The Other Side of the Story

She wrote a note; her words were misconstrued—how rude! The other person’s error cost her nearly $15. How disconcerting when someone else makes a mistake and you end up paying for it! She peered at the product she would not have picked, misreading the information, misunderstanding the item’s actual appeal and value. Inwardly she wailed, “I paid for THIS?!”

But slowly she began to realize that the other person had simply made an innocent mistake, had surely the best of intentions, and had obviously been trying to please her. Were her own initial misconceptions about the item somehow more forgivable? In the end, she appreciated the product. And thankfully, nobody else had been around while she worked through the issue; it can be challenging to control the temper and tongue when your will has been crossed.

May we calmly take time to consider the other person’s side of the story, and may we willingly grant forgiveness and grace.