I often choose grace -- at least in a similar context as in your two examples -- but mostly because it's usually the path of least resistance. You seem to have attributed some (perhaps post-hoc-rationalized) beneficence in these cases. I tend to do similar things but mostly because I don't want to open the can of worms that may result from my going berserk. There's hardly ever a better long-term outcome that can result from escalating stuff like that. The world would be a much worse place if upsetting people was usually the easier path.
Cool examples, anyway! Sadly, I suspect your unfortunate waitress probably got hassled by other customers that weren't lucky enough to be boxed in by their friends.
Mr Jingles
· 1 year ago
I recall a moment in the checkout line of a retail store weeks before Christmas. My wife and I didn't have kids yet, but clearly the lady in front of us did as she'd loaded her cart up full of boy/girl toys. After scanning all the loot, the cashier gave her the grand total and the lady sighed as she realized she hadn't gone over a little, but rather a lot. She apologized and said she needed to put some things back and would be back in a bit... while she's loading her cart back up to return some items I could see that she was crying. My heart and my wife's heart went out to the lady. We checked out, and watched the lady shove off towards the toy area. We decided we needed to do 'something' so went over to the in store ATM and I pulled out a hundred bucks. When I found her, she was dividing the toys into two stacks(boy/girl) trying to decide what was to be kept/put back. I folded up the money and approached her. She then sprayed me with mace, kicked me in the nuts, took my wallet and fled. Ok, that part didn't happen but this was getting too soppy so i had to break it up. Instead I said, "Maam, this fell out of your pocket...." She looked extremely puzzled and a lil hesitant but took the money. I promptly turned and left.
Wendy
· 1 year ago
I have had moments where I've been a complete, unfeeling jerk and then in the same situation later been very patient and humbled. I have no idea why sometimes I can find the grace and sometimes I can't. I had a moment where I was volunteering and several people had consistently messed something trivial up. When approached for the 400th time, for some reason, I found patience and was very polite and overly helpful to a particular woman to help her correct her mistakes. She was saved humiliation and was very grateful and said some very kind words about me and our organization to her best friend... my co-worker on the other side of the room. I think God helps me bless people against my own will on a frequent basis.
Bunk
· 1 year ago
As a father myself this post hit me hard. Taught me something about how I may want to approach this topic with my kids in a couple of years.
New to the blog and am glad that I found it. Keep up the great insight.
All Comments
Cool examples, anyway! Sadly, I suspect your unfortunate waitress probably got hassled by other customers that weren't lucky enough to be boxed in by their friends.
My heart and my wife's heart went out to the lady. We checked out, and watched the lady shove off towards the toy area. We decided we needed to do 'something' so went over to the in store ATM and I pulled out a hundred bucks. When I found her, she was dividing the toys into two stacks(boy/girl) trying to decide what was to be kept/put back. I folded up the money and approached her. She then sprayed me with mace, kicked me in the nuts, took my wallet and fled. Ok, that part didn't happen but this was getting too soppy so i had to break it up. Instead I said, "Maam, this fell out of your pocket...." She looked extremely puzzled and a lil hesitant but took the money. I promptly turned and left.
New to the blog and am glad that I found it. Keep up the great insight.