Washing My Mouth | Devotion

A senior real estate manager called me into her office for correction. Little did I realize I was about to fall down a slippery slope. She influenced me with her superior title and position. And so, I followed her authority.

“Christine, you are being too soft and too nice. I want you to call your agents on a group message. And I want you to yell at them for underperforming. You need to use cuss words. Get mean and get mad.”

My cheerful chin fell lower on my face. I was at the crossroad of disappointment. Would I disappoint my boss or my agents?

“And, Christine, when you make that call, I want you to copy me on the message. And send a copy of your message to the owner of the brokerage. Do it today or you will lose your job tomorrow.”

Obedient to her demands and motivated to keep my job, I made that call. On a group message with 250 real estate agents, I cussed them out for not meeting expectations. I used words that were washed out of my mouth with Irish Spring Soap when I was a child. This was acceptable for adults in leadership.

The next day, one of the real estate agents walked into my office and closed the door. He was a retired police officer and old enough to be my dad. “Christine, we all talked about that call you made. We know it was not your true voice or even your words. We think (name of the boss) told you to make that call and to cuss at us. And we are disappointed that your character is changing because of her.”

He was correct in his assumption. And thankfully, he called me out. Disgusted with my character transformation under the leadership of my boss, I quit my role as a real estate manager. I found comfort in being myself and standing on firm ground. Shaking off people’s approval, I discovered it was okay to be myself. Made in the image of Christ.

BIBLE STUDY

“If we are going to hold a seed in our hand…make sure it will be one that will bear much fruit, fruit that will last.” -Kelly Minter, Nehemiah Bible Study

TODAY’S VERSE

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

LIVING FOR TODAY

I am living for today when I seek to please God, not man. People can never be satisfied no matter how hard I work to fit into their box. It’s my choice today to allow the character of Christ to reflect in me. Wherever I walk and whatever I say, may my words magnify the One who is my love. May His Word always be upon my lips.

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Christine Abraham writes for the Bible Cafe™ community. Learn about living by the Fruit of the Spirit as you enjoy her online Bible studies. Join Christine at the Bible Cafe™ University for weekly Bible teaching.