Be the kinda a person whose life is a mirror of their words.
I have had a loooong day! On Mondays (as I previously stated) I write an email to my co-workers and various other people I interact with. Normally my post is “PC” version of whatever my Sunday post was. However, today’s email was a condensed version of something that I learned over the weekend. In order for me to articulate the lesson well I am gonna have to share a back story, that’s pretty personal because I am not proud of the situation. But since the lesson I learned was invaluable I will bite the bullet and let go of my pride. Last week Tuesday during lunch one of the Nurse Practitioners I work with had lunch with me and my normal lunch crew, in the midst of conversation I said something in jest, however the statement was biting. The nurse hearing my statement said this, “Lisa if I didn’t know you. I would never believe that you are the one that sends out the Monday email.” Ouch! (honestly she said it nicer, but I heard that). Her statement bothered me all week and into the weekend, because it is so opposite of how I want to be perceived, so opposite of how I want God to be perceived in my life. What I learned is this: People are watching, they are paying attention. We can’t say one thing, but live another. We are not perfect and there will be days that we fail miserably. But as much as depends on us we should make sure that our words and our deeds match. I am thankful for the criticism. While it stung it helped me realize that I have to pay close attention to what I say. Because I don’t just represent me, I represent my beliefs and my God.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).
So what’s my plan of attack? A life that reflects what I believe.
Your post reminds me of Ephesians 4:1-3 “I urge you, then—I who am a prisoner because I serve the Lord: live a life that measures up to the standard God set when he called you. 2 Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. 3 Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together.”
I applaud you for being willing to be humbled and to learn from that moment. Shake off the dust, lift up your head, look upwards and walk-on girl! Walk-on!!
Wow, I needed those verses. Wish they had come to mind when I was having my “not so good” attitude moment. I appreciate that you took the time to share this with me. I will walk on. You do the same 🙂 .
You are very welcome, but believe-u-me, I have PLENTY of ‘not so good’ attitude moments myself. This is an area the Lord has really called me on the carpet about. So we’re both shaking off the dust and walking on 🙂 Be blessed!
:)… Sounds like a plan to me.
Lisa,
I know exactly where you are coming from. I actually left a place of employment because, the way I phrase it, they could no longer see Christ in me. I was getting so bogged down with the day to day stressors of the job that was placed on me that my light was being put under a bowl without my permission. Don’t let that happen to you because we are the salt and light of the world.
Thank you. I have been praying about my sudden change in attitude a lot lately. It may be God making me uncomfortable so I will be willing to move. I am not normally a settler, but I have become so comfortable where I am, and lately my comfort has been getting more and more disrupted. I think I am going take His hint. Thanks for the words of wisdom 🙂