Saturday, March 28, 2009

What ever happened to kindness?

Yesterday I took my mom to the doctor's office. Actually we went to two different doctor's offices... for a total of 3 1/2 hours. We could have been grumpy about that... but we weren't. While we were at one office.... we had seen the doctor, and we were waiting to get bloodwork done. We were sitting in a little tiny waiting room with two other people. One lady... and one man. The lady told us all about her struggles with needing to pay the balance on her account before they would see her... a whopping $3.25. She shook the change in her pocket to show us that she had brought it. I think she shared this with us because they would not go ahead and allow me to make my husband an appointment while I was there... because he owed them $15 for missing an appointment. I didn't even take my purse with me... this was my mom's appointment. Anyway... a nurse appeared out of the back to tell the lady that the doctor would see her now.... as they started off... the little man stood up and said, "please... before the doctor goes in to see her... please have him sign a prescription for me to get a new glucometer... mine is broken and I haven't been able to check my blood sugar for over 24 hours". To which the nurse made some comment below her breath... and walked away.

This man started a conversation with my mom... and they realized that they were in school together. This meant that the man was about 73 years old. He said that he had been waiting for 1 1/2 hours to just get a piece of paper saying that he could get a new glucometer. He was a little vocal about his situation to my mom.... but he wasn't asking for the world... just a signed prescription that would allow the pharmacy to sell him a new glucometer.

Then... out of no where... a new person came up to the desk and called the little man up. She handed him a prescription for his glucometer... but proceeded to lay him out with her words. She said as loud as she could...

"you can't just walk in here and think that the doctor is going to drop everything he is doing just to get you a prescription.... you should have called first!!"

she then said.... " you said your glucometer broke yesterday... you had time to call us about this... you can't think we are going to just drop everything and take care of your needs because you walk in the door!"

He tried to explain that he was out of town when his glucometer broke... and he just came back to town and stopped by there. She was not taking that either.... she continued to just fuss at him.... she then told him.... "this is not the first time you have done this.... you have done this before!!"

He just hung his little head and said, "okay.... " took his prescription... and walked out the door.

I was fuming. What is the world has made people think that they can treat others any way they please?? I just don't get it!! I felt so bad for that little man.... You know... the thing is that in "his day" you could just walk into your doctor's office... who knew you by name.... and knew your family.... and talk directly to him. You wouldn't have even had to deal with a huge staff of meanies.

I don't know anything about the people in this office... besides the fact that they are not kind... nor flexible. I don't know where they stand with the Lord. But I can tell you what kind of fruit is on their tree.

Matthew 12:33 says this,
"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit."

Oh... I want my fruit to be worthy of my Father. I want others to see fruit on my tree that is good.

There was another conversation that I was a part of the other morning at work. Several people were talking about a co-worker that talked ugly to them on a regular basis. When they were describing him... and I decided that I did know who they were talking about. He was the one that I was "short" with one time. Only.... conviction hit me so hard that I searched for him later that morning but couldn't find him.... so the next time I worked, I apologized to him. Needless to say... He was shocked that I would come and apologize for such a "small thing". His words... not mine. Not God's. He let me know in no uncertain terms that I was out of line.... my fruit wasn't lining up with my tree. I am sure that there are other times that my fruit doesn't line up. But that is not what I want. I want to be the REAL DEAL. When I told my co-workers about my apology to him... they ranted that they wouldn't apologize... they are just ugly back to him....

I so want to be the real deal. I want my fruit to be sweet and lead others to my Father. So tell me..... what makes you the real deal??

***It is almost my blogaversary.... leave a comment and I will choose one person to receive a gift.... I will draw on Tuesday, March 31st. If you don't have a blog... just leave a comment under anonymous... and include your name and email address.*****

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13 comments:

Laura said...

Hi, Lynn,

Just reading your story and I am fuming too! Words cost nothing, but give so much. To be kind is one of the few things we can give. I think we need to pray hard for all our health care providers...

I want my fruit to line up with my tree too; working hard on that.

:)Laura

Tracy said...

Hey there! I could so relate to your being mad about the way that little man was treated. I felt myself getting mad and I wasn't even there! When I encounter situations like that, I try (not always successfully, mind you...) to take a moment to stop and pray for the person who seems so unkind.

I always think of that passage that says out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks...I'm with you...I want my fruit (words, thoughts, deeds) to line up with my tree, too. I want it to be sweet and pleasing.

Great challenge in this post to all of us to examine ourselves. Thanks Lynn! Happy Blogaversary!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Well, I know what I would have done, exposing my fruit as I squarely landed it in their face...I know, bad fruit, but there is something to be said for being able to voice our concerns without being "punished." Dr.'s offices are the worst. My husband has the kindest approach to these kind of situations. I'm the opposite, thus, one more reason why I need him in my life.

I hate to see people be abused by anyone; I've gotten myself into some pretty tight spots before and need to learn the appropriate way of dealing with such issues.

Like you, I want my fruit to be good and used in the right way...not as a weapon to throw.

Thanks for stopping by Lynn. Obviously, you are attending to the "ones" in your path. Keep to it.

peace~elaine

Robin Lambright said...

I have to share that this is my all time pet peeve! I find rudeness and people who are ugly to others just down right unbearable. It makes me nuts!

It would have made me angry as well!

We shoudl all look to our own behaviosr, you are so right about being able to tell who and what a person is buy the fruit in their life and in their actions.

Blessings
Robin

JeanMac said...

So much easier to be kind to people.

Libby said...

Idon't know when our world got to the point that is was easier to be rude and hateful then nice and polite. Politeness costs nothing!! But think how much it can mean to someone who may be having a bad day. You could be the bright spot in their day, you never know!!
My grandmother always told me....you will get more bees with honey than you will with vinegar!!

Anonymous said...

I really do not know what to say. I deal with the public in my job and I know I have been rude to people...such a good reminder to stop, and let my light shine, pray for the person, ask for my humbling towards them. I hope that I can get this undercontrol...(I know of one person that bugs me each and everytime she calls!!!)

You are too sweet.
Tessa

Beverly said...

WOW, when I pulled up your blog today to see what was new in your life and read this I was shocked.

The same kind of thing happened to us today when I had to leave after Sunday School to take Kevin to the doctor. It is amazing how when people want something they only think about themselves not the other people who have also been waiting forever too.

We just all need to slow down and allow God to show us what He needs to in the times we have to wait.

His Word tells us to "Wait upon the Lord". so if we will just wait with patience who knows the kinds of things He will teach us.

Thanks for sharing

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

I'm dealing with a "mean girl" situation with one of my step daughters-I don't get it either or her right now. I am also sick of it.

I think you should write a letter of concern to that office to the doctor marked 'private and personal'.

May we all produce beautiful words to day that glorify our Lord!

In His Graces~Pamela

Crystie said...

Hey! I love your blog...as I said before, I stumbled upon it about a year ago...way before I ever knew you! Must have been God!
Love u!
Crystie

natalie said...

Lynn,
Happy Blogaverssary! I feel awful for the way that man was treated. Like you, I'm working to make my fruit line up with my tree, with the help of our Heavenly Father.

I have gotten better at this since I have given it to God. But, there are still times when I catch myself and have to take a few steps back.

Grace 2 U
natalie

natalie said...

Hi Lynn,
I just saw where you visited my blog, thank you! I am fairly new to this blog stuff.

I read where you are sending your kids to public school. I'll be praying for them and you as well.

Grace 2 U,
natalie

Leaon Mary said...

Hey Lynn,

Reading this made me SO SAD. I felt everything you said. You may live in a different town, with different people, but I often hear the same hurtful words, and see the same bitter and sour fruit.
It's a great lesson to be learned and I'm going to take more thought into my reactions and responses to others. We're to LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS, and even our enemies.
Where's the love?
Lea