"I find this extremely hard to believe!" said my wonderful co-worker.

This morning I got blasted on the phone by a plumber who has dilberately chosen to not comprehend our rules and guidelines.  Not only do they not comprehend said rules, they choose to do things their own way and when that doesn’t jive with our rules, they get mad.  Piping mad!  I picture them with steam blazing out their ears! 

Today was such a moment. 

Lucky for me the 2 other gals in the office were out.  One sick and one taking time off to do some sorting and cleaning.

Said non-rule-abider called in.  When I explained that what she wanted would cost her an extra hundred bucks, she became belligerent and began yelling.  She found me completely rude and unhelpful and then proceeded to tell me how Tooth-tape-ripper was much more delightful and how she wised Tooth-tape-ripper was in the office today and not home barfing.  (“And not home barfing” added by me because that’s where and why Tooth-tape-ripper is not in today.)

In the middle of her screaming, I put her on speaker phone.  Why should I be the only one to hear this wonderful rant?  Why not share the “love” with my other co-workers?  I mean, if you are going to be crazy, you need to know that I am going to publicly display your antics for my whole department to hear.

When she paused to breathe, I kindly informed her that I would be transferring her to someone else.  *Amen!*

She, then, proceeded to tell the transferred-to-person how extremely rude I always (ALWAYS) am and how much she loves talking to Tooth-tape-ripper…  My co-worker said outloud, “I find this extremely hard to believe!” 

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my co-workers!!!!????

Who in their right mind would prefer Tooth-tape-ripper over yours truly? 

This whole ordeal felt like one of those out-of-body experiences.  You know the ones you see in movies where they show a holographic version of the character hovering over herself (himself) and watching the scene unfold.  It was like that…except it was the REAL me stuck listening to this real ranter.

Thankfully my day began with a gift card-purchased cup of coffee…with chocolate…made with coconut milk…and no whipped cream. 

Today Jesus and coffee saved the day.  

Loving the unlovable...

Over the past couple of years, I have a co-worker that throws me under the bus…and then drives over me…and then backs up the bus and to drive over me a second time…AND THEN has the nerve to come back around and be all friendly and smiling.  It’s almost as if after the running over and re-running over, the driver of the bus asks if I would like to go to Red Mango to cheer me up.  Seriously! 

Each time I am thrown under the bus, I am surprised.  Why I am surprised is beyond me.

Yesterday I was thrown under the bus.  And again, I was surprised.

I went online and searched “How to love the unlovely” because I am in need of some encouragement and help in dealing with this situation.  As I read, I was reminded of the Sunday school lesson I taught just 2 days prior – The Good Samaritan.  If you aren’t familiar with the story – here’s what happened…

A certain lawyer (I love it that Jesus doesn’t call the guy by name – in the Gospel of Luke it states “A certain lawyer”) came to Jesus and asked what he could do to inherit Eternal life.  Jesus answered him with a question inquiring, “What does the law say? How does the law read?”  The lawyer answered, “’Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.’”  Jesus informed the man that his answer was correct which prompted the lawyer to inquire, “But who is my neighbor?” 

Knowing the heart of the lawyer {and let’s be honest – knowing my heart too}, Jesus went on to share a parable about a certain man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by a band of robbers.  They stole his money and beat him up and left him alongside the road to die.  Robbers exit stage left. 

Along comes a priest.  He sees the injured man and walks past.

Along comes a Levite.  He sees the injured man and walks around him on the other side.

Finally along comes a Samaritan (despised) and he stops and helps the injured man. 

At the end of the parable, Jesus turns to the lawyer and asks, which of the three was neighborly? 

The lawyer responded “the one who showed compassion.”  {The Samaritans were so despised that the lawyer would not answer, “The Samaritan.”}

As I read through the verses and quotes about how to love the unlovely, I began thinking about the Sunday school lesson and my exhortation to the children to love their neighbor…and here I was, literally, not wanting to truly love my neighbor.

It broke my heart that just 48 hours (ok, so maybe it was more like 50+ hours) earlier, I was telling my Sunday school kids that sometimes Jesus calls us to love the unlovely. 

Angie Good, it’s your turn to love the unlovely.  Show mercy and kindness to this person who loves being right more than being kind.  I will choose kindness and mercy and grace not because in my flesh I can do this successfully, but because of God’s amazing grace and mercy that is lavished on me every single moment of every single day.

"To love means loving the unlovable. 

To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. 

Faith means believing the unbelievable. 

Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless." 

~ G. K. Chesterton

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My first blessing of the week...our church bulletin
The song referenced on the front of this week's bulletin has been playing in my Corolla on my commutes to and from work...  It's song #4.  It's usually on repeat.  The other morning, I was singing along with the Northland ensemble and I was so consumed with the words - singing them prayerfully - that when I exited off of Bypass 20, I didn't really even realize that I had exited.  Rosie has auto-pilot...and on that particular morning, it worked fabulously!  No worries - the next morning, I was more aware of my driving.

The second form of encouragement came to me through the hands of the US Postal Service -- a handmade card.  Normally I am on the sending end of these delightful notes...I'm thankful the Lord allowed me to be a receiver.  It was such a thoughtful, caring little note.  And it reminded me that there are people praying for me.  Thank you, Robin, for brightening my day!!!

It's sad to me...

...when we, Christians, don't take our testimony seriously.  When we willy-nilly go about our day and not realize that the world (the unsaved) is watching, listening, and pondering what how we act, what we say, and our motives, how this must break the heart of our Heavenly Father!

Yesterday I had a conversation with someone I work with.  This person made the comment (and I am going to Angie-paraphrase), "Why would I want to be a Christian?  They are hypocrites!  Act one way and then say you love Jesus in the next breath."

This statement broke my heart. 

Why aren't we more aware?