SIZE-TEN SMILE
I've been told that I have a nice smile. I think that's the case only because my smile has been stretched considerably over the years by my size ten shoe.
Have you ever put your foot in your mouth? Have you ever regretted something you've said, or repeated, or thought? Chances are that if you've been breathing more than a year or two, you are nodding your head in affirmation and humiliation right about now. Who hasn't said something about someone only to turn around and have that person frosting up their glasses?
I can think of a few teachers that I just happen to flatter with the fine art of mimicry while unknowingly in their presence. It's funny how flattery is in the eyes of the beholder and not the beholdee.
Did you ever have a father or mother rightfully utter these piercing words in response to something you utter not quite far enough under your breath: "What did you say to me!?"? Ah the joys of careless words.
I remember very early in my first ministry on Prince Edward Island when I just happened to mention from the pulpit that a particular gray-haired old lady looked fine with her shiny new hairdo. I should have noticed by the red shade of her face that I had cross over some imaginary line in public speaking etiquette, but somehow I missed it. I guess my powers of perception need recharging! Still, the point was clearly communicated to me after the service! Some people just don't like to be complimented, I guess! I have since learned that when it comes to words, less can be more and more can be much, much less.
What I have to share with you today has nothing to do with me and my proclivity toward run-on tongue. This time it is someone else who lost their shoe, or in this instance, their keyboard.
Pastor Sam and his wonderful wife Sally (not their real names) have a ministry in an undisclosed church somewhere in North America. It seems that a week or two ago Sam got a really encouraging e-mail from some first time visitors to their undisclosed church. The e-mail praised the power of his preaching and the warmth of the congregation. Pastor Sam could not contain himself (he rarely can) so he sent the e-mail on to his lovely wife, you know, to encourage her as well. Now here is where the story gets interesting.
Sally wrote back to Sam trying to figure out who the couple may have been. She wrote something almost identical to this: "Hi dear, is that the couple where the husband was short, bald and dumpy-looking and the wife looked like so-and-so?" Now, please note, that there was not even the minutest shred of malice in that description. She was just trying to place the couple in her mind and she chose some familiar words meant only for her husband's eyes. Unfortunately, rather than sending her reply only to her husband, she also sent it to the short, bald, dumpy looking guy as well.
Praise God that the man understood the spirit in which the e-mail was written and he was also a Christian full of grace and mercy. He replied something to the effect that while he had never quite considered himself deserving of such a description, he nevertheless could see how someone else might use those words! All is forgiven and they are still sheep in Sam's fold.
Now I share this story with you, not only to entertain, but to also inform. What happened to Sally could very well happen to you. Not only do we have to worry about our real shoes being planted with tongue-in-cheek, we also now have to worry about our cybershoes as well. I, for one, have had an anxious moment or two as I have had to scan my sent box to make sure I sent what I sent to the right person. Has that ever happened to you?
Often we are told that technology is our great friend and helper. Technology is here to save us time and make us look good. I suggest to you that while technology is useful, it is also dangerous. Technology may empower us, but it also gives us new ways to screw up! At one point in our history we thought technology would rid the world of all its evils. Now we understand that technology can be used for good or bad. You see, while technology keeps improving, the human heart doesn't, it stays the same. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23).
Technology won't save us, but I do know Who can! The technology of the cross may be two thousand years old, but, believe me; it will never be improved upon!
If you have any questions, stories, or comments, click on my name and e-mail me, I promise to write back, unless I send it to someone else by accident!
