As
Dolores was driving along a country road, she noticed that a car was following
her rather closely. She could almost feel the irritation of the driver as she
drove cautiously and slowly navigated several turns.
Of
course, the driver of the other car had no way to know that Dolores was
transporting 100 pounds of mashed potatoes, two crockpots full of gravy, and
many other food items for a church supper—enough to feed 200 people! Sensing
the other driver’s frustration, Dolores thought, If he just realized the
fragile load I’m carrying, he would understand why I’m driving like I am.
Just as
quickly, another thought occurred to her: How often am I impatient with
people when I have no idea of the fragile load they might be carrying?
How
easily do we pass judgment on someone, assuming that we know all the facts
about a situation? God’s Word sends us in a more charitable direction,
instructing us to treat each other with kindness, humility, and patience (Col.
3:12). How much more loving we are when we bear with and forgive each other
(v.13).
Let’s
treat others as we would like to be treated (Luke 6:31), remembering that we
don’t always know the burden they may be carrying.
If you
are tempted to lose patience with another, stop and think how patient God has
been with you. (RBC)
