My husband was a pastor for many years. And as such, he has always attempted to hold his public image as close to clean and shiny as he possibly could. After all, when you are called to represent the Creator, to love and help His creations, you really don’t want to be known as the bad penny of the neighborhood.
But then, there came a day.
Andy made a very bad mistake while flying from Oklahoma to Maine one afternoon. He was seated next to a friendly inquiring young man, who wanted to hear about life as a believer in God. And of course, Andy was happy to oblige. So he spent several hours with his head turned sideways as they talked. Like I said – a really bad mistake. Resulting in Andy’s first experience with severe long-lasting vertigo – a sickening uncontrollable dizziness. His experience with it lasted about three months. With repeated trips to a physical therapist trained in repairing the damage in his ear. (Ever hear of free-roaming BBs let loose to excitedly explore parts of the ear previously unknown to them?)
After finally getting it basically under control, or so Andy thought, we decided to go for a short walk in our little community. Surely that would not over-tax his system. Wrong. Five blocks from home, his head was again suddenly attacked with a vicious sense of side-whirling, while also toppling over and over. He actually did look like he was dead drunk, as he weaved his way down the sidewalk toward our front door. With me hanging on to his waist and trying mightily to hold him on a straight and steady course. And not having much luck. At one point I had to help him up off the neighbor’s lawn where he had landed. Believe, me, that was a particularly fun thirty seconds in our journey back to the relative safety of his recliner.
I have no idea how many of our neighbors saw us that afternoon - stumbling and swerving our way back home – or what they chose to believe about that pastor who lives among them.
“Hey, Jimmy! Jimmy! Come watch that goody-two-shoes couple that lives down the street. Now we know the real truth! Coupla’ lushes all this time!”
Why am I boring you with this tale? To remind you; Many times, things are not always how they look. Actual facts matter a tremendous amount. So does your willingness to believe the worst about someone.
Also worth thinking about: Everyone else is also observing your life, and choosing to believe what they want to believe. No matter whether they have checked the story with you or not. I imagine you would appreciate those around you holding their tongue until they hear the truth from the horse’s mouth. Instead of choosing to believe the worst.
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