Have you ever been tailgated? Whether it’s in a car or walking it’s so annoying, right? Well, the other day I was the annoying one. I was trying to exit the Starbucks parking lot. I don’t know what they were thinking when they put this particular intersection together, but it’s crazy confusing in every direction. Everyone stops at the same time and tries to move forward at the same time. I think you probably understand what it must look and feel like. If you don’t and are ever caught in one, at least inch your way out or it may seem like you’ll sit there forever.

It seemed that the person in front of me was a little unfamiliar with the rule of “inching out” and time was ticking, so I beeped softly, but nothing. A few minutes later and maybe after 10 more cars moved through the intersection, I beeped again, and again nothing. What’s going on? I thought. Why isn’t she at least trying? I then indicated to her with my hands that she should begin to move forward. Well, I can see the words forming from her lips, and you can guess what came out. “#!#%!”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Obviously, I was struggling with some of the “fruits of the Spirit”! As I drove away, I immediately felt that poke on my shoulder and convicted of my wrong attitude! I asked God to forgive me. In my impatience, I caused someone to get angry. This is wrong and not pleasing to God. My thought was, what if I walked into church service this Sunday and this person arrived for the first time, and boom, see me first!? Not a good witness for Jesus, right? This is why it’s so important to be careful and thoughtful about how we act and react towards others. We never know the work God is doing in their hearts. He may be drawing them to Himself. Their lives may be cold, but their heart may be warming up. So, we must learn to pause before we act!

Just thought I would share this testimony and hope it will encourage and help you if you find yourself in the same type of test. I pray you will pass!