In Training

Beloved, let us love one another. For Love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is Love. 1 John 4:7&8

This is a verse that I learned as a child through a Psalty (Maranatha Music) song.
The other day I was working in our concession and it wasn't busy at all. In fact a wind storm had pretty much driven any customers away. But there was one guy who decided to come and visit my booth. He was older and a little strange and didn't smell that nice. I kept up the minimal amount of small talk, but I was really hoping he'd go away so I could read my magazine in peace. As I was thinking how annoying it was that he was just standing there, not buying anything and not really saying anything either, a quiet voice in my mind said "what if he was Jesus?" My cheeks turned red and my neck got hot, in spite of the cool wind whipping around me; I was embarrassed by my thoughts and behavior toward this man. "Ok Lord, I get it. I am supposed to treat everyone as if they were Jesus, because the way I treat them is really the way I treat you!" For a few moments I thought about getting defensive about my behavior, "but he's NOT Jesus! What am I supposed to say or do? I don't even know him, do you want me to just start quoting scripture to him?!" That same quiet voice gently chided me, "just be nice to him, you can do that at least." "oh, that's it!?"I marveled.
So that's what I did. Later I realized that I am in training. I have been praying to know God's will and that I will do it, so it seems I'm being given opportunities to practice listening and obeying. I wonder how many opportunities a day go by where I don't listen...not something I can dwell on. Instead I choose to marvel at God's grace and patience in teaching me to love.