Don’t Go There!
By Nita K. Curry
May 29, 2000
It happened again and I am terribly ashamed of myself. In the past 6 years or
so, our bank has been bought our four times. Each buyout brings more literature
on the upcoming buyout, sometimes new account numbers, new ATM cards and
everything else. I am really quite tired of it. But this buyout really
aggravated me!
Since my husband and I have a joint checking account, we both receive
separate ATM cards. Mine never came. I called to see why and I was informed that
it had been mailed, but was not sent to the correct address. I asked to what
address it had been sent and they couldn’t answer me. I informted them that we
have not moved since the last buyout. Why was this a problem? La, la, la, came
the answer. I was irked.
Then they informed me that they would not be able to send me my card through
the mail, I would have to pick it up in person. Feeling completely Christian, I
asked for a supervisor. He informed me it was policy not to send ATM cards out
in the mail after they had been returned. He didn’t inform me how to entertain
my rambunctous two year-old while I visited the bank for my card..
So, I immediately explained that I shouldn’t have to be inconvenienced due
to their incompetence! That argument didn’t sway the supervisor. He
just apologized. I was now seriously steamed. Since I couldn’t curse at him (I
am a good Apostolic, you know), I spouted out the only thing I could think,
"We’ll just take our business elsewhere!" Boy, that sent him into
hysterics. How could they possibly remain in business without our $2.98? They’ll
have to start looking for another company to buy them out if we "Take our
business elsewhere!"
Needless to say, I am ashamed that I said that and I am ashamed of myself for
letting my feelings control my Christianity. I, of all people, cry out to other
Apostolics that we should always conduct ourselves in a Christ-like
manner. Then, I go and spread the good news at our bank!
In the past year or so, I have done a few other things that I am way too
embarrassed to even write down. Then I ask myself why. Is life so busy, hectic,
and frantic that I won’t even conduct myself consistently in a Christ-like,
decent manner? Sinners often control themselves in these situations better than
my brand of Christianity! Sinners and saints must act like decent human-beings!
And if you do have God’s Spirit within you, how much more
patient, kind, understanding, and giving should you be?
Here’s the application: When was the last time you offered to let someone
else get ahead of you in line at the grocery store or the last time you let a
car slide in ahead of you? My guess is everyone’s Christianity is tested.
These people who try to ram their way into spots don’t deserve kindness and
mercy! Well, neither did we, but Jesus took on our sins to make our burden
lighter. Wouldn’t it help us if we reciprocated that Christ-like manner and
took on the burden of others?
My guess is that if you made kindness a practice, you wouldn’t feel nearly
as rushed all the time! Jesus died to give us more abundant life, not a more
hectic life.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2000, Nita K. Curry
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Nita K. Curry is now practicing kindness in the grocery stores of St.
Louis. Please feel free to cut in line before her.
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