The Selfish Brat
Posted in Once I Was a Kansas Girl and tagged with Bible, God, Heart, Jesus Christ, Selfishness on July 14, 2008As I pulled up to the donut shop (I know, I know; but don’t let that distract you from the point of the post), I saw that someone had parked their luxury SUV in the fire lane 5 feet from the door. Already I was on edge. I really don’t care for rule breakers.
As I walked in, I saw that there were two ladies at the counter. One was a motherly-type in her 50s looking slightly worn down, buying herself a cup of coffee before what I can assume will be a long day. The other was a very put-together woman, dressed in a pink satin shirt and black pumps, buying a mountain of donuts for what seemed to be a work-sponsored sugarfest. She was also ordering a complicated coffee drink, and the boy behind the counter was looking a bit confused and intimidated as he was trying to fill it as promptly and correctly as he could.
Since he was going to take longer than she had apparently anticipated, she stated that she was going to take the mountain of donuts out to her car. I immediately knew what car she was going to: the SUV in the fire lane. I was between her and the door, but I quickly scooted back. She never said excuse me or thank you, but just proceeded out as I headed to the counter to order my donuts. I was expected her to expect me to move, so I got out of her way.
As I drove to work, I thought about this lady. The air of privilege about her (“I deserve to park my SUV here because the parking lot is just too far,” “I want my cup of coffee my way“) really irked me. But then I realized something more ugly. My very own sinful heart.
How did I respond to this situation? With self-righteousness and hate. While the lady was probably in the wrong, I was too. I responded in sin. There’s no excuses. She didn’t deserve my anger because of her own actions. I’m like the slave who was forgiven 10,000 talents yet was unwilling to forgive the 100 denarii owed to be my a fellow slave (Matthew 18).
How much has God forgiven me? More than I’ll ever know. I certainly haven’t gone one day without sinning and I doubt I’ve gone even one waking hour without sinning in thought, tongue, or deed. Yet, at the sight of the sin of another I become self-righteous. “How dare she take park HER SUV there. How dare she expect ME to move without a word. I’d NEVER act like that!”
But I have. On more than one occasion I have played the selfish brat. But it’s not an act. It’s an acting out of my sinful selfishness. But most of the time I keep it in. Or I act on my selfishness in socially-acceptable ways.
Lord, forgive my selfishness. May I rest in You and seek Your ways rather than demanding my own. Thank you for providing me the greatest gift in the forgiveness of sins through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Ugh, guilty as charged. Don’t you hate when the Lord disciplines you? I always feel like crawling in a hole because you know that we’re all guilty of this. Perhaps that is why Jesus told those who wanted to stone the woman that ‘he who is without sin’ should do it. Yikes!
Thanks for the thought provoking post!
July 14th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I’ll admit that I don’t have the same humbe spirit you have. :-) I would still think the woman is a spoiled brat. :-)
July 14th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Isn’t it amazing how our sinful nature tricks us into thinking that we’re more righteous than other people who are acting selfish?
Thanks for commenting on my blog, by the way. I’m glad you’re at ODBC too. :)
July 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
So true, Ronnica. It’s like the Lord has been the very same attitude in me through various situations lately. I think I’m getting it!
God bless,
Brenda
July 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
So true, Ronnica. It’s like the Lord has been the very same attitude in me through various situations lately. I think I’m getting it!
God bless,
Brenda
July 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I have this same issue with people who take forever to cross the road…even in a crosswalk, and don’t wave or anything. I try to justify it when I do it by saying, “well I have kids…what’s there excuse?”, but it’s still sinful. We are called, as Christians, to pardon others’ sins against us, and your post is a wonderful reminder! : )
July 18th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
It’s hard when we have those realizations about ourself. I do that too. *sigh* I fight not to, but it does happen.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:24 am
[...] do people insist on parking in the fire lane when the parking lot is only 30 feet further [...]
February 19th, 2009 at 11:18 am
[...] Selfish Brat – Hard truth about myself. [...]