my feet up. As I sipped I read from my emotional guide book, under irritation and found this… “Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults” which is compared to Proverbs 12:16.
Join me… as we work on not letting rude people ruin our day!!
Lord, thank you for placing positive people, books, your bible, music, a sunset or sunrise in our path to diffuse our irritated emotions. Give us the strength and wisdom we need to shrug off rude people and not get shaken up by their actions. In Jesus name Amen.
