Recently my son was participating in the area math Olympics for Christian schools in Tennessee. I tell you this because the story I am about to relay should seem even more interesting if you have that little tidbit of information.
So, the Olympics were about to get underway and I had decided to visit the little Olympians room to relieve myself before the events. Ok. So technically during the events parents just wait but work with me.
I am in a stall as are 2 other women. We are all in our own stalls and Woman A. says "I can't get that song about going down and yelling timber out of my head"!!! Loudly for all of us stall visitors to hear. So, I shoot back, at least it isn't that song from Frozen that is the one I can't stop singing. Well, what happened next is my stumper.
It got completely silent in the bathroom. Woman B walked out and started washing her hands, I walked out and started washing my hands and then came Woman A. She came out and said to Woman B. did you say that? Woman B very sheepishly shook her head No and glanced toward me. Woman A then scowled at me and shot off "I hope you know that was a private conversation". I want you to know I didn't return her venom I just laughed and said Ha! I will talk to anyone it is in my blood and left the bathroom.
Now. Come on. Was that seriously a private conversation? It isn't like they were discussing who the father was or whether or not she should go for the sex change surgery this was a general, everyone can relate bathroom conversation where no one can see each other's faces. If you are going to have a "private" conversation it is best to go some where private and a multi stall bathroom is not your best locale. Just because you bare your privates in there does not indeed make it private, understand?
Fast forward a day. A woman who is new to our church wants to ask several of the ladies in the church why it is that we don't attend classes on Wednesday night. She starts talking about how unfriendly and unwelcoming our church is. Hold up. Seriously? I have never thought of myself as such but I totally see her point. Mainly because I just experienced it first hand.
Rewind a few years. My children were invited to a birthday party where I knew NO ONE. NO ONE!!! I went into that situation thinking I would be fine because I would be wrangling my toddlers the whole time. Guess what. I was the only Christian in the bunch and do you want to know something? That was the most warm and welcoming party I had ever been to, and quite honestly have been to since. Everyone spoke to me, everyone helped me with my kids, offered me food or drink, took care of me and my children. It floored me. Not because they were nice to me and helpful but because I had been to my own church dinners toting the same two toddlers and I was always met with trying to figure out how to get their food, a high chair, sometimes a table and chairs all by myself. It never really bothered me because I am extremely independent until the woman visiting my church started asking questions that I genuinely had ever thought about it.
If the people from the potty are representing the Christian faith and the people from the party are non-Christians and I am someone who has never heard the word before it is seriously a no brainer for me. How sad is that?
We as Christians are called to Love. It is pretty simple. We are asked to get out of our comfortable spot and be kind to those around us. Not just other people like us but even the ones that make us uncomfortable. So, the next time you are in public, look around. Be intentional about including everyone. We are adults people. Bust up that clique you got going!!! Spread the love around.
