When Something Goes Wrong

The first one I bought was good.

It was a sturdy plastic pitcher, with a good fitting lid. It was a Dollar General special and worth the two or three dollars I spent.

I went back and bought three more. We have company on occasion, and when we do it's good to have more than one pitcher.

The next three weren't the same as the first one. What a disappointment. The lids didn't stay on, or they dribbled.

Most of the time we just complain to one another or friends and family. Old Fuzzy for some reason sent off an e-mail complaint to the company. I doubt he really expected much in return, but nothing ventured nothing gained.

We received an immediate reply, and within the week we also received three replacement pitchers with good fitting lids.

To say we were surprised would be an understatement. In a culture of instant gratification, of callous indifference we don't expect much satisfaction in such happenings.

What is our reaction in many similar situations? When things go wrong how do we respond? I know how I ought to respond, but more often than not I don't respond well. In short, I react.

Of course, different situations require different behavior. My aim is to think through and respond in the best manner. Prayer and meditation, becoming a more thoughtful and less reactive person is an admirable goal.

Psalms 103:15 "As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16) For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17) But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 18) To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them."