It has been a couple of really rough days. We've had issues getting back to Missouri pick up Jack, the loads we've had haven't paid well and we have spent a lot of time in the middle of nowhere which can be nice, but the emptiness gets to you after awhile. I had been in a foul mood for days and if I had been Godzilla I probably would have raided a city, torn it apart and eaten the citizens. At least that's the terminology I use to describe that frame of mind.
I am ashamed to say that I have never had the understanding and patience that many of my friends and family had growing up. They would be facing a a difficult or frustrating situation completely calm, or at least the would openly be lashing out in anger at whatever was wrong, and then there would be me. Silently seething away at the problem with images of scenes from Invader Zim playing out in my head. It certainly isn't the most effective way to deal with a problem, being calm and dealing with it openly would be. I've tried to change how I deal with, but occasionally it gets the better of me.
This morning I was standing in line in another bad mood. The truck stop we were at didn't have my ginger tea, the bathroom had been a mess and I was stuck in a line of five people while the cashier desperately tried to clean up the food area. As I stood there in line seething, I realized I was quickly headed for another very bad day.
As I stood there, with a frown on my face I heard a voice from behind me.
"How are you doing today?"
I found myself shocked out of my bad mood and suddenly felt embarrassed at my behavior. I looked at the man behind me. He had on a white shirt, white pants, a trimmed white beard and a woven hat. He smiled at me and I saw that his face looked old and wise. I felt even more embarrassed. He was exactly how I would imagine God or Jesus would look if they came down to earth for a vacation. It probably wasn't him, but you have to wonder, what if it was?
"I'm OK," I growled back, but my temper had already disappeared into the depths of my embarrassment. I looked at him again and wondered if it was possible that Jesus might occasionally come down from heaven to knock us back in line, and maybe buy orange juice and a banana on the side? I suppose anything is possible.
Regardless of whether the man was Jesus, a representative sent by him or even just someone in the right place at the right time, he had asked the one thing that I needed. I guess sometimes all we need is a friendly face and a kind greeting. Maybe if we all did that we would live in a very different world.
I am ashamed to say that I have never had the understanding and patience that many of my friends and family had growing up. They would be facing a a difficult or frustrating situation completely calm, or at least the would openly be lashing out in anger at whatever was wrong, and then there would be me. Silently seething away at the problem with images of scenes from Invader Zim playing out in my head. It certainly isn't the most effective way to deal with a problem, being calm and dealing with it openly would be. I've tried to change how I deal with, but occasionally it gets the better of me.
This morning I was standing in line in another bad mood. The truck stop we were at didn't have my ginger tea, the bathroom had been a mess and I was stuck in a line of five people while the cashier desperately tried to clean up the food area. As I stood there in line seething, I realized I was quickly headed for another very bad day.
As I stood there, with a frown on my face I heard a voice from behind me.
"How are you doing today?"
I found myself shocked out of my bad mood and suddenly felt embarrassed at my behavior. I looked at the man behind me. He had on a white shirt, white pants, a trimmed white beard and a woven hat. He smiled at me and I saw that his face looked old and wise. I felt even more embarrassed. He was exactly how I would imagine God or Jesus would look if they came down to earth for a vacation. It probably wasn't him, but you have to wonder, what if it was?
"I'm OK," I growled back, but my temper had already disappeared into the depths of my embarrassment. I looked at him again and wondered if it was possible that Jesus might occasionally come down from heaven to knock us back in line, and maybe buy orange juice and a banana on the side? I suppose anything is possible.
Regardless of whether the man was Jesus, a representative sent by him or even just someone in the right place at the right time, he had asked the one thing that I needed. I guess sometimes all we need is a friendly face and a kind greeting. Maybe if we all did that we would live in a very different world.