Last week wasn't so great. I brought John home from preschool on Wednesday and he went out back to play. . . only to come inside a few minutes later to announce that he'd "found two animals" that made a squeaking noise when he picked them up. I went outside and discovered two tiny baby bunnies, eyes still closed. One was injured, thanks to the dog, but the other seemed fine and both were still alive. I went into crisis mode. It was time to pick Sara up from school, but I scooped those babies into a shoe box, buckled John in and called the vet from the van. The vet said she couldn't help, but directed me to a wildlife rescue organization.
Thus began the bunny ordeal. I spent the rest of the afternoon literally driving across two counties to try and save two baby cottontails. I just felt sure it was the right thing to do. I didn't want them to die, and I wanted to teach the kids a lesson in humanity.
Finally I arrived at my destination. . . the home of a "rabbit rescue" volunteer. . . with three out of four kids in tow. The kids had prayed for the bunnies on the way there.
I was met by a woman with a scowl on her face, who scowled even more when she saw three young children get out of the van. The kids went inside with me, and while I really thought they behaved fairly well, this woman obviously did not. My kids are young, energetic and curious. . . so put them in a room full of animals and, well, they will be kids. The woman frowned and corrected them constantly for the entire 3-4 minutes we were in the room. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I "apologized" for myself by muttering something to her as I walked out about Travis being autistic. But I was embarassed and just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
I was mean to the kids on the way home. When we got home I found two more bunnies in the back yard, both dead. I cried for a couple of hours that evening. I thought it was because of the bunnies. . . but it wasn't. It was because I was embarassed. That's why I was mean to the kids. Why couldn't my children just be perfect angels all the time? Then no one would scowl at me or look down on me or judge me because of their behavior. In my embarassment, it just didn't dawn on me until later that the person with the problem was the grumpy lady. . . not me. . . or my kids.
I think about a woman I see up at Sara's school sometimes. I've never spoken to her. I just see her driving in her beat-up old car. She zipped past me one day, speeding through the school zone (ironic for me, huh?) and honking her horn at somebody who got in her way. As she passed me I checked out her bumper sticker. . . something about being born again. She may be born again, but she drives that beat-up car like the rabbit lady wears her scowl. It's like a big sign that says, "Don't mess with me."
In total contrast, there's a crossing guard at Travis's school who stands at the corner and waves to the cars driving by in the morning. She always has a smile on her face and she waves at everybody. . . whether they acknowledge her or not. One morning as we drove by I told the kids, "She's a Christian." "How do you know, Mom?" Kyle asked. "Because," I replied, "nobody smiles that much every day unless they know Jesus."
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe she doesn't know Jesus. But that woman lights up my day. I've got a feeling that we've got a certain Savior in common. I know I'd sure rather run into her over Beat-up Car Lady or Grumpy Rabbit Lady any day!
What do my face and my attitude say about me? Do I smile or frown my way through life? Can people look at me and tell that there's something different? A good something? Do my eyes light up when I talk to people? Do I seem excited about life? Am I compassionate and understanding?
Or do I frown and gripe my way through the day? Does my face condemn people? The way the Rabbit Lady condemned me and my children just with a look?
Bad things will happen. A few really bad things, some simply unfortunate things, and lots of irritating things. How will I react? What will my attitude be? Who is my example?
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. . . " (Philippians 2:5)
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. . . " (Philippians 2:14-16)
It's easier to be mean than it is to be nice. It's easy to be selfish and negative and to go through life with a sour attitude. It's easy to be irritated by everything and make sure everyone knows it.
Lord, please help me not to take the easy way out. Fill me with Your Spirit, that I might shine like a star in this crooked and depraved world. Renew my mind and give me the attitude of Christ. Help me to smile. . . especially at those closest to me. . . the ones who see me scowl the most. Lift my burden. Lighten my heart. Let me be glad.
