Marcus Redding Loses His Temper

Marcus hollered to his co-worker on the forklift, “Steve, can you bring out another pallet of peanuts?” Steve nodded and brought out a full pallet from the back. Marcus stacked three big boxes on the dolly and wheeled them to the truck. He didn’t see Steve nod to two other guys who were already hiding inside the truck. While Marcus was bent over loading the boxes, they jumped up and sprayed Marcus with silly string. Surprised, Marcus jumped up and banged his head hard on one of the shelves in the truck. It almost knocked him out. He was dizzy and seeing stars and a goose egg was coming up just at the top of his forehead. Corey walked up to him and said, “Oh, man I’m sorry.” Marcus reacted. He lunged at Corey and shoved him, calling him a bad name. Steve pulled Marcus back, “Whoa, whoa, whoa…it was just a joke…cool down.” Marcus jerked himself away and walked off. Corey went to the office and made Marcus an ice pack. He came out and found Marcus sitting on a stack of boxes in a corner. Again, he told Marcus he was sorry. Marcus just took the ice pack and looked away.

When Lauren got home he was lying on the couch with a fresh ice pack on his forehead. “Marcus Redding what happened to you?!” Marcus didn’t say anything at first. She sat down on the other end of the couch and spoke to him again, more gently this time, “Marcus, what happened?” He took off the ice pack. She raised her eyebrows. After a while he explained. Now it was Lauren’s turn not to say anything. The room was quiet for a minute or two. Marcus broke the silence, “I overreacted…I’m embarrassed…what is that scripture you told me about last week…from James…quick to listen…slow to speak…” Lauren helped him out, “Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.” “Yeah, that one,” Marcus sighed, “And I’m supposed to be a Christian…a good example.” Lauren put her hand on his leg, “Just apologize tomorrow…first thing…and move on.” Marcus nodded and laid the ice pack back on his head. He prayed silently and confessed the sin of losing his temper.

Corey came in the door at 7:55 and Marcus was right there to meet him. “I’m sorry, Corey. I overreacted. Sorry. Let me buy you lunch today.” He held out his hand. Corey didn’t hesitate. He shook Marcus’s hand, “That’s all right man. That’s all right. You banging your head was my fault. Are you all right?” Marcus waved his hand, “I’m fine. Let me take you to El Lugar for lunch.” “You don’t have to do that,” Corey protested. Marcus turned and grabbed a dolly and said over his shoulder, “Twelve o’clock, El Lugar.”

Over the loud music and lunchtime conversation, they ordered their quesadillas and found a seat. They talked about sports and work as they waited for their food. The girl called for #47 and Marcus went up to the counter. But right as Marcus was about to turn in his number and pick up the tray, a teenage kid came up and grabbed their food and started to take it to another seat. Marcus said, “I think you got my food there buddy.” The kid looked at Marcus, then walked right by him and set the two plates on his own table. Marcus was more puzzled than upset. He went over to the guy and said again, “I think you got my food.” This time the kid ignored him. Now Marcus was upset. He was about to raise his voice when he remembered Lauren’s voice, “slow to speak, slow to anger.” So before he made a fool of himself for the second time in two days he turned around and went back to the counter, showing the girl the receipt, and the plastic #47 she gave him. The girl smiled and said she would take care of it.

Marcus followed her back to the kid’s table. When they got there, the kid was using sign language.

More about Marcus Redding’s journey of faith next week.