Clay in the Hands

Ever heard the phrase, “Practice what you preach”?  Last week I had to do that.  On Sunday the 9th I preached on loving mercy from Micah 6:8.  I reminded our folks that one of the things God expects is for us to show mercy just as God has been merciful to us.

Last Friday, Kristi and I were set to work on the house.  I rented a concrete saw in Levelland and we headed to the house.  I went straight to work cutting some brick with the saw – rentals are done on an hourly basis and I wanted to get the work done quickly so that I could get the saw back to the rental center and not spend any more money than I had to.  I started the work and made it about 3 feet before the switch went out on the saw.  I called the rental company and all they could say was, “sorry, I guess bring it back but we don’t have another one.”  I was frustrated but there was nothing anyone could do so I loaded it back up in the car and made the 25 mile drive back to the center.

I began to call around different places in Lubbock to see if I could find one there.  On my second call I found one!  And what made it even better, it was the same price as the one I was returning but instead of being a four hour rental, it was for a whole 24 hours!  Wow, this was going to be much better.

We drove to Lubbock and walked into the rental department.  I told the young man what I needed and he said, “Oh yes, I talked to you on the phone earlier – that saw is right down this aisle.”  We headed down the aisle toward the saws and he stopped and turned to me and asked what to me is one of the most insane questions I have heard in  a long time.

“Are you going to need a blade for the saw?”

Am I going to need a blade?!  My reaction was one of shock and disbelief.  What I wanted to say was, “Nope, I am simply going to drag the saw back and forth across the concrete until I wear a hole in the floor!”

Well, long story short, to get a saw for 24 hours that actually comes with a blade is double the cost of the quote on the phone.  At that point, I was beyond frustrated.  That was a little tid-bit of information that I would have liked to have known prior to making the 30 mile drive to Lubbock.  I am not sure it would have changed my plans because I had to have the saw, but none the less, not a surprise that I wanted.

But then I remembered – love mercy!

Obviously, I am not over my bitterness even today but I am smiling about it and thinking to myself, I need to be careful what I preach.

What about you – have any stories to share about having to show mercy?