Busy Bathroom Grace

I was recently in a doctor's office and needed to use the bathroom before I left. As I waited, the toilet flushed. Then, it flushed a minute later, another minute later and so on for at least 15 minutes. Of course, I realize it might have been less time than that. When you have to go to the bathroom, anythings that interfere with that seem to take much longer.

 I should have prayed for Busy Bathroom Grace. Instead, I got somewhat frustrated, but tried to be gracious. After the person left the restroom, I saw an older gentleman on crutches. I felt ashamed that I had been so impatient, because he must have been having a terrible time in there! I should have been gracious on the inside of me and not just in the obvious part to others. I should have prayed a brief prayer, but didn't, I'm ashamed to say. 

Example of a Brief Prayer

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:11

I was with someone who was scooping up some free popcorn. They didn't ask me if I wanted any. The person told me that I should get a bag of popcorn and then took it from my hands. They wanted me to get the popcorn for them to eat later.

It's such a silly thing, but it really did irritate me. Didn't that person think about whether I wanted some or not? Couldn't they have asked me if I wanted some before they took it from my hands? I found myself getting frustrated at that person. Then, it popped into my mind that that's not what Christ wants of me. He wants me to be gracious to those who irritate me, but I was too frustrated to be gracious at that moment.

What I prayed was, "Popcorn Grace," and immediately Christ calmed me down, so that I didn't respond to the person in a less than positive manner. Although the "Popcorn Grace" prayer was very brief, I was asking Christ to please give me grace with this popcorn situation, so I would respond in a gracious manner, and He did! It amazed me that He knew and understood my brief prayer and granted me that grace, so I could be more gracious as an example of how He works in my life! I have continued to use these brief prayers which are changing my life and my response to others. If Christ can do this for me, He can most certainly do it for you, as well. Try it...what can it hurt?