Today we got about 10 inches of snow. It stopped around noon and I decided to go out and clean the sidewalks and driveway. I also decided to clean the neighbors sidewalk and driveway to help them out. The sidewalk path was roughly and 1/8 mile and with the driveways it took about 2 hours.
As I was finishing up the my driveway, here comes the snow plows. The first guy went by slowly so as not to push too much snow over on to the cleaned sidewalks, then here comes the second snow plow. Does he look or care that a lot of work went into clearing the snow, NO. He just plows as fast as he humanly can and ends ups completely covering up the work that was done. Now I am mad.
I call the town to express my anger. I had the wife come out and take photos to send to the town so they can see what their drivers did. Acting in good Christian fashion I decide to flip them off because I was still pissed. No that was not good Christian behavior. In fact it was the exact opposite.
What I should have done was still express my anger, but in a loving way.
Ephesians 4:26-27 New International Version (NIV)
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
James 1:19 New International Version (NIV)
Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Did I have a right to get angry, yes. Did I have the right to flip off the snow plow drivers, no. I should have just sucked it up and re-cleared the sidewalk, but still filed my complaint with the town. I did send the town an email as well with a set of photographs to show them what happened.
I pray that when you get angry, that you are able to quickly realize that it matters how you express that anger for you never know who may be watching or listening, think of the kids. I also pray that you are able to express that anger in a healthy way that does not cause you to sin. In Jesus name I pray for these things, Amen.