Cynicism Does Not Help

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Today’s reading: Colossians 3:12-17

A friend’s Facebook page this morning asks an interesting question that I’ve been wondering myself: why do the parking meters in our city now take credit cards?

I presume these fancy new machines were a public expense, and I can think of many other local needs more deserving of that money. So long as so many of our roads, sidewalks and public buildings remain in disrepair, I don’t see wisdom in installing high-end parking meters.

So I typed a cynical response to my friend’s question: “Some ‘consultant’ bought someone at city hall a couple of very tasty lunches.”

Then I turned to today’s reading:

“Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.” (Verses 13-15)

If I am to take Paul’s advice, cynicism is not an option. I must learn to think the best of all people.

That, of course, is difficult to do when greed, corruption, and other tools of the devil are so prominent in our world. But I must do it anyway.

So I am now off post on my friend’s facebook page a link to this article, which will end with this revised thought about the parking meters: I believe our city leaders had good intentions in installing the new parking meters, but I also believe that our city has more pressing priorities. The new parking meters will be a wonderful blessing to our city — once all streets, sidewalks and public buildings are finally in good repair. For now, though, I propose that they may be a burden that is hindering our potential.  It’s just the timing that’s off.  That’s all.

Yes, this response is not quite as entertaining as the other. But it’s the better one, for sure.

Thanks be to God for patience that comes from His love. May I (and we) learn to live it gracefully.