Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. // Matthew 5:38-39
“Hey, watch where you’re going, idiot!” I yelled at a guy who nearly hit my car as he recklessly weaved through traffic. A few minutes later someone else heedlessly cut in front of me. I could feel my blood pressure rising, and the lady going ten miles below the speed limit in the fast lane wasn’t helping any.
As a mom to middle schoolers and high schoolers, I spend a large chunk of my day in the car shuttling kids around to two schools and numerous practices, games, and appointments. The crazy drivers annoyed me, but it wasn’t just them . . . the rude guy at the market, the mom who always cut into the pick-up line, the salty sales clerk. They all drove me crazy and I felt like I was becoming the proverbial grumpy, old man yelling at the kids to get off his lawn.
I was sharing this with a priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He advised me to try disciplining my heart, mind, emotions, and actions while I continue to work on my relationship with our Lord. I prayed about this and today’s Gospel came to mind: “But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well” (Matthew 5:39).
I decided that when I encounter these annoying situations, I would pray for the safety of the crazy driver, those around him, and the urgent matter that drove him on. Or I'd pray for the rude customer or sales clerk and whatever hurtful situation was causing them to act in this manner. Instead of allowing indignation to take place in my heart, I’m trying to have the heart of Christ. It’s not easy, but I’m trying. How is God challenging you to be more Christ-like in your life?
Lord, transform my self-centered heart. Please help me to have a heart like You and desire good for the people who challenge me the most. I love You. Amen.
Bobbi Rol is a wife and mama living on the Monterey Bay in California with her husband, daughter (also a Blessed Is She writer), and three teen boys. When she is not driving her kids to school, practices, and games, she can be found by the ocean, catching a late night movie, or decorating her planner. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. Find out more about her at revolutionoflove.com.
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