"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
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