A funny thing happened on the way to my mammogram…
I went for my mammogram last week. It’s not my favorite experience on the best of days, and, turns out, this was not the best of days.
The facility I go to was launching a new medical records system, and there were a few challenges for the staff—not the least of which was navigating this new cyberterrain in front of a gaggle of middle-aged women who were already doing something we didn’t want to do.
But I had a somewhat unique perspective on their crisis. My sister works at one of the organization’s other facilities and was undergoing the same transition. It was easy for me to see her face in the anxiety-ridden staff members before me.
I did my best to respond with encouragement and assurances that all would be well.
That got harder and harder as the clock ticked ever closer toward me being late for a meeting at my still-new job. And, while I was kind and patient at the facility, I shared the story a few times throughout the day with a growing hint of frustration mixed in each retelling.
Later that afternoon, I got a text from one of my favorite authors, Lysa Terkurst. She has an auto-text program that always seems to speak into my life’s drama with just the word I need, and this day was no exception.
The text said:
“Colossians 3:12 reminds us, ‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’ Oh friend, I want these qualities flowing from my heart and I imagine you do too. Which ones would you like to intentionally focus on when interacting with the people around you this week?”
Gulp.
I’d done okay on the nice-girl-realizing-these-people-are-trying-hard scale, but was I clothed with kindness and compasion? I don’t think anybody thought “what a patient person” when they looked my way. While I might be tempted to argue I did better than some would have under the circumstances, I felt the Spirit reminding me: that’s not the standard I should be measuring myself against.
As Christ followers, we are called to shine His light to others around us—even when things don’t go according to our plans. In fact, it’s even more important that we show gentleness and compassion WHEN things don’t go according to our plans.
God ordains our steps. We can trust in His sovereignty and realize that what seem like delays and obstacles are really opportunities to be the light of Christ to others around us. They probably really need it…just like we do.
Heavenly Father, show me how to shine Your light in my world. I desire for kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience to flow from my heart. Help me see how I can clothe myself in these traits—Your traits—and may it be for Your honor and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
