“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man” (or woman) “keeps himself (or herself), “under control.”  Proverbs 29:11 (N.I.V.)

Reporter on the scene Ima Knot Proudofthis for fvbf News brings us this report.

Trussville, AL :  “Eyewitnesses report that a grown woman was seen sitting inside a vehicle parked in front of the Sam’s Club here in Trussville, Alabama having what appeared to be a temper tantrum.  During her repeated whacking of her hand and arm on her car door sweaty monkeys were seen fleeing the vehicle.  Animal control has been trying to find the monkeys but so far they have eluded capture.

When we asked the man accompanying her, who identified himself as her husband, what happened he replied “All I know is I asked her for the receipt to these paper goods I purchased earlier and she couldn’t find it.  I mean, she’s been uptight a lot lately, but well, this shouldn’t surprise me I guess.”

There was one child in the car who was in no danger as the woman pounded on her car door but who did appear to be crying and wanting to know if her Mama was all right.  The woman calmed down enough to reassure the child.

Another witness, WhatIWas Thinking, told this reporter that as the woman hit the car door her thoughts ran with the sweaty monkeys like this…

                   WHACK  – depending on someone else to help do errands and other stuff

WHACK – ill designed businesses, furniture layouts, and poor configurations in public buildings

WHACK – schedules thrown off by someone else’s inability to back up their guarantees

WHACK – pouting children

WHACK – husbands who think they are being funny

WHACK – missed pool party

WHACK – upgrades that cause downtime with computer systems on a job where 99% of job depends on computer to be accomplished in this digital world

WHACK – for three weeks of the above

WHACK – staffing issues

WHACK – good friends needing more than is have available to be given

WHACK – double mortgages, tight budgets

WHACK – impossible deadlines

WHACK – unreasonable expectations

WHACK – mental health benefits change that have been inadequate to meet family needs

WHACK – thinning hair

WHACK – chronic illness with pain

WHACK – feeling inadequate as a woman, mother, wife, Christian

WHACK – WHACK – WHACK AND WHACK

As the woman continued to whack her door and the sweaty monkeys were still fleeing from the car other events inside the car were occurring too.

The keys fell out of the ignition.

The child was crying.

The husband calmly got back in the car.

Tears flooded down the woman’s face.

People walking past the car stared.

The woman’s hand hurt from clenching and whacking.

Somehow she scraped her elbow and it was burning.

Sweat is mixing with her tears.

This is a 48 year old woman having a temper tantrum folks.

The sweaty monkeys scrambled off to hide.

She found the receipt.

She was left alone in the car, still crying, people still staring and she appeared to be praying.

Proven spiritual immaturity, prime and perfect example given by a 48 year old woman in her car in front of a local Sam’s Club store – it wasn’t a pretty picture.” —

“Then he said to them all:  ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  Luke 9:23 (N.I.V.)

That was me as yesterday I proved I have a lot of work to do on maturing in Christ.  Jesus got angry, yes, but it was justified righteous anger over God’s house being used to rip people off.  He overturned tables and chased people out of the temple courtyard. (John 2: 12-16) My anger didn’t fit the righteous anger criteria.

“In your anger do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27 (N.I.V.)

I was angry for reasons I could justify to you or myself but not to God.  My witness as a Believer was certainly damaged.  I didn’t model appropriate ways to channel your anger to my child.  I ignored how diligently my husband is to help me do what needs doing.  I didn’t turn to God before all the sweaty monkeys fell, or even when they fell, I did that after I whacked the car door.

At least I did turn to God afterwards and apologized to child, husband and God.

My elbow is still sore.  But my heart is open to my sins and the knowledge of what I need to work with God on about my spiritual life.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4: 31-32 (N.I.V.)

This is my life.  It is the only earthly life I have.  Yet I should take peace from knowing that this life is not the end – one day I will be going home.  Now to catch my spiritual maturity up to meet the standard a Believer who is physically 48 and spiritually should be 34 not 5!

“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  “Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 (N.I.V.)