Open Minded

So, I ordered something from an usual source online. It seemed reputable and I felt comfortable using my PayPal account to pay for them. And I did receive…something. And it was similar, it was simply a quarter of the size promised. And since I’m not willing to just let things go sometimes, I emailed the company.
They were quick to reply and asked for some more details and some pictures. They were apologetic and attempted to resolve the situation by offering me 10% off my next order. I knew I wouldn’t be ordering from them again and asked for my money back or to send me the correct item. They then offered me $3 refund for my $40 order, which was worse than 10% off! So they offered me $5 dollars. I then offered to send it back and get a full refund. They agreed, but the cost to return ended up being over $17.00. I decided to return to the negotiating table and ask for $17.50 of my cost back. They offered $10. I said no. They offered $12. Um, no. Then $14 and finally they decided to give me the $17.50. And I was, mostly, satisfied with the outcome.
So, why do I share this? Because sometimes in life we don’t get what we expect. In fact, often times we don’t get what we expect. We assume things will go a certain way or we’ll get what we ordered and it doesn’t come out right. I mean all of us have probably been to a restaurant where we didn’t get quite what we ordered. Or our kids don’t get the room quite clean. Or our coworker doesn’t get done what we thought they would.
And so what do we do about that? I think there’s several answers to that question, but I think it’s important for us to consider why we have those expectations in the first place.
When Jesus was walking on this earth, his closest followers had an expectation that he would lead a revolution to overthrow the governing body of Rome so that his people could be their own nation again. And his revolutionary words helped that expectation along. However, his follower’s expectation of a physical fight where Jesus would lead them into battle wasn’t Jesus’ plan.
But when they realized (very slowly) that wasn’t what Jesus came to do, they adapted. And, I believe, the only reason they adapted is because they opened their minds to alternate opportunities. And that was the difference between the religious leaders of Jesus’ day (who hung him on a cross) and his followers (who ultimately died for him): the followers were open minded enough to go a different path. So I pray that we might be opened minded enough to allow God to go down a different path and adapt to his ways. God bless.