Sometimes it's hard to keep your cool. I believe you automatically become a magnet for testing when you choose to wear a shirt which proclaims some sort of Christian message. Yesterday, with my "God is Joy" T-shirt adorned about me, I set off with a Daddy Day with just me and my little guy. Three times we were tested.
1. The first was at the comic book store in Salisbury. I brought in some items to trade in. The last time I had been there they were very fair with the trade, and they were quite pleasant. This time, a different clerk did the bartering and although pleasant, refused to give me anything near what my items were worth. I left disappointed, but kept my cool.
2. Carowinds: Rain and a looming storm made our few hours there a little disappointing. Although we knew we were not going to get many rides in, it really made things worse when we walked all the way around to the far side of the park to ride Riccocet, one of the only "big rides" my little guy can ride. Although they had just let on the people right before us and there was no one else in line, they told us we could not ride. I asked politely and told the attendant we had walked a long way just for this ride, and pointed out that they had just let someone else through, but she held her ground. I left disappointed, but kept my cool.
3. McDonalds in Mooresville: The brand new McDonalds near my house in Mooresville is state of the art and beautiful. McDonalds is usually good for one thing - fast food. I stopped inside to get something to go on the way home, and waited 20 minutes for a 20 pack of nuggets (a minute per nugget???) Then after carefully telling them what sauces I wanted, I looked in the bag and they had just thrown some random ones in. I asked nicely for the sauces I wanted again. There were 12 workers (not an exaggeration) behind the counter, and none of them could find the sauce. Finally, I pointed out the sauce bin was right behind them. They still did not get it. And finally after a long day of disappointments, I had to raise my voice, point and strongly say "They're right there." Although bothered, still, I kept my cool.
So although my shirt said "God is Joy" , circumstances of the day tried to negate that purpose. It sometimes makes you not want to put on those types of shirts so that we can have the freedom to blatantly rant about the injustice, lack of grace, and incompetence around us. Yet, today I arise, Christ as my captain, and the armour of God adorned about me ready to face the day. Perhaps I would have fared even better yesterday spending more time putting on the armour of God before I put on that Christian T-shirt.
So fellow soldiers, go ahead and put on your T-shirt today, but be prepared to be tested!
