I had been having a very trying day and told myself these things would not define it nor would it change my mood or steal my happiness. But try as he might the enemy did not give up. I encountered the nastiest woman I had ever had in the many years that I've been working in a Christian environment, I don't know that she claims to be a christian only that she was at our Christian bookstore buying a greeting card containing scripture. As she left I asked God to bless her. When I opened my devotional and read, I was completely at ease with hanging on to my happy day.
40 Day Journey -Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Day 15
This does not refer to God’s righteousness, but to suffering for the sake of a righteous cause, suffering because of the righteous judgment and action of Jesus’ disciples. In judgment and action those who follow Jesus will be different from the world in renouncing their property, happiness, rights, righteousness, honor, and violence. They will be offensive to the world. That is why the disciples will be persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Not recognition, but rejection will be their reward from the world for their word and deed. It is important that Jesus calls his disciples blessed, not only when they directly confess his name, but also when they suffer for a just cause.(and Dietrich Bonhoeffer can handle Nazis then surly I can handle an unpleasant person.)
About an hour later God gave me confirmation and a simple instruction through another customer wearing a shirt that said:
Love God.. Love Others
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.