You never know what the other feller's toting....

Spoken like a true upstanding American. It was grandpa's little way of helping me remember to be nice to others because we never know what the other persons carrying, what problems they have or what hard times they have been through in this life. Sometimes I get a little a caught up in the world, my world, and lose sight of the things that are really important. Yesterday I came flying down our road at usual speed and our neighbor and her two kids were outside of their fence and she was mad clear through because I was going so fast. On my way back out she flagged me down and attempted to rail me for going so fast. I was surprised at the calm that over came me as I listened to her small little rant. I say small because she ain't got nothing on the family I came from, what can I say, they taught me well! She went into how her babies were gonna get ran over and it would ruin my life....on and on. Instead of reminding her that she didn't own the road and that I could go as fast as I wanted to down it, I just let her rant. Then I was reminded in my head of that saying grandpa always uses and just told her calmly that if she would keep her babies in her fenced in yard, I would slow down and maybe together we could keep her babies safe. Why I said that I don't know. I was filled with an inner peace and slowly reminded that she too was a daughter of my Heavenly Father and that I needed to treat her that way. That is not my nature by the way. Some would testify that I would argue with a stop sign, and it's probably true! The look on her face was one of dismay which turned to wonder and then gratitude. You could tell she was ready for a good argument and I surprised her I guess. This is not the first time she has flagged down someone in my family, she got Arminda a few weeks ago. But I was glad that she jumped off her high horse just about as fast as she had jumped up on it. It has been said that we should speak softly and carry a big stick. I think we should tread lightly and know how to holler when the need arises, but not until then. Some people just don't understand anything but plain language. Yesterday I was in a funk to say the least. Spent most of the morning throwing myself a nice little pity party and then a dear friend of mine said, "A diamond in the rough is still a diamond." She was talking about someone else of course but I was able to see the wisdom in that. We are all diamonds in the rough, but diamonds none the less. If we could slow down long enough to see the road the other fellows been traveling we may just decide that we don't need to put him in his place, cause he's already standing in one that we don't want to be in. The same is true when we are the ones being told where to go and how to get there. People don't always act they way they should and we need to know that we don't either. In a Madea movie her sister tells her, "Madea, God gone get them one day and God can get them better than you can." That is so true. As long as we are doing what we are supposed to be and turning the other cheek, then Heavenly Father will take care of those that don't treat us kindly. Our job is to be the light. To become the influence that He would have us be. I know that I ain't perfect but I do cherish those moments when I feel like I did good. I can look back on yesterday with that peace that can't come from anywhere but within. It felt like being on mission again. I was, even if just for a moment, what my Heavenly Father wanted me to be. Small triumph I know, but a triumph it was. She didn't know that I had had a rough day or that I was stressed out over some stuff I have going on right. So instead of letting it get all blown out of proportion it turned into a roadside agreement. Big sticks are good when you are dealing with mangy dogs, but a kind word and a comprise can accomplish so much more with our fellow men. Some would say that I've quit preaching and done gone to medellin, guess its true. I was taught that pretty is as pretty does, and I hope we take those opportunities everyday to be beautiful, the way our Heavenly Father made us, no matter how ugly the other person is.

~AzK~