Friday, April 06, 2007

The local newspaper has a section where churches can advertise their service times. It was in this section that a found an interesting article by a guest colomist. The article was entitled something to the effect of "don't let your blessing be a curse".

The author describes a recent trip to a gas station - he makes certain to note it was NOT a pay before you pump station. So on his arrival to said gas station he can't figure out why the pump won't work. Annoyed, he goes inside and inquires. The attendant responds that when she is on duty it is a pay first pump. He replies that there should be a sign to this effect on the pump. He returns to the pump and pumps his gas, but is again annoyed because the pump is going quite slow. He goes back in and complains about the situation. The attendant says "yeah, that pump has been slow for the last few days" so he feels the need to say "there should be a sign stating that on the pump".
He notes that the attendant is taking his complaints personally, and when she hands him back his change she looks at him and says "God bless you, sir". But he could tell that is not what she meant...and so he launches into a sermon about not using blessing to in fact curse someone. fair enough.
But...is it just me or did he completely miss the message of the story (his own story). It seems to me the man was being an ass, it would have been a great opportunity for him to extend some grace. Be humbled a bit by the attendants response. But in our self centered, me only world, I guess we shouldn't really be surprised ...

3 comments:

James Goudie said...

kind of off topic. i was listening to the radio station the guys at work had the radio on. i think it was Kiss fm or something. out of belingham in the states. anyway. they had a commercial come on quite often advertising easter as being about Jesus. and inviting people to church. I was quiet surprised really. I don't think i've ever heard a radio station (rock) play a church advertisement before. at least not from stations out of vancouver canada.

shari said...

I agree Cari. He totally missed the point of his own story.

liz said...

ummm....did mom just say ass? is this terry's doing?