But I learned some valuable things while on that crazy schedule. Our work location was the intersection of Broadway and Depot, just a block or so from KARM. My workmates and I were approached all day and night by the people, some homeless, some druggies, some who just had hard luck, who frequent the area. You wouldn't believe the things you can learn from them. And the things they will offer you for a single beer.
For instance, if you're in the market for a nice, hardly used lock-blade knife, I can introduce you to a guy. If you need a brand spanking new wrist watch, I have several contacts (after declining one offer, he asked me if I knew what time it was. Not even kidding). If it's sex you're after, well let's just say there are options, and I mean any variation you can think of and some you've probably never even heard of. If I were a smoker, I would be the most popular person in the neighborhood, based on the number of people who asked for a cigarette. I now know the complete daily schedule for the KAT buses, and I know Darryl, the guy who drives the city street sweeper truck, well enough to high-five him each night at 11:07 when he rolls by.
Life is truly like a box of chocolates.
Now, on to something more important and much more painful (for me). It's confession time again. I say again because it seems I do it a lot.
Some of you have had to listen to "someone" over the past couple of months rant and rave and rail about a certain new pastor who was hired at a certain church that a certain, as well as dashingly handsome, blogger attends. I, I mean "he", fussed and griped, complained and whined about everything from his salary to his haircut, or lack thereof.
What I'm getting at is that I've been a very poor example, unless the example you're looking for is that of "most divisive and strife-causing church member," in which case I'm awesome! I really have ran my mouth a lot about someone that I'd never even met, and all because of, well, I really don't know why. Maybe I'm just good at being a jerk.
But on Sunday morning, about five minutes into Rev. Johnson's sermon, I started feeling something. Not sure what it was, but it was something. So I began to pay close attention to the something as I listened to what the pastor had to say. It wasn't long before I found myself agreeing with his points. Then the something got really loud. And my face got really hot. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. My next thought was...
"Oh, great. Now I'm starting to like the guy."
No joking. Right there in my choir seat, I felt my heart and attitude flip-flop instantly toward our new pastor. So I hung on every word for the rest of the sermon and realized how much I liked his vision for our church and how much I agree with what he believes God wants to do here.
God. God is big. Huge. Powerful. And...gentle enough to turn a small, cold heart around without so much as breeze blowing. God is really something.
So I apologize to those of you who may have had to listen to my bad attitude. I have no excuse other than just naturally being a _______. You can choose your own word.
And I'm really, really glad that God doesn't let me make His decisions for Him.
