A Delayed Reaction...

Well it was bound to have happened... I burned myself on the stove! It was just a couple of knuckles while getting biscuits out of the oven, but it was enough to make me even more cautious when working with 350 degrees. I was in such a rush to get the breakfast made that I did not even tend to my wounds until later.
As soon as this happened my mind went back to high school french class (kind of odd isn't it).  There I was sitting toward the front, three rows over from the window, in Mrs. Renfro's french class. Mr. Brown, our school maintenance man (this was just before his retirement) knocked on the door and entered. Mr. Brown was an older gentleman, large belly, balding with a wavy come-over that wasn't well combed, glasses, dressed in dark green coveralls, wearing work boots, and carrying his bag of tools. It's funny... I can recall Mr. Brown and what he was wearing, but I can't recall what season it was. It was either very hot or cold because that was why he was in the room.
Mr. Brown came to work on either the heating or cooling system in the room. As he made his way to the control panel of the system next to the window side of the room he spoke french with Mrs. Renfro, which impressed me. He sat on the floor and began his work, Mrs. Renfro continued to teach the class like he wasn't even there. I had almost forgotten that he was there too, when it happened...
ZAP! It was the sound of a rather large insect caught in a bug zapper. Everyone stopped what they were doing; silence filled the room. The stench of something burnt began to develop in the air. Mrs. Renfro turned and looked in the direction of the sound. All us students did the same. Mr. Brown did not offer a word and continued on with his work. It was only after Mrs. Renfro called the students back to task and was writing on the board did Mr. Brown offer any type reaction to go along with the noise and smell by saying, "OUCH!" It was this delayed reaction that caused the class (and Mrs. Renfro) to burst out in laughter. About that time the bell rang and class was dismissed.
Interestingly enough my devotional this morning dealt with allowing what's on the inside to show forth on the outside. And what is happening on the "inside"? We typically (at least for me) have no problem revealing frustration, irritation, agitation, aggravation... and all kind of other "tion's." What may not be so evident is the love. So often I have a delayed reaction in showing the love I should have shown earlier in a situation. Let it not be today!