While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, and resumed their trip. When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table, and she didn't miss them until they had been driving for about forty minutes. By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around, in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses.

All the way back, the elderly husband became the classic grumpy old man. He fussed and complained and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive. The more he chided her, the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up for a single minute.

To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant.

As the woman got out of the car, and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the grumpy husband yelled to her, "While you're in there, you might as well get my hat and the credit card!"

How easy it is to get frustrated with others’ mistakes when we are no better! Each one of us is in a learning process and we will mess up along the way. But God is eternally patient with us and loves us through it all. In the same way we would do well to show patience and understanding with others’ shortcomings. Our reaction can pave the way for others to come to Christ, so let us give grace and love patiently in all circumstances.  

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for your never-ending patience with me. I have fallen short time after time, and each time you give me a fresh start. Your grace and mercy are new every morning! Help me imitate you and show the same to others. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

1. Colossians 3:13 (NLT).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.