As I type this morning, I am embarrassed, convicted, remorseful and eager to make amends. In my haste and eagerness to get to a Bible study OF ALL THINGS, I have been short-tempered and impatient. I even left (hopefully) uncharacteristically terse messages on the answerphone of a person I had never even met. And, to add to my sense of "Connie, what were you thinking?" -- I was doing my daily Bible reading between my bursts of un-Christ-likeness. Perhaps I can relate just a tiny bit more to how Peter must have felt when he heard that cock crow right after the third time he said, "I do not know the man!" The Scripture says that "he went out and wept bitterly." Matthew 26:75
Our tankless gas water heater has been behaving badly for over a week. Generally speaking, this is a great device that we learned to appreciate when we lived in Ecuador. What could be better than lower electricity bills, unlimited hot water and energy-saving-type tax credits? Right? As always, when something works well, you look like a genius. When it doesn't, you get pretty disgusted -- quickly.
We had one repair person out last week who "put a Band-aid on it," but who needed to talk to "the person over him . . . . who needed to talk to the manufacturer . . . who needed to talk to the installer . . . ." You know the drill. Anyway, it got to be Friday afternoon before the right person contacted me and made an appointment for 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning.
It was absolutely not his fault that I forgot that I was planning to start attending a Monday morning Bible study at my new church at that very time. Okay. Maybe it was a LITTLE BIT his fault that he didn't show up until almost 10:30, but still he didn't deserve the tone of my voice in the cell phone messages I left him. No, I didn't use any profanity or bad language, but neither was I kind, and I confess to you that I am sorry about that.
Fortunately, when he arrived a few minutes ago, he graciously accepted my apology. Actually, he even brought another man with him, and they are working diligently as I type. I am confident that the problem will be resolved before the sun goes down, and Steve and I will enjoy hot showers early tomorrow morning. And, it looks like NEXT Monday morning is the time God has appointed for me to start that new Bible study.
Now I've confessed this to you and to God. I hope you will learn from my mistakes and missteps.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
Connie, coming from one who has been guilty of this very thing more often than I care to admit, let me just say that what reflects more on your character is how quickly you repent and make it right. Perfection is the goal, but the gift is GRACE. I bet that guy has never gotten an apology from an impatient customer before today! Thanks for your transparent way of sharing! I learn so much from reading your posts.
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