Nov. 8, 2006
"I'm Sorry", she said.
Last night I had the opportunity of attending an event where there were some great speakers talking about homeschooling.
A couple of friends from my old "neighborhood" where there, which was fun. I was hoping I'd get to see them. One of them introduced me to some friends she had met through blogging.
One of the ladies to whom she introduced me has a similar church background in common. She asked me where I attend church, and when I told her, she said, "I'm sorry." I think (I HOPE!) she was joking. I don't know if she has ever attended that local congregation. I am fairly sure she knows others who attend that particular local body. Her comment (even though I thought she was probably trying to be funny) left me so speechless that I couldn't respond.
What she doesn't know is that for 3 1/2 years we drove 50 minutes each way 3 (or more) times a week to attend that church. What she doesn't know is that by God's providence we have just 2 months ago been able to move closer to this particular body of believers.
What she doesn't know is that the eldership of the church we attended for years before making the change was hostile to our bi-racial foster child (finally adopted this year). What she may not know is that the church we are now attending has several bi-racial families, trans-racial families and adoptive families so our family is more "accepted". What she doesn't know is that many of the churches we have attended in the past are suspicious of people with an education (my husband has a Ph.D). This church has other people with advanced degrees. What she doesn't know is that for the first time since moving to TN 9.5 years ago, my son has friends at church.
Hopefully, she was trying to be funny, but it seemed to me to be similar to a situation where someone asks what my husband does for a living, and when told he is a college librarian, they respond, "I'm sorry." Or if I happened to be introduced to someone and when asked who my husband is they responded with, "I'm sorry".
What I WISH I had said, was, "On the contrary, God showed us that this was where we needed to be." Or, "Really, you're sorry that God has blessed us with a congregation that fits our family needs so well?" I don't know where she attends church... but I'm NOT sorry she is there. I pray that God will use her to bless others and be blessed by those around her.
A couple of friends from my old "neighborhood" where there, which was fun. I was hoping I'd get to see them. One of them introduced me to some friends she had met through blogging.
One of the ladies to whom she introduced me has a similar church background in common. She asked me where I attend church, and when I told her, she said, "I'm sorry." I think (I HOPE!) she was joking. I don't know if she has ever attended that local congregation. I am fairly sure she knows others who attend that particular local body. Her comment (even though I thought she was probably trying to be funny) left me so speechless that I couldn't respond.
What she doesn't know is that for 3 1/2 years we drove 50 minutes each way 3 (or more) times a week to attend that church. What she doesn't know is that by God's providence we have just 2 months ago been able to move closer to this particular body of believers.
What she doesn't know is that the eldership of the church we attended for years before making the change was hostile to our bi-racial foster child (finally adopted this year). What she may not know is that the church we are now attending has several bi-racial families, trans-racial families and adoptive families so our family is more "accepted". What she doesn't know is that many of the churches we have attended in the past are suspicious of people with an education (my husband has a Ph.D). This church has other people with advanced degrees. What she doesn't know is that for the first time since moving to TN 9.5 years ago, my son has friends at church.
Hopefully, she was trying to be funny, but it seemed to me to be similar to a situation where someone asks what my husband does for a living, and when told he is a college librarian, they respond, "I'm sorry." Or if I happened to be introduced to someone and when asked who my husband is they responded with, "I'm sorry".
What I WISH I had said, was, "On the contrary, God showed us that this was where we needed to be." Or, "Really, you're sorry that God has blessed us with a congregation that fits our family needs so well?" I don't know where she attends church... but I'm NOT sorry she is there. I pray that God will use her to bless others and be blessed by those around her.
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Posted by OurHomeSweetHomeschool
Posted by SweetHomeTennessee
Posted by abcemom
Comments
Nov. 8, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by OurHomeSweetHomeschool My only comment is how rude... even if she was trying to be funny that is very distasteful to something like that about a body of believers. :(
Nov. 9, 2006 - oh, so sorry
Posted by SweetHomeTennessee That was me! I so apologize! I did mean to be funny, as most people that live near me attend that same church and it's just a running joke around here. I'm so embarrassed that I didn't respond in a more thoughtful manner. I have been to your church and I dearly love the people that I know who attend there. I greatly admire your minister and other church workers. I'm so glad you have found a home near your church and that you are happy and accepted there. Please accept my apology and know that I did not mean anything by it. I will try to 'tame my tongue' more in the future.
~Betsy
~Betsy
Nov. 9, 2006 - Thanks for explaining
Posted by abcemom I wish you had finished your sentence... to say that you were sorry I didn't attend your church!
I'm sorry that I misunderstood you.
Thanks, Anna
I'm sorry that I misunderstood you.
Thanks, Anna