Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt

“I wish you had told me,” I said. “I’ve been through a lot oftrouble, taking all the large rocks and stones I could find to buildup this rockery. It has cost me a lot of time and energy, and nowyou say you don’t like it.”“No,” she said firmly. “I’m not having a rockery. You can pull itall down and dispose of it. How much do I owe you?”“I’ve kept count, and I put in 88 hours at five shillings an hour,”I answered.“I’m not paying you that,” she objected.I reminded her, “You did agree.”“Yes,” she said, “but I didn’t know you would do all this with therockery. I don’t want it, and you can pull it down and put it backas it was.”“Look, Missus!” I said. “I’m sorry if you don’t like it. I did mybest. You owe me 88 hours at five shillings — but you can keepyour money! Good-bye!” And I walked out.I’m not justifying my attitude. I had yet to learn the lesson we allhave to learn — that we cannot be right in taking offense, eventhough somebody else wrongs us. I took offense. The Word ofGod says, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothingshall offend them.” (Ps 119:165) Clearly, not loving His law towhere I had His peace, I was offended by that woman. I neverwanted to see her again, and I didn’t.My attitude left me with an inheritance. I found the incident haddone something to my insides and it became more than uncomfortableas it developed into a very painful condition. God woulduse this to speak to me again about leaving the ministry in PaddockWood.137