Being Nice

“A lemon!” Mercy described the smart phone she bought on sale with her first paycheck.  It was only one-week old and already it went pffft—zero incoming calls. 

Naturally, she was livid, and prepared to demand an explanation from the store. Her mother cautioned her, “Hey, be nice. Just explain what the problem is. Remember, a scowl begets a scowl and a smile- ”   

“ - begets a smile,” Mercy replied. “Okay, Mom, they might do something nice in return.”   

“Mercy, being nice is not about getting something in return. It’s how children of God should behave.  You will just annoy people by being difficult.”    

Mercy reined in her temper at the store. She patiently explained to the salesman what had happened to her phone. 

“I am sorry, Ma’am, but . . .” 

“Please, let me talk to your manager . . .”  

Because Mercy was nice, the sales clerk called the manager. Again, Mercy patiently explained her problem.  

The manager said, “Thank you for being so gracious, Ma’am. I wish all customers were like you. Let me call the head office.”  

After the call, the manager said, “We’ll service your phone and give you a temporary phone to use meanwhile.”   

Mercy happily narrated to her Mom the favor she got from the manager.  

The attitude of Mercy epitomizes Ephesians 5:8-9 (NLT), “. . . once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” 

Colossians 4:6 is specific on what God’s people should do, “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” 

Under annoying circumstances, one needs enormous effort, an extra package of grace, to remain nice. But we need to keep trying and behave as as people of light.