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Showing posts with label sarah's post. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sarah's post. Show all posts

That'll Show 'Em

Posted in , , , , By Sarah 0 comments

A few weeks ago when I was working at the convenience store, a regular customer made a comment about how slow I was being (I had paused before asking if he wanted cash back from his debit card). I get really annoyed when people do this sort of thing. I almost always assume that it's their passive aggressive way of saying, "No, seriously, be faster," or whatever their point is. The next time I saw that guy, I was making coffee while he went back to the cooler to get his regular 6-pack and 2 summer shandies. He got to the counter just before I did and asked, "Are you working today, Sarah?" I answered I was and he said, "Are you sure?" That really irritated me. The guy can't wait a few seconds? I mean, I was right behind him. He saw I was there. So, then I thought that I'd show him how much he annoyed me by giving him looks as I rang up his stuff. Maybe I'd smile with gritted teeth or roll my eyes, anything to show him he was being a jerk. 
Then, the thought came to me that I should be nice, genuinely nice. I believe this idea came from God because, obviously, my first inclination is not to be so kind to people who irritate me like that. The question that popped into my head was, when has that ever worked? No one ever thinks, "Oh, this girl is giving me a nasty smile. I must have done something to offend her." If I had done that, that guy probably would've thought I was just being a jerk for no reason. So I, thank the Maker, was nice to him. The next time I saw him, he was really nice. He wanted to show me the sunburn on his legs he had gotten the previous weekend.(It was still a bit purple. Ouch.) I realized that I had misjudged him. He wasn't being passive aggressive with his comments about me being slow. That was just the way he jokes around.
It wouldn't even matter if he was being passive aggressive or an outright jerk. My reaction and attitude toward him, and anyone else, are what matter. Colossians 3:12 says that as God' people, we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Which would you rather try to show people: how annoyed, upset, and offended you are or the fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22)? It's not easy, but let's strive to be the kind of people God has called us to be.

Just a little pep talk

Posted in , , , By Sarah 0 comments

A few months ago, I was feeling down because I had no real direction. Like I mentioned last week, I sometimes get upset about where I work and don't understand why I'm still there. I prayed about what I should do, where I should go, but wasn't getting an answer. One day after I had read Psalm 139 (which is a great chapter for lifting your spirits), the thought popped into my mind to read the last chapter in Job.

"Then Job replied to the Lord: 'I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, "Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?" Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
'You said, "Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me." My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.'" (Job 42:1-6)

It was a great reminder that God can do anything and that His purpose will be done, no matter what. The last part of the second verse, "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know," really jumped out at me. I needed that reminder, and do constantly, that God's thoughts and ideas are above mine, are "too wonderful." I have an idea of how things should be, but if they're not ideas God gave me, they are ultimately no good.

God used everything that Job went through for His purpose and chose to give him back more than what he had lost. God uses what we go through for His glory. Like the chapter says, His purpose won't be thwarted, no matter what we do. 

My plan vs. God's plan

Posted in , , , By Sarah 2 comments

Hey, there. My name is Sarah. I'm a graduate of Missouri State University. I have two brothers, one sister, and a stepbrother and stepsister. I also have two nieces and three nephews, so far. I like to knit and crochet, go to concerts, collect Pez dispensers, and watch TV and movies. Watching bad movies with my best friends is one of my favorite things to do. Most of what I write is short and sweet, like me. I also make bad jokes.
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I've pretty much known what I wanted to be and do ever since I was a little girl. I was going to go to college, meet a guy there, get married and have children by my mid twenties, and become a writer, working at a publishing house and writing stories in my spare time. I never thought I'd be rich or anything like that, but somewhat comfortable financially. It seemed like a really good plan to me.

Let me tell you, not one of those things has happened. Well, I did finish school, but it took me a lot longer than four years. I started when I was 18 and finished when I was 29. (I was in for two, out for one, in for three and a half, out for three, then took my last two classes over two semesters.) I'm still single and don't have any children. My degree is in English/Creative Writing, but so far, I haven't been able to get a job in writing or publishing or any related field. Right now, I'm a baker at a coffeehouse and recently started a second job at a convenience store so I can stay ahead of my bills. Obviously, this is not how I wanted things to turn out. 

It may not be what I envisioned, but it's the way things are. And, it's the path God has for me. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you... plans to give you hope and a future." That's pretty clear. I may not know where exactly I'm going or how I'll get there, but I believe that God is in control. I do get frustrated at times that I'm still at the coffeehouse. It sounds cheesy, but it really is only by the grace of God that I graduated. That was a year and a half ago. I don't understand why I graduated only to stay working there. I don't understand, but I trust in God. He is working something out for me. I don't know what it is, yet. Maybe He still needs to work something out in me. The thing I have to remember is that God hasn't brought me down this path for no reason.

Isaiah 48:17 says, "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." So there it is. God knows what is best for me and he directs me. I just have to be willing to follow.

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