When You Spill the Coffee

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It was at Bush Stadium, late September 2017. Cubs shortstop Addison Russell comes flying down the third baseline after a high foul ball and launches himself into the seats.

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He misses the catch, but obliterates a Cardinals fan's nachos. Cheese everywhere. The fan just stares at his empty tray, Russell's jersey and arm is dripping yellow, and the whole section groans. Now what?

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We'll come back to that in a minute. Hey friends, welcome back to Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. I'm Bart LeGer, and today we're talking about those everyday moments that go sideways. When something small but messy happens, and you have a split second to decide how you'll respond, we'll see how a gentle answer, even in life's little disasters, can change the whole outcome. Today's verse is Proverbs 15, 1. A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words makes tempers flare. If there's one verse that belongs on a sticky note next to the coffee maker, it's this one. Because whether it's a fender bender, a spill drink, or someone snapping at you in line, your reaction is the hinge that swings the whole moment towards peace or toward chaos. Most of us have a default reaction when something goes wrong, especially if it's inconvenient or messy or embarrassing. And let's be honest, our default usually isn't gentleness. It's irritation or frustration most of the time for me. Maybe even a little sarcasm. And for me, that's quite a lot. But here's the thing. Proverbs isn't just telling us to be polite. It's pointing to the power of a gentle answer to change the outcome. Harsh words tend to multiply the tension. They put people on the defense. They create a cycle where each reaction will tend to escalate the moment. A gentle answer, on the other hand, diffuses the pressure. It creates breathing room for everyone involved. It signals, I'm not here to fight.

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I'm here to work through this.

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And that's true whether it's with a stranger at the grocery store, your co-worker, or someone in your own home. The truth is, and I can't control every mess that lands in our laps, but we can control our tone and our words and the posture of our heart. And when we do, we reflect the grace God has shown us through Jesus Christ. Between innings, Russell walks back up to the third base wall, not with a glove, but with a fresh tray of nachos. He apologizes, hands them to the fan, Andrew Goodermuth, and the two snap a smiling selfie. The cardinal staff even comped the section. A little mess turned into a little moment of grace because someone chose kindness instead of defensiveness. So here's my challenge to you today.

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The next time life spills something on you, literally or figuratively, pause before you react What response would reflect God's grace in this moment? Lord, we know our words have power. Help us to slow down when we're frustrated and to answer with gentleness and to always choose grace over irritation. And make our tone and our actions a reflection of the way you treat us. In Jesus' name, amen. Thanks for joining me today on Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. Remember, when messes happen, grace is always an option. Come back next time for more encouragement to help you live grounded in God's truth.

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Until then, God bless and have a great day.