Well now, THAT, was certainly a day...

I am glad yesterday is yesterday, and not today. And I'm glad yesterday started poorly but ended well, rather than the reverse.

I was out of sorts from the beginning. I've just had this nagging ..."restlessness" or something. Things were not well with my soul. I don't know if it had to do with all of us travelling, or pondering all I need to do, or what. Anyway, the first thing I did yesterday (as every day) was sit down at my 'outside-world monitor' (computer)... and I couldn't get an internet connection. I messed around for quite some time, and finally got it going, but it had already put a dent in my day. When I finally made it to the office I wrestled with my sermon a bit. I had wanted to vary the form this week, because it seems like I've been in a rut lately, and so I don't know that I don't like my sermon this week, but it's different. And that always leaves me with this tightrope sorta feeling. Nekkid. THEN I got a call from a pastor "friend." And... I don't really know how to put this into words, but lets just say I kinda came unglued. We have never agreed on too much, and he has rubbed me the wrong way many a time. Anyway, he started in on me about something and I just lost it. I finally told him what I'd wanted to tell him for a long time - that I thought he was full of sh**! I don't cuss often, but man the floodgates came open. He apologized for some things, and asked for forgiveness... and I couldn't give it. I'm sorry, but I wouldn't have meant it. I was madder than I have been in quite some time. I'm sure I will come around one of these days, but yesterday was not the day. The conversation started bad and ended worse. So THEN I put in ANOTHER call to this church that I was told I was to contact about using for a wedding. The couple had already talked to them, and supposedly the pastor wanted to talk with me. But every time I called everybody said they had no idea what I was talking about; and the secretary, quite honestly, was a bitch about the whole thing. So, in the afternoon I had to take Jane to the doctor (for several things - which will now require two more visits to two different specialists) and while waiting in the doctors office I called again and was finally able to talk to the Senior Pastor (I was given a 15 minute window to call and talk with him - how generous). At any rate, it was another one of those, "We have a policy and simply cannot allow people to use our building who do not attend our church. If we did, someone would always be wanting to use it." Wow, so, like, God forbid the church be there to serve people or anything. We wouldn't want our buildings to be used more than one day a week! Plus... it's also a great way for the bigger churches to get people to leave smaller churches: "If you want to utilize our resources, you need to start attending OUR church." Anyway, I was able to keep my personal comments to myself, but I was pretty upset. *Sidenote: You know, I never knew how hard it was to find a church to hold a wedding in. I have never experienced such rivalrous attitudes anywhere in my life. Personally, I am ashamed to call myself a Christian around these parts. And... it's no wonder people were so freaked out that we wanted to build a park/pavilion and allow people to use it FOR FREE! Geez, I just never knew it was such a novelty to have a church group who wanted to SHARE their blessings, and SERVE the community.

Well, this is where my day started to turn around though. I had to stop back at the office, and someone had left a message - just to tell me how much they appreciated this Lenten study that we're doing on Wednesday nights. It's amazing how a 1-minute message can change a day. I almost cried. Then we went to a Verizon store, and there was no line, and the person working there was super nice. He was just a young guy - about the age of my kids. Why is it that a Verizon employee is so much nicer than a church employee??? The night was topped off by going next door to Casa. Carrie was working, and we walked in, said we would like to sit in Carrie's section, and were told that a table had been reserved for us. This is the second time in a row we've walked in and been seated immediately - in front of several others who were waiting. It feels a little awkward, but I have to say, it is just real nice to be treated well. And, of course, our service was the best ever. Our daughter is one fine waitress if I do say so myself. So the evening ended with a diet Coke, Casa salad, and ravioli.

And today is a new day. I have to say though... I am disappointed; distraught; discouraged... After trying to defend the church last week, it seems I've been bombared this week with nothing but negatives. We watched "Andy Barker P.I." (or whatever it's called - it has Andy Rikter in it) last night, and the video store guy instructs Andy: "Just don't park in front of the Christian bookstore, or they'll tow your car." That seemed to perfectly describe it all. Everybody else is forgiving and easy to get along with... except those dern Christians. Man... I wish that wasn't so. I wish it wasn't so. (sigh)