rude people

the other day, I had to return something, and as I walked up to the counter—a lady at another counter, said in a rather unhelpful voice—“are you returning that”


Sensing that she wasn’t having a great day, I said “sort of”, to which she replied: “what do you mean”

I explained the situation to her, and she “told” me that I needed to wait for a new one, as I tired to press the matter somewhat further; I wasn’t getting anywhere, so I signed the receipt and began walking out the door.

As I was walking out the door, I noticed the exact item that I wanted, so I picked it up and took it back to show her, and asked if I could get this item, to which she informed me that If I ordered it on line, I needed to wait it because it would mess with their “stock”.

I immediately set out to find my wife and proceeded to tell her my story, and she told me how it was the same girl—we think—who “waited” on her a few days before, and received the same poor service. I was, somewhat comforted, but still annoyed at the service I had received.

Pondering on that incident, it made me think about my life. Specifically, it made me ask myself the question: “how do I treat people”?  Am I nice to them, or are they just a means to an end?

A fellow in our last church used to have a saying that went like this: “it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” I think this statement is true in so many ways.

While we all want to be important, it’s more important for us to be nice.

Isn’t this what Jesus said? In Luke 6:31 we read this word: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (NIV)

Jesus reminds us that we are to treat people--- all people—in the same way that we ourselves would want to be treated.

He goes on to tell us in verses 32 & on: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them.

33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.

34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.

35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back….” (NIV)

Not too many people like to be treated like a door mat, most people like too be treated with respect, so why don’t we, seek to treat people with the same TLC that we would want to receive?

And what are we to do on the odd occasion that we bump into someone who is a little less than friendly? Jesus offers these words of advice in verses 27-28: “… do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you…” (NLT2)