I Hate Loving People

The past few months I've been convicted about how I interact with people. Not the people who are pleasant and fun, the people that when you hear their voice or see them you instantly want to run.

Yes, this is not a good thing, say when you are an administrative assistant and have to deal with them. So, I began to pray for God to give me His love to show to others. I think I will never pray that prayer again.

The very next day the most annoying client we have called into the office. He is the personification of the sesame street fly in my soup guy. I guess that makes me Grover. In any case, I picked up the phone and heard his voice and could sense my attitude change. I tried to be pleasant but he has a way of just being annoying, not acting annoying he IS annoying. So, I ended that conversation as quickly as possible and hung up the phone. Later on he came in and he stands at the front counter and looks over to see what you are working on. Hey buddy, not for you, go sit down already!

Some time later I was dealing with someone who needed to send me information for 1099's via email. I opened the attachment and there was only one page where there should have been three. Three attachments three pages each. I got it conceptually, just not electronically as there was only one page each. A few emails back and forth getting more and more frustrated, I called the person. She proceeded to tell me how to open the attachment. I cut her off and said yes, I know how to open an attachment I just don't have the other pages, they are not there. Then we did a virtual phone conversations of one of these things is not like the other and finally got her to fax it to me. I was so angry at her condescending attitude.

As I started to de-stress from the conversation, I remembered my prayer to show love. I should not pray a prayer if I'm not ready for God to answer it. Situations that are stressful and frustrating require more love than the happy go lucky times. How did I think He was going to teach me to show love, with the people I already love or those I that I do not like?

It is so funny how quickly God "remembers" our prayers for things like showing love or sharing his gospel. A few years ago when I worked with a girl with whom I wanted to share the gospel. I asked for an opportunity and the next day she asked me what I believed. How awesome when He answers those prayers so promptly! Of course my flesh says okay then why not answer the prayer for more money or for a husband as quickly, but God has His reasons, I digress.

I have continued to pray for me to show love, not every day, but often. I think I pray it when I don't show love to people. So, very often. It is something I wanted to cross off my list, to accomplish and then move on. How ridiculous a notion to move on from love. I'm glad God doesn't. So, I will continue to be tested, to fail, hopefully pass a few tests, but for the rest of my God given days on this earth.

Now if only I can remember that this prayer applies to road rage I'll be onto something.