A couple of years ago, I switched from a bank to a credit union.  I like everything about the credit union, except that they are very slow.  My branch is small and slimly staffed, so a healthy wait is not unusual.

I have learned that the drive-thru definitely takes longer, so I decided to go inside one day, rather than wait in the long line of cars.  As I approached the window and handed the teller my deposit, she said a couple of times, “Hmmm.”  She finally said, “This account has been inactive for over a year.”  I assured her that the account was used weekly. She summoned her supervisor to come take a look, and she agreed it was an inactive account.  This was taking long and I was getting aggravated by “their” incompetence.  In my head, I was already formulating my statements to them.  I would be letting them know that I was tired of the long waits and now this, so I would be withdrawing my money and putting it back in the bank.

But … thank God, I held my tongue!  Thank God I did not open mouth and insert foot! Details would tell another story.

Gaylon and I have two accounts at the institution, one of which is rarely, if ever, used.  I had put that account number on my deposit slip!  I was the problem, not the bank!  On top of that, these women know that I am in full-time ministry.  How awful would it have been for me to cop an attitude, and possibly put a bad taste in their mouths for Christianity!

How often do we want to give an opinion or spout off about situations rather than wait until we have the facts!  How often do we give God bad representation because we are quick to judge without knowing the whole story?  And, who knows, the problem might even be “me.”

SELAH

^“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”  James 1:19-20 

“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.”  Proverbs 17:27