Levi Smith’s family enjoys
vacationing in North Carolina. While
there, they frequent a favorite donut shop.
In compliance with the health suggestions, Levi wore a mask into the
shop to place his order. As the owner
started taking his requests, he slipped one side of the face mask off so that
his order would be clearer to hear. Levi
was quickly reminded to put his mask on again.
In response, Smith told
the owner that he would no longer be needing her donuts. Taking a stand, he didn’t scream or yell at
her, but looked her straight in the eyes and told her she was rude. He then left the shop.
About 2 miles down the
road, Levi said he felt the Holy Spirit convicting his heart. He thought, “I stood for my personal belief
while ignoring humility and grace.”
After turning the van around, Levi drove back to the donut shop, put his
mask on, went up to the store owner, and said, “I am sorry.” With other customers present, Levi apologized
for his actions, asked for her forgiveness, and responded that he should have
been more gracious and humble. With a
weary look, the lady explained how tough times had been due to the pandemic. As a former nurse and small shop owner, she
was worried, tired, and weary. Levi
realized that “She didn’t need a seasonal patriot. She needed a gracious Christian.”
After purchasing donuts
and returning to his van, Levi proceeded to explain to his children what he had
done and why he needed to make it better.
He wanted his children to know that it is important to “set ourselves
aside for the well being of others.”
Levi concluded, “We will
be back for more donuts this week. I’ll
be wearing my mask the whole time, making sure I am a blessing and not a
bully. And I didn’t have to give up a
shred of freedom or dignity to do so.
This world needs humility, grace, and forgiveness. It doesn’t need more casual Christians dying
on their temporal hills. It needs more Jesus-followers
living out the gospel. Yes, be a
patriot. But don’t let your personal
beliefs drown out your faith and witness.”
In these days of
uncertainty and quarantine, selfishness, self-importance, and impatience can creep in, if we
are not on our guard. May whatever we think,
do, or say be with compassion, grace, and humility. And with Jesus’ light shining through us, may
we be blessings to all we encounter.
May these
words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
Lord. My Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
For by
grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly
than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance
with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Romans 12:3
Do not
let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for
building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who
listen.
Ephesians 4:29
Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to
the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4
