³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:30-32

Dear God, I head a sermon Saturday evening where the priest mentioned that the Holy Spirit is with us after baptism, whether we like it or not. I’m not sure about the theology of that–especially when it comes to infant baptism–but I like this reminder to not grieve you and your Holy Spirit. Bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and all types of evil behavior. That’s what I need to avoid. What do I need to do. I need to be kind to others. Tenderhearted. Forgiving. And when I don’t want to forgive, I just need to remember how much you’ve forgiven me for.

I was in a movie theater yesterday and there were two drunk women sitting in front of me. It was the biopic about Michael Jackson and they were there to have a good time. Clapping along when the songs hit. Honestly, that part didn’t bother me at all. Frankly, I was more annoyed that one of them was scrolling on her phone a lot of the time. But there were people who were sitting a ways from them who were very annoyed. For a minute, I thought a fight was going to break out. I was starting to lean forward to gently suggest that we just get through the movie when this guy gets up and confronts them. Ultimately, the more outlandish and confrontational of the two women left. I sat there wondering if I should have been more confrontational myself. Should I have said something to them earlier? I honestly can’t think of anything I would do differently, but I do wonder if I didn’t miss my opportunity to say something to them in a loving way that might have deescalated before things got confrontational.

Father, I say this because I want to be patient with people and kind to them. Maybe I’ve done that to a fault. I don’t know. Help me to know how to be your man today. I have some big things ahead of me today. I’m interviewing someone about a position at our organization. I’m teaching a new group of men at Christian Men’s Life Skills tonight. Help me and everyone involved to be what you need us to be today.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen