Be like a duck

Today as I was standing in the Starbucks line to get my grande chai tea latte, the man in front of me ordered a venti soy latte. Apparently the Barista didn’t hear the SOY part so the cashier repeated “You got that SOY right?” The Barista responded…."Next time he needs to specify.” Before you know it, the customer loudly, and quite defensively, responded, “I said SOY with my order….I did specify.” It was quite bizarre really, and sad. The grown man customer sounded more like a whiny small child.

It made me wonder….what’s going on inside of him that the customer felt the need to so quickly respond and with such a defensive tone? How is it that something as innocent, and I think enjoyable, as getting a coffee can become a negative experience, and so early in the morning? Imagine the mood that set for his day. What about for the barista’s day? Already the barista was facing a long line of waiting customers and then this guy snaps at him. Granted the issue would have been avoided if the barista simply complied with the request and not responded. Of course the customer could have ignored the barista’s comment as well. Sadly, two opportunities to avoid the conflict were blatantly ignored.

While this may seem like a simple conflict, how often do we witness or even participate in simple conflicts that mount into bigger conflicts. Recently in my community, 9 people were injured and 1 killed in an altercation that ended with gunshots. I can't help but wonder if this wasn't caused by a build up of simple conflicts. How many opportunities to avoid the conflict were ignored?

So what lesson did I learn from this Starbucks experience? The need to be like a duck. Have you ever watched as a duck plays in water? The water simply rolls off the duck’s back. Perhaps we should strive to be more like that duck and just let rude comments, ungrateful responses, odd looks, unpleasant tones, and the like simply roll of our back. After all, is this not what the Bible calls us to do in Matthew 5:39 “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” And again in Luke 6:29 “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.”

I pray each one of us may be diligent in allowing the troubles of the day, the negatives, and the frustrations to flow off our backs like water on a duck. Isn't this truly setting the example of Christ? Isn’t this sharing His love undeniable with those around us?