Visited a Christian acquaintance this afternoon. I was kindly invited for lunch so had to be on best behaviour.
The quid pro quo of the meal was to listen to an account of a short practical Christian visit to East Europe and see some photos.
Now this acquaintance is quite garrulous at the best of times and she now has had an impressive experience.
Well we listened non-stop (couldn't get a word in edgeways) over the meal and then my heart sank when I saw the photos. Three fat wallets - it was about 150 photos.
She never let go of each one until she'd explained the content, the people, the place, the activity.
I know - I should exercise grace.
But don't people understand how it is for the guest. It's the lack of empathy.
I remember another encounter where we were shown the same climbling frame on an activity holiday 40 - 50 times (from different angles) with a proud father commenting on the physical prowess of a favourite son.
Not once did he acknowledge that they were a bit 'samey'.
I've come to the conclusion that many Christians just long for a listening ear.
And holiday or other snaps are an opportunity to have a captive audience.
Visited a Christian acquaintance this afternoon. I was kindly invited for lunch so had to be on best behaviour.
The quid pro quo of the meal was to listen to an account of a short practical Christian visit to East Europe and see some photos.
Now this acquaintance is quite garrulous at the best of times and she now has had an impressive experience.
Well we listened non-stop (couldn't get a word in edgeways) over the meal and then my heart sank when I saw the photos. Three fat wallets - it was about 150 photos.
She never let go of each one until she'd explained the content, the people, the place, the activity.
I know - I should exercise grace.
But don't people understand how it is for the guest. It's the lack of empathy.
I remember another encounter where we were shown the same climbling frame on an activity holiday 40 - 50 times (from different angles) with a proud father commenting on the physical prowess of a favourite son.
Not once did he acknowledge that they were a bit 'samey'.
I've come to the conclusion that many Christians just long for a listening ear.
And holiday or other snaps are an opportunity to have a captive audience.
Is there a morally acceptable escape strategy?
Well, you could try, "I'm sorry, I didn't hear a thing you were saying about those pics. I was busy staring at your zoomers." Of course, that probably fails the "morally acceptable" test, but...
__________________ "I reject your reality and substitute my own." -- Mythbuster Adam Savage
"Logic: The art of being wrong with confidence." -- ComputerGear T-Shirt
"Well THAT was a slap and a tickle!" -- William the Bloody
Trouble was, she was too far away on a separate sofa. The photos came down the line! She wouldn't have believed me and if she did, she would have passed them around again!
Visited a Christian acquaintance this afternoon. I was kindly invited for lunch so had to be on best behaviour.
Is there a morally acceptable escape strategy?
Perhaps, "I'm in a bit of hurry but I would love to hear the editted highlights - would that be possible?"
__________________ Goodness is stronger than evil,
love is stronger than hate,
light is stronger than darkness,
life is stronger than death,
victory is ours through him who loved us.
(++Desmond Tutu)
Linear Mode
