Daily Devotional for May 24, 2022

A few weeks ago, our church held a townhall meeting.  Martha and Ruth were late.  The only empty seats were in the front row.  They sat as far to the side as they could.  This hurt my feelings.
 
Two Sundays ago, Don and Barbara were sitting under the balcony in the back of the sanctuary, where the acoustics are terrible. As I began making announcements, both signaled they could not hear.  I realized even if they couldn’t hear, they weren’t moving closer to the front.  This hurt my feelings.
 
Each week, little William has forced his parents to sit closer to the front.  Last Sunday, I noticed William had coaxed Robert and Annette into sitting on the second pew, directly in front of me.  I realized sitting so close to the front of the sanctuary was making Robert hyperventilate.  I almost stopped the service to call for an ambulance but instead, I decided I’d wait until he turned dark purple.  And while he did get purple, it never got dark enough for me to be too concerned.  This hurt my feelings.
 
These events got me thinking.
 
The common denominator in all three examples is everyone avoids sitting close to me.  In fact, everyone goes out of their way to sit as far back as possible.  I don’t get it.
 
I bathe, brush my teeth, use deodorant, and am very pleasant to look at.  I know this because whenever I look in the mirror, I cannot take my eyes off me.
 
The notion that the back pews are the most popular is strange because in some faith traditions, pews were bought and paid for.  Some were held in deeds and passed down from one generation to the next, like real estate.  The closer the pew was to the front, the more it cost.
 
I’m pretty sure if we tried to sell our pews, it would be just the opposite.  The most expensive pews would be in the back, as far away from me as possible.
 
After wrestling with this huge, hurtful dilemma, I have concluded, the world will keep turning.
 
Some things in life are worth getting upset, others are not.  Everything won’t always go our way but there are some hills that are not worth dying on.
 
When you get upset because someone has ridiculed, mocked, or berated you, or, even if they sit as far away from you has humanly possible, just remember, the world will keep turning. 
 
This is what the wisest of all people meant by saying, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city.”  (Proverbs 16:32)

The happiest, most productive people are those who do not let the petty inconveniences of life distract them.  Be one of those.
 
Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, as I go out into this imperfect world, remind me of your love.  Fill my heart with joy and use me to bring others into your light.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.
 
Life is too short to be angry.  
 
Also, just for the record, this past Sunday, Don made a point of telling me they were moving closer to the front.  God is good.
 
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins