Read this..."PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 18) - A Rhode Island woman faces charges after allegedly punching and biting her 11-year-old son's school principal after being told the boy was being suspended. Police said 30-year-old Aleyda Uceta also bit an officer trying to arrest her after Friday's incident at Roger Williams Middle School in Providence. She was charged with assault on school officials, assault on police officers and resisting arrest. Principal Rudolph Moseley Jr. was allegedly assaulted after he told Uceta that her son would be suspended for three days for refusing to go to a room for misbehaving students. Police said Uceta punched Moseley in the face and bit his left arm. Attempts to reach Uceta by phone for comment were unsuccessful."
I wonder where this misbehaving boy learned his behavioral standards? Hmmmm. When reports such as this surface, few are surprised at the child's poor conduct when the parent seems to practice such abhorrent behavior. It makes us hurt for the anger that must hang like a cloud in this home.
This story reminds all of us that we are examples and models to those around us...even when we don't want to be cast in that role. How we respond to tough situations, crises, injustices, harsh words, and challenges reflects who we are inside. If foul language and anger erupt from us...then that is what lives in us. When that sort of behavior is evidenced it says that the person reacting in such a poor manner has little or no respect for those impacted by their behavior. The expression of that kind of behavior has...at the point in time it is evidenced...become more important to the person doing it than the emotions or well-being of those around them. It is essentially selfish, insensitive behavior. And...let's face it...not the kind of example that any of us want to leave.
What kind of example are you leaving? How would those who work with you describe your actions and reactions? Do you respond with wisdom or react with emotion to the challenges before you? Is your behavior reflective of the person of Christ? Is your behavior centered more on yourself or more on others? We need to make sure that the model we live points positively to Christ. Others are watching...and so is Jesus.
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:5,6
"FORT PIERCE, Fla. (March 3) - Authorities say a Florida woman called 911 three times after McDonald's employees told her they were out of McNuggets. A police report said 27-year-old Fort Pierce resident Latreasa L. Goodman told authorities she paid for a 10-piece last week but was later informed the restaurant had run out. She says she was refused a refund and told all sales were final. A cashier told police she offered Goodman a larger portion of different food for the same price, but Goodman became irate. Police say Goodman was cited on a misuse of 911 charge. A current phone listing for Goodman couldn't be found. A McDonald's spokesman says Goodman should have been given a refund, and she's being sent a gift card for a free meal."
This is for real! No kidding. Now...let's face it...we've all been yanked around for one reason or another at fast food restaurants. Many are the times I've pulled away from the drive-up window only to discover that what was in my bag didn't' match the order I placed. Based on the above news article, I apparently should have called 911. Sheesh.
Ok, so let's ask ourselves...about what do we complain? What happens in our lives that validates our making a big stink? I have noted through the years that seldom do people complain about issues that really matter. Let's take this lady who called 911 over a shortage of Chicken McNuggets to fill her order...I wonder if she has ever been upset by the number of people starving around the world. If she saw a homeless person...would she call 911? Would she have deemed it a critical need requiring emergency response if she were asked to buy products produced by slave labor (and she probably has). What really constitutes an emergency?
The same can be asked about our spiritual understanding and journey. What do we complain about? What constitutes an emergency? Are we more upset about the fact we didn't know something that happened at church or that there are those who don't know Christ? Are we more rankled about feeling that we didn't receive the attention we thought we deserved at church or that countless millions receive little to no attention when it comes to their nutritional and spiritual needs? Do we call 911 (our prayers to God) more readily about our needs than the needs of others? What upsets us? Is it of eternal value? It can be very disconcerting when we realize that a great deal of humanity's bellyaching is self-serving and that we are not often enough stirred up about what really matters.
Let me say "thank you" to all of you. Honestly...I have encountered very little complaining at BreakPointe. That is very unusual and is one of the characteristics that adds to the strong unity and community we enjoy. It's why people can walk in to BreakPointe off the street and feel welcome. There are no undercurrents...no complaining that would undermine our mission, which is to make disciples of Christ. Let's make sure we always keep our focus, keeping our eyes and hearts on what matters to the Lord.
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Philippians 2:14-16
RSS Feed