I Corinthians 13 – Love Is Not Easily Angered
Ron continues his love series from I Corinthians 13 with a post entitled, “Love is Not Easily Angered.” This time, the fictional Tom and Frank talk about working and being angry.
Love For The Job
The screen door snapped shut behind the two men, keeping at least some insects out of the Summer Daze Trailer Park and Campground office. They took colas from the refrigerator behind the counter, then leaned on it as they talked.
Frank spoke first. “You think you’ll be able to handle this, now that you’ve tramped around with me for three days?”
Tom laughed “I think I can handle the work for a couple of weeks, but I doubt I’ll be able to do it the way you do.”
Frank’s brow furrowed, “Oh?”
“I can do the job but I don’t have the love you do.”
“Love? For what?” asked Frank.
“Love for the job, for the people, even for the challenges,” explained Tom.
Summer Heat
Frank thought for a moment. “I suppose if you mean that I enjoy the job, like the people, and relish the challenges then, yeah, I guess I love it here.”
One of the flies which had been buzzing noisily by the window dive bombed Tom. “You are going to have the air conditioning fixed by the time you leave. Right?”
“Oh yeah, it’ll be nice and cool before you take over. You’ll be able to close the doors and windows to keep the bugs out.”
Tom grimaced. “That’s good, those thing drive me nuts and, besides, it’s sweltering in here. I don’t know how you stand the heat.”
“Heat’s just part of summer,” said Frank.
“Any chance you can guarantee that I won’t have to deal with any septic issues? The one that we saw on Wednesday grossed me out.”
“I can’t guarantee anything but surprises, but I don’t think the little Wilson boy will be putting a hair brush down the toilet again anytime soon.” Frank laughed at the memory.
“That kinda stuff doesn’t tick you off, Frank?”
Toilet Troubles
Frank stifled his mirth. “Parents can’t be on top of little kids all the time. I’ve pulled worse things than hairbrushes out of a toilet.”
“I don’t want to hear about it,” interrupted Tom.
“Don’t worry. I’ll try to leave everything ship-shape when I head out. I really appreciate you giving me a break. I don’t usually take time off in the summer, but I can’t miss my daughter’s wedding.
“It’s not a problem,” said Tom. “I’m glad to help you out. Maybe these two weeks will slow me down.”
“What do you mean by that?” asked Frank.
“I’m just thinking about all the butterflies, worms, frogs, rocks, and sticks we had to inspect. It seems like every little kid on the place has something to show you.”
Frank’s ready smile reappeared. “They are cute, aren’t they? Yeah, I love them alright. Kids need somebody to be interested in the things they care about.”
“I’ll try, but you’ve set a pretty high standard.”
After taking a gulp of his cola Tom continued. “Cute kids are one thing. Cranky adults are another. I was about ready to take a swing at Ted Daniels when he came in here red in the face and yelling about the garbage. Yet within 15 minutes he was acting like he was your best friend.
“Ted Daniels is my friend. Just because he was angry doesn’t mean I should get angry. You’d be surprised at how well people respond to a cold drink on a hot day and a chance to say their piece.”
Love Is Not Easily Angered
“And speaking of garbage, which he was,” said Tom, “what do you want me to do about that next week.”
Frank grimaced. “It is a stinking problem to be sure, in this humidity and heat. I guess we’ll just have to run a trip to the dump every day until things cool off. It’ll make your day a little longer, but it’ll keep the campers happier so it’s probably worth it.”
Tom looked incredulously at his friend.
“Stuff like extra trips to the dump doesn’t make you mad?”
“No.” said Frank. “What good would that do. My job is to make vacation time as smooth and simple as possible.”
“So what would it take to get you really angry?”
Frank laughed. “Well,” he said, “I can’t answer that question for the simple reason that nothing that’s happened here in five years has done that. So whatever it might be, I wouldn’t know.”
“Maybe it has something to do with how you feel about the place and the people,” said Tom. “They say that love isn’t easily angered.”
In this series, Ron breaks down I Corinthians 13:4-7 into easily segments by using a selection of “love” themed short stories.
Are you easily angered? Contact us at HopeStreamRadio, or comment below.
Ron Hughes
Ron Hughes is the former President of FBH International He developed his interest in technology and mass communications during his highschool years in Peterborough, Ontario.
He received a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson University where he graduated as the program’s “outstanding graduate.” He gained experience working in both commercial and cultural radio stations in Southern Ontario as well as engaging in freelance production.
In 1983, he and his wife, Debbie, moved to Ecuador where they served as missionaries for 10 years. There, Ron produced radio specials and numerous music albums as well as several videos. Some of these videos were the first ever produced in Ecuador’s major indigenous languages. In 1993, the Hughes family returned to Canada at the invitation of FBH International (then Family Bible Hour) and oversaw the ministry for many years. Ron retired in 2021.
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Love is Not Easily Angered – Keramark Solutions
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