why ask why

A week or so back, I found myself within an interesting experience at my work.  I cannot say it was anything all that unique, as I am certain everyone goes through these type of experiences in their work, or even especially, their relational environments.  My reasoning for mentioning my particular experience is my own reaction to it.

What occurred was simple.  I was part of the closing crew for the evening, as is the customary practice for my workdays; and in addition to myself were a collection of high school boys who found employment in the same work as I did myself.  I always enjoyed working with these fellows, as it appeared they were consistently hardworking and responsible, taking seriously the tasks of the job.  Such was my experience with them in the past, and such is what I anticipated seeing that particular day.  In fact, since most of the work of the had been already accomplished, and we were beginning to start on the tasks for the following day, I was expecting our combined effort to set the morning crew for the next day in excellent condition.  They would not be rushed to finish work awaiting them when they arrived at six in the morning, as we would have finished most of the orders the preceding night, the night of which I am referencing.

Well, only a few hours into the shift, I am told by one of the teenage boys they had been given permission by one of the managers, since all the work for that day had been finished, to leave early so as to study for final tests at their school.  It was the end of a semester, and finals were an apparent reality (though I must admit, thinking back to my own high school days, I could not recall "finals" being part of my own high school experience - only that of my college time).

This did not set well with me.  I found irritated and upset at their departure - and, frankly, I do not know why.  Of a fact, I could say, it emanated from the disappointment stirring from the expectations that would not be met now; but that explanation seems a bit too shallow.  These boys, though indeed boys, were more mature and responsible than I could claim for myself at the same age.  Their studies should come before any such work commitment, especially when that work commitment had been fulfilled.

So why did this action bother me so?  A few weeks after the event, it still perplexes me why I became so vexed.  Why do we become upset?  Why do we rejoice?  Why do we weep?  Why do we laugh?  There are certain songs I hear which cause me to weep.  There are a few television programs which cause me to laugh.  There was a time when my mother and my father would anger me so.  Why?  Is this evidence of activity going on beyond our physical senses?  Is there an unseen spiritual realm which affects the affairs of man, both to his welfare and to his demise?  

I believe firmly in an unseen world, where actions take place to affect the directions we take; but I am not ready to acquiesce to the myth0s of a devil on my shoulder pushing me along the path of unrighteousness and hardship.  It seems for good or for ill, many of those decisions lie within our own grasp.  My example in my workplace - I could easily have allowed myself to dwell in the disappointment of my coworkers leaving early, allowing that discontent to fester into outright rage, showing to everyone else an unstable and irrational person who should be avoided and rebuffed at all costs; or I could quiet my soul and continue on with my own work, acknowledging fully the affairs of only myself could I control.  What others chose to do, or not to do, lied not within my grasp to ordain.  They each must decide for themselves how they are to respond to their steady supply of multi-pronged forks in the road of this life's travels.