In Chaplain’s training we learn procedures and methods for doing our job. What the training does not provide are personalities of people who we must work with. In the first months I had a difficult time breaking into the circle of leadership. They were good people but that they did not know me. The interesting thing is that the person I aimed to stay away from the most became one of my greatest supporter. They are NOT religious and let it be known. But when he treats me with great respect and is the one who provides me with whatever I need to help soldiers.
I must tell you there is a person who really annoys me. Know anyone like that? The problem is that they annoy me so much that I have to work at not becoming the person Christ is not pleased with. The person is a nice person, means well but annoying. This person will never change. There is not a speech that will change their disposition. So the only thing I can do is ask Christ to help me know how to respond the right way. Moreover, I must become the one who needs to change. This comes easy for some…not me. I would rather go the easy route, speak my mind, shoot the verbal bullets and move on.
The Golden Rule is tough (Treat others the way you want them to treat you). But then the Scriptures take it a step further and teaches us to treat others (even the annoying ones) the way we would treat Christ. Just when I justify that my rude responses were necessary, the Holy Spirit reminds me that I need to treat him like Christ. “As you have done to the least of these you have done it unto me” Matthew 25:40. So, I invite the annoying person to dine with me. Crazy, right? What I found was that when I provided that time one on one they became less annoying. They just wanted to be told they were doing good and that they were appreciated. They wanted my attention. Like I said, they will never stop being annoying, but I found that the changes did not need to come from them. They needed to come from me. My journey is helping me deal with all kinds of people; the rough around the edges types and the annoying types.
4 comments:
Hi Pastor
I just read your blog for March 6th and was woundering how I could be in Kosovo and california at the same time? I meen come on I am the most anying person at church (I try veary hard to keep my possision...ask lorin).
Today I was realy tired and could not stay to work tec on the secound service, I was a little over worked from my job this last week. I noticed that you looked a little tired too and was hopeing that you are not getting to worn out, if you are, then do what I do and annoy someone! it always makes me feel beter (just ask my wife).
Well I hope and pray you are in the right place and right time and if your not then make it so.
Troy Calloway
Hi Pastor Steve,
I can relate to the annoying people story and have discovered that there are different ways to communicate with people but the most important thing is that we should love one another right where they are at. The annoying guy needed affirmation which is probably his "love language". Pastor Kelly did an excellent job of explaining love languages during her sermon.
Blessings,
Heidi
Dear Pastor Steve,
I have really missed you since you left and can`t wait until you come back to ECWC.Do you know the exact date that you are coming back? If so please tell me.
God Bless You,
Kelli Rust
Dear Pastor Steve,
I just can`t stop writing. I have been writing so much that I am getting much faster typing on the computer. It is really helpful that you put a map on your blog since I had no idea where it is and hadn`t even heard about it until you left to go to Kosovo. This is just like when you left for egypt except I had heard about egypt before you left to go there.
God Bless You,
Kelli Rust
P.S. Please write back!
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