The first day of the semester is such a perfect time to institute “love is not easily angered.” A day filled with constant interruptions and endless questions and little patience from the other side of the counter makes for an interesting lab experiment in loving constantly.
Amazingly, the day went well. After work, I took a trip to Wal-Mart. I figured that would be the true test of “love is not easily angered.” With all the students back in town, it was definitely a carnival of high pitched screams and carts piled with Ramen noodles, school supplies, and all the dorm room essentials forgotten before. But I managed to maneuver my way around everyone and left without being any worse for the wear.
But alas, God did not allow the day to pass without a test.
I came home and clicked “connect” on my computer to log on and post about the day’s experiences. After a moment of trying, the phrase “unable to establish connection” appeared. WHAT?? “BRAEYA JO!!!” I yelled. She must have ripped the cord out of the wall as she went rip-tearing through the house chasing after her brother. She gave me her most innocent look, but I just rolled my eyes.
I checked the connection. It appeared to be fine. “Braeya, did you rip it out of the hard drive? How’d you do that?” I went back to the computer and lugged the hard drive out of the cabinet. The cord was firmly connected in the back. (Although I did manage to disconnect some random – yet important – piece of something else in the process.)
Teeth were now gritting and mumbling had begun. I tried again. Nothing. I shut down the computer and restarted it. Nothing. ICK. Finally, in desperation, I tried calling tech support. I received the lovely recording from the woman who probably works a second job at a 900 number telling me in the most soothing possible manner that she would love to help me if I would simply enter my phone number and listen as she gave me options. At last I reached the part for troubleshooting. She said in her low, even, fake tone, “Before I begin, please know that there is a service announcement in effect for your area. If you do not wish to hear this message, simply say ‘stop.’”
A man’s voice piped up – this man clearly had not attended the same school of soothing instruction that the woman did. In a gruff, 90 mile an hour voice, he announced “There-has-been-a-problem-reported-in-your-area.-We-are-aware-of-the-problem-and-are-working-to-fix-it.-We-apologize-for-any-inconvenience-and-will-work-to-restore-the-issue-by-midnight.”
I pounded the off button on the phone and yelled, “MIDNIGHT!!! I DON’T HAVE TIME TO WAIT UNTIL MIDNIGHT! I HAVE TO BLOG ABOUT LOVE IS NOT EASILY ANGERED!!”
Oh. Oops.
I gave up at last and went to bed. As I stretched out, one word in that phrase became glaringly obvious. Easily. Love is not easily angered. There are times when anger is warranted. People get angry with other people – and that’s okay. But love is not easily angered. Love doesn’t get upset about every little thing. Love doesn’t get mad over the petty things. Love doesn’t go from calm to furious in 1.5 seconds. Love is cautious about anger. Reserves it for the proper, warranted occasions. Times when injustice has really reached its peak.
My job, I think, is going to be working on finding that line. Finding the times when anger is justified. When anger is used appropriately. But at the same time, I need to recognize the times I do not need to blow up in a tirade.
Easily. It’s my key word.
I came home and clicked “connect” on my computer to log on and post about the day’s experiences. After a moment of trying, the phrase “unable to establish connection” appeared. WHAT?? “BRAEYA JO!!!” I yelled. She must have ripped the cord out of the wall as she went rip-tearing through the house chasing after her brother. She gave me her most innocent look, but I just rolled my eyes.
I checked the connection. It appeared to be fine. “Braeya, did you rip it out of the hard drive? How’d you do that?” I went back to the computer and lugged the hard drive out of the cabinet. The cord was firmly connected in the back. (Although I did manage to disconnect some random – yet important – piece of something else in the process.)
Teeth were now gritting and mumbling had begun. I tried again. Nothing. I shut down the computer and restarted it. Nothing. ICK. Finally, in desperation, I tried calling tech support. I received the lovely recording from the woman who probably works a second job at a 900 number telling me in the most soothing possible manner that she would love to help me if I would simply enter my phone number and listen as she gave me options. At last I reached the part for troubleshooting. She said in her low, even, fake tone, “Before I begin, please know that there is a service announcement in effect for your area. If you do not wish to hear this message, simply say ‘stop.’”
A man’s voice piped up – this man clearly had not attended the same school of soothing instruction that the woman did. In a gruff, 90 mile an hour voice, he announced “There-has-been-a-problem-reported-in-your-area.-We-are-aware-of-the-problem-and-are-working-to-fix-it.-We-apologize-for-any-inconvenience-and-will-work-to-restore-the-issue-by-midnight.”
I pounded the off button on the phone and yelled, “MIDNIGHT!!! I DON’T HAVE TIME TO WAIT UNTIL MIDNIGHT! I HAVE TO BLOG ABOUT LOVE IS NOT EASILY ANGERED!!”
Oh. Oops.
I gave up at last and went to bed. As I stretched out, one word in that phrase became glaringly obvious. Easily. Love is not easily angered. There are times when anger is warranted. People get angry with other people – and that’s okay. But love is not easily angered. Love doesn’t get upset about every little thing. Love doesn’t get mad over the petty things. Love doesn’t go from calm to furious in 1.5 seconds. Love is cautious about anger. Reserves it for the proper, warranted occasions. Times when injustice has really reached its peak.
My job, I think, is going to be working on finding that line. Finding the times when anger is justified. When anger is used appropriately. But at the same time, I need to recognize the times I do not need to blow up in a tirade.
Easily. It’s my key word.
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