I was so excited. A Christian women’s conference was being held in a nearby city and a speaker and author I’ve always wanted to hear was one of the featured speakers. I registered right away and arrived early on the morning she was scheduled to speak.
The conference was wonderful and all of the speakers were great. My speaker was just awesome and I couldn’t wait to meet her and tell her that.
Right after she finished speaking, I went out to her table and purchased her latest book. As she was sitting beside her book table, I handed her my book and said, “Your message was awesome.” Silence. I repeated my statement and still nothing. She didn’t look up at me; she didn’t ask my name or anything else. She signed my book and handed it back to me, without even a smile.
My first thought was to give her that book back and demand a refund. Then I realized that I really wouldn’t feel any better by being as rude as the speaker had been. So, I said a quick prayer for her and for me then went to lunch.
Upon later reflection, I was reminded that people don’t always behave the way we want them to or expect them to. As a matter of fact, I’m not always as kind and gracious as I should be. I suspect that you aren’t either. So, when you’re on the receiving end of someone behaving badly, what do you do?
First, forgive them.
For all I know, perhaps I reminded the speaker of her crazy cousin or something. Maybe the woman who spoke with her before me said something that upset her. Whatever the reason, when someone doesn’t do or say something you want them to, choose to forgive them. When you do the same, you will want others to forgive you too.
Next, forget about it!
Once upon a time, I might have sought the speaker out for further explanation, in person or in writing. That reaction, however, only prolongs a bad memory. Once this blog is posted, I have no intention of dwelling on this incident. If you find yourself in a similar situation, decide what’s best for you – stewing over the person’s bad behavior or forgetting it and focusing on your blessings instead.
Finally, move on.
In the big scheme of things, this little incident is not really that important. You and I are busy women who are much too busy to get caught up in “being done wrong.” So, when that happens, move on to the next thing God would have you to do, as quickly as you can.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. -Colossians 3:13
