Love is... hard!

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with the Lord's people who are in need.
Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:
     "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
     "If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
       if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
       In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
      - Romans 12:9-21

The waitrii crew is having a tough time working together. I can't quite pinpoint the exact reason for it... there are many little things, I guess, that are like sharp pebbles in our boots... pricking us as we walk around doing our jobs. We've said in our group devotional times that we all have different personalities, and we have to do better at giving each other grace... but there's a great leap from saying these things, to actually doing them. I am having a tough time being patient, and today was especially tough, as I had to babysit instead of having my usual morning break... and going into lunch, was exhausted. Of the five of us, two are sick, so our crew was getting slammed from all sides... and those that were feeling alright, quickly tired at having to pick up the slack.

When we're trying to keep our hours down and rushing through our tasks, communication becomes so important, which I'm learning to be better at. First of all, we have to communicate to let each other know what's being done, and what still needs to be done. But with all of the stress and hustle, our tone becomes sharper, our expressions less cheerful, and frustrations build. I always thought of myself as an efficient machine, able to give and take orders in a business-like, matter-of-fact way... but I'm slowly realizing that I prefer pleasant tones, hearing and speaking a "please" and "thank you" once in a while. Now that I'm working with people who are MORE brusque than I am, I have to admit that it is NOT a pleasant experience being on the receiving end! I regret all the the times I've been rude because I couldn't take the time to check my tone and my manners while in the midst of finishing something "more important". I also realize that I've been blessed to work for and with really laid-back, awesome people. People that give me grace when I forget things, people that take the time to be friendly and helpful so that it is easy for me to reflect that attitude. I've forgotten a bit of that here, but I realize that it's something that I value, and I want to be that way here as well, even if those around me aren't. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Oh, God, help me to be loving, even when those around me aren't! Give me the strength to love, love, love, because I don't have enough love on my own!