You’re probably wondering what’s been going on in my life that I need to activate the Holy Spirit, huh? It has been awhile since I have graced you with my presence, but know that all is well and I’ve actually been busy with different projects. Right now, I’ve been juggling spending time with family, working these OT hours, enjoying the holidays and preparing for some upcoming events. So why the title, you ask? Well, I had a situation at work yesterday involving a customer who was very frustrated with the hold time. She just needed to get our fax number so that her husband’s doctor could fax his prescriptions in to our pharmacy. I apologized for the inconvenience this caused her because I know I would’ve been frustrated as well having to wait 30 minutes just to get a fax number. I mean, where is the automated voice recording that provides it for you like these doctors’ offices? Anyway, back to the issue. So in the middle of me providing the number she snaps at me and tried to complete the number rudely saying, “yeah 0092, I asked you for the fax number not the phone number!” I had to politely assure her (although I was a little agitated at her for being so rude and not allowing me the opportunity to assist with her request) that I indeed WAS providing the fax number if only she would give me the chance to finish. To enlighten you a little bit, our fax number is similar to our phone number with the exception of the last four digits being different. So I can see how she would’ve assumed I was giving her the phone number, but if she would’ve waited, she would’ve realized that it was indeed a different number.
In the midst of her snapping on me and realizing that she had been rude and foolish, she said something that calmed my spirit. She goes, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have talked to you like that. I’m not honoring God by talking to you that way. I love God and I hope you do too!”. Now how could I be upset with her after that? The mere fact that she acknowledged her wrong doing, apologized and corrected her actions made me realize something in that moment. How many times have I allowed the conviction of the Holy Spirit to stop me right in the middle of my foolishness and apologize to someone? How many times have I taken my frustrations out on my husband, children, family, strangers or even the dog and had not one ounce of remorse? The fact that she allowed her conscious (the Holy Spirit) to humble her and convict her heart spoke so many volumes about this woman. We even had a conversation about apologizing to people when we are in the wrong and how it’s hard sometimes to admit our wrong doing and ask for forgiveness. This lady apologized to me several more times and I let her know that there was no need to say sorry again because she was already forgiven the moment she repented. I told her that she gave me a revelation and made me realize something within myself. I need to watch how I talk to people or react to certain situations. I’m not perfect or exempt from how I treat people either. Am I truly honoring God by how I respond to people? I call myself a Christian, but do I truly understand what that means? When I get frustrated or angry am I quick to pop off? Curse? Yell? Talk reckless? How many people, that might have not known about God, have witnessed me act in such a foolish manner that it drove them away from the very one I claimed I loved so much and encouraged them to follow? Who am I to judge this lady when I’ve been guilty of the same exact thing that she did to me? It was a lesson for the both of us and I can honestly say that I gained so much wisdom from that incident. She even thanked me for being so kind to her and not reacting in a rude way towards her. She said, “I’m sure your job has taught you how to be polite to people and handle situations like this.” I let her know that although my job does encourage us to be courteous to our customers, I still had a choice in whether or not I wanted to treat her in that manner. I didn’t say it to be condescending, but to let her know that I did want to treat her how I would’ve wanted to be treated even if I was being rude.
We ended the call on a good note and she told me that she hoped when she calls in the future she gets me again. What a way to end a call, right? You may be wondering how this story can help you or what you can take away from it today. I would say, watch how you talk to people, treat people or react to situations. It’s okay to be upset, angry, frustrated or agitated, but it’s what we do or sometimes what we say that can negatively impact someone’s life. The lady even mentioned that she was glad I was a believer because if I wasn’t, her actions could’ve turned someone away from wanting to know about God. I’m not trying to make this blog into a sermon, but I do believe that we need to hold ourselves more accountable in the way that we talk and treat people. The world has enough negativity without us adding more to it. You never know what people are going through and we should make an effort to be as nice and respectful as we can be. I don’t know about you, but the next time I feel myself about to go off or say something reckless, I hope I remember this day and allow the Holy Spirit to “Activate, activate, activate”!
Think Before You Speak by Alicia Azahar
They say there’s power in the tongue so be careful what you say,
Life or death is the wager, choose the price you want to pay,
It doesn’t take a lot of effort to think twice before you speak,
Just because your choice is silence it doesn’t make you frail or weak,
I would rather stand in silence than use my words to stir up anger,
You never know when your mouth could lead you to a trail of danger,
Walk away from that fight, allow peace to ease your mind,
But if trouble is what you seek then it won’t be hard to find,
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words internally will cause a bruise,
So before you start to speak be clear of the words you choose,
It’s up to you to take the high road even if it causes pain,
You have a lot more to lose than you would ever have to gain.
Uninterrupted Thoughts 