Is it wrong to say I can relate with this sister? I am not saying it is right. I am not saying I would do it. But I can relate. CBS Los Angeles reported an incident captured on a cell phone video camera of a woman hitting a man’s car with a bat at a gas station. Purportedly in the video of the incident, the woman can be heard telling the victim, “I told you to move.”

When I first read the headline my mind immediately flew to an image of an impatient mom waiting at the pumps for the inconsiderate clueless moron in front of her to finish his business so she can get her gas then run to pick up the kiddos. Why? Because I’ve been there and probably so have you.  Stuck waiting behind someone to pump gas and 20 minutes later the ingrate comes out of the store after buying five lottery tickets, a pack of cigarettes, and an entire grocery sack of junk food. So yes, I can relate. It’s inconsiderate to pull into a busy convenience center and then leave your vehicle parked at the pump for 20 minutes while you “shop.”

No doubt this woman snapped but “Ray,” the owner of the truck, makes an incredulous admission. He says that he suspects it happened because he was sitting in his truck making calls after he filled his tank. He admits he lost track of time, possibly staying there for about an hour. Ya think, Ray?

We are living in a world where no one thinks about his fellow man. People are rude, self-absorbed, and inconsiderate. “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” (2 Timothy 3:2)

I was taught as a child that selfishness is not a desirable trait. I was taught to share and to be considerate of others and it never fails to surprise me that my fellow man does not play by the same rules. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phillipians 2:3-4)

I know the Bible teaches that we are to have self-control and to treat others well and, darn it, this is getting harder to do today, but we must remain in control when others are tempted to lose it. Life is not fair and people are going to be rude but God tells us that we are to be the light and salt of the world. Don’t lose your saltiness after a trip across town. Not only is God watching, but so our others, including our own children. My younger self was a terribly impatient and self-centered person and only God, time, and wisdom has given me the grace to remain calm with even the most difficult people.