because you just never know

Don't ya hate it when you go to a store and the service behind the counter is terrible? The gal seems grumpy and is very short on good customer service? Or the elderly woman you just held the door for didn't say thank you? Or the person behind you on the freeway seems a bit impatient?

In situations like these, it's easy for me to get frustrated, to think that the other person is a terrible person, a jerk (okay, so I wouldn't call an old lady a jerk, but you get the idea). We are pretty quick to judge that person's character based on the one action that we've witnessed.

But do you ever stop to think about what might be going on in their lives that made them grumpy in the first place? Maybe it's nothing, maybe there really are old ladies who are just jerks. But perhaps the gal behind the counter is trying to get home to her sick daughter but had to work overtime.  Maybe the elderly lady just lost a friend and is having a difficult time thinking of anything else.  Maybe the impatient person on the freeway is trying to get to the hospital to see a sick family member.

I'm not making excuses for the people who are just plain rude, impatient, or inconsiderate. But have you ever allowed your situation to affect your mood in such a way that someone else might misjudge you? I know I have.  I've been the gal impatient on the freeway (never the old lady - not yet anyway). 

So maybe just keep that extra measure of grace in your back pocket. Your reaction could ruin your witness or your reaction might speak volumes to them just when they need it. 

KC