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July 18, 2005
impatience
Yesterday, I experienced the anger of an impatient man. I had gone to Wawa and pumped my $10.00 of gas and went inside to pay with cash. On my way in, I realized that I needed to use the restroom...so I did. I wasn't in there a ridiculous amount of time at all. After paying, I went out to my car and there was a car behind me. An elderly man popped his head out and yelled, " There is parking next to the store. This isn't a parking space, you know." Confused and softly, I replied, "Um, sir, I had to go inside to pay for my gas." and he replied, "Yeah, for 10 minutes...must have been a long line". He looked like he HATED me. I didn't respond. Got into my car and started to cry as i drove off.
GEESH. There were like 10 lanes at the store. I was not in there that long, and really...c'mon...
It got me thinking as I was trying to contain myself. Things are pretty stressful in my life these days. Just a lot going on and I am exhausted. It wouldn't/didn't take much for me to crack. I wonder how mister impatience would have felt if he knew I cried all the way home. Was it worth him getting that off his chest? His wife was with him in the car...I wonder how he would have felt if anyone spoke to her in the tone of voice he used with me?
It's something to consider when you feel like you just HAVE to let that person at the red light know they made you wait an extra second, or when the guy in front of you at the grocery store takes an extra few minutes because they are counting out the last of their change instead of pulling out a credit card. You never know how your little venting could really injure a struggling soul.
I want to extend grace and I hope for that to be extended in my direction, too.
Posted by stacey at July 18, 2005 08:52 AM
Comments
I'll remember this story when I am feeling impatient with strangers. In some ways, behavior like that reveals a certain insecurity. For me, when I get angry at someone in the store who's "blocking me" in an aisle, or a car in the fast lane that's going slow, I almost take it like they think they're better than everyone else and that's why they're acting that way. In other words, teh guy is defensive in general. His attitude was based in assumption. Obviously, he didn't think "She ran in to pay and used the bathroom quick" He probably thought something like "Who does she think SHE is, parking here, knowing full well it's blocking a gas pump".
I identify with the guy, and I can tell you, it's rooted in feeling like you KNOW what you're doing and that you're arrogant, rather than the reality of the situation. I hope that helps. Your post helped me.
Posted by: sabbeth at July 18, 2005 10:13 AM
I've done that sort of thing before also, and am not proud of it. I'd hate to be mean to a person as kind as you; the thought makes me cringe.
I'm sorry this happened.
Posted by: jess at July 20, 2005 02:53 PM
Sometimes I do think that way when someone makes me angry. I think it's only through the grace of God that we can act lovingly towards others at all times...even when they are doing something to inconvenience you.
Posted by: faith at July 29, 2005 10:42 AM
I agree with her.
Posted by: sabbeth at July 29, 2005 11:55 AM
What's going on with your blog? The front page is blank...
Posted by: sabbeth at July 29, 2005 06:25 PM
I think it's because it's August now, and she hasn't posted anything yet.
Posted by: faith at August 2, 2005 10:24 AM