Pink Shorts, Rabid Turkeys, and a Lesson Learned

Have you ever done something that in the moment you thought was right, but then

looked back on it later and cringed? I have done that many, MANY times, but for your sake I will

only relate one incident, which I can still remember well, probably because I told people about it

so many times. It happened a few months ago at the end of summer (oh, so long heat! Guys,

the summers are brutal where I live). My mom and I had just finished grocery shopping, and

were going to refuel our big white van at a big gas station. We were about to pull up to a pump,

when a fancy little truck darted in front of us. My mom slammed on the brakes, because if she

hadn’t there would have been a slight collision. We waited for the person to get out, and, just as

I suspected, a teenager emerged from the small truck. Did I care? No... but it was quite hard to

not cry out in anguish as my eyes were burned by the bright pink swim trunks that this half

dressed kid was wearing.

About fifteen minutes later I found myself staring straight ahead, annoyed with myself for

being such a quack. What had gone on in those previous minutes was a bunch of nonsense. My

mom and I had found another gas pump, and I sat perched in my front seat waiting. Why? For

whom? You know who. I was waiting for that kid to drive by, so I could bring justice. And he did.

I attempted to glare, but unfortunately my glare is just a pathetic squint. So, as he drove by, the

boy saw me squinting at him. We locked eyes. He slowly cruised by, still in a staring

competition. Then all of a sudden his face twisted up, and a noise out a noise that I can only

describe as a dying goat mixed with a rabid turkey rang out through the gas station. It made me

jump. “Last time I ever make a face at a teenage boy” I thought.

The moral of this story is that we need to always be aware of our thoughts and

behaviors, because as Christians we are called to be a light in this world for God’s glory. Every

time my mind wanders back to the contorted face of that boy that is forever branded in my brain,

I am reminded that if I had just had self control, that weird little incident would not have

happened. Even though it was insignificant, I think it was a good reminder for us to be good

representations of Christianity. If I had just looked the other way, and kept my passions at bay,

everything would have been okay, but instead I gave way to my sinful feelings of anger and

annoyance. John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one and

other; as I have loved you, that ye also love one and other. By this shall all men know that ye

are my disciples, if ye have love to one and other.” The way I treated that boy was not right. We

want to act like what we are, Christians. This verse also means that we are to treat fellow

Christians with love, because what would you think if you saw two people arguing in public, and

then you found out that they were Christians? So, in conclusion, let’s be diligent about watching

our behavior. God is always watching, listening, and he knows our every thought. Go out today

and be a light in the world for His glory!

-Dale