Before You Speak

Woman to flight attendant (obviously angry): "I need to know where to sit, since HE is sitting in mine."

Flight attendant: "Just step over here to the side, while I get others on board, because he is definitely sitting there."

Woman trying to get out of the way of incoming passengers: "Excuse me, I'm just trying to get out of the way. SOMEONE is sitting in my seat!"

Man trying to board jet: "Did someone take your seat?"

Woman: "Yeah, he (pointing at the man in 3A) did."

Second Man (sarcastically): "I guess it's true, possession really is nine-tenths of the law."

First Man: "Wow, used to be men would give up their seat for women."

Woman: "Apparently not anymore."

First Man: "Where has chivalry gone?"

I learned a valuable lesson this week. Well, I learned it again, anyways. I can be a little slow at times when learning lessons. How many times have you been told to think before you speak? Some lessons are just harder to learn, I guess.

James warns us in his first chapter to "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger," but so many times we do just the opposite and end up hurting people. It can be especially painful when we become quick to anger and begin speaking out of that very anger before we have all the facts. Proverbs warns us that those with quick tempers display folly, but a man who holds his tongue is wise.

Experience can be an invaluable teacher, but sometimes the most valuable lessons can't be learned until you experience it from the other side. It helps you understand things when you can see it from both sides of the glass.

You see, as the man sitting in 3A, I would've gladly given up my seat for her, if I could have. Here are more of the facts: I was originally slated to sit in 18A, but the flight crew had difficulty getting the high back chair down the aisle on the small regional jet, so they had to stop at row 3 and they asked me to transfer over into seat 3A. The flight was already running late and by switching me into this seat it would save valuable time and get us in the the air much quicker than fighting the aisle chair all the way to the back of the plane.

I know the woman didn't know that I was incapable of standing up and giving her seat to her and for that matter, neither did either of the guys she complained to. I look fairly normal by all accounts without my wheelchair underneath me. All of them were just reacting to the situation as they knew it. I have been quick to anger and quick to speak on numerous occassions and now I know full well how it feels to be on the receiving end of these moments. For that lesson, I wish to thank her. That moment has formed a powerful reminder for me of what one of my weaknesses can cause.

If possible, at that moment I would've proven that chivalry wasn't dead. I pray now that neither is learning from experience. If I can learn that, the other shall follow.

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Proverbs 17:27.

That's nice...MH