How Many Times Do I Have To Tell You?
It was a cold winter’s night. The winds were strong. The wheelie bins were on the ground. Although they were full as they were due for collection the following day, their weights could not withstand the pressure from the winds. As I pulled up on the drive way, I realised Lewis’ rusty old car was parked in my spot. I had told him time without number to park his car on the side of the road and not on the drive way as there wasn’t enough space for both cars until the workmen had finished the work on our front garden. “When would he ever learn?” I asked myself. I reversed and parked my car on the side of the road. I was very unhappy because due to his stubbornness, I was being forced to park my brand new Audi R8 on the street!!! What if someone broke into my shiny new car? What if someone smashed my LED headlights? I got out, slammed the door and stormed into the house. “Lewis! Lewis!!” I yelled. “How many times do I have to tell you not to park on the driveway? Why do you always like to provoke me? You are such an idiot! Arghhh!! ” Lewis started walking down the stairs. He said gently: “I’m so sorry Melissa. I got a few bits on my way home but I thought the load would be too heavy to carry into the house. That’s why I parked there. I wasn’t expecting you to be back for at least the next ten minutes. I had literally just taken the last shopping bag upstairs when you came in”. Lewis smiled at me. After all, he was my only brother and I couldn’t remain angry for long. I wanted to let go of the issue but then a part of me wanted to make a big fuss about it. I wasn’t much of a forgiving sister. I was the sort who went to church on Sunday, praised God with all that I had within me but forgot The Lord’s instructions as soon as I got home. I started to list all the things Lewis had done wrong since we were kids. Lewis just smiled, and smiled. I’m not quite sure how he kept his cool or why he wouldn’t react. Suddenly, it dawned on me... “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). I apologised for being overly harsh. We hugged and then enjoyed a peaceful evening.
Take care and Stay blessed, Rachel A-Kumi
