Recently, I’ve had two experiences where I’ve had to contemplate if I’d share my current “job” as vicar with a stranger. The first time it happened, I decidedly wasn’t in the mood to go into my story, but I wasn’t prepared to lie. So what was a highly anticipated hair cut, pamper session became part confessional, part educational. I was horrified to hear her ask “Well, what’s the difference between Lutherans and Catholics” and then equally horrified to hear myself answer. I just wanted a hair cut.
I must say this about my ability to lie. I’m terrible at it. I am not being noble or pious or naive. Even trying to plan ahead to lie is a stretch for me. A good example of this is when we were planning a surprise birthday party for my friend, Brian, at the end of August. His wife, Natalie, and I were going to meet to “do yoga” and instead, make a cake and do some other fun planning for his birthday. (This was also the same party as the Vicarpalooza. It was awesome.) Anyway, as I remarked to Natalie how hard it is for me to lie, she said “Well, if Brian asks how yoga was, you just tell him fine. It’s no big deal.” She was right. And Brian never asks about yoga. I mean, why would he?
Yet today, I found myself in another situation where someone was politely inquiring as to who I was, what I did. Again, unprepared to say something believeable. (I’ve been a camp director! I could just say that! What happens to my brain!?) Oh well. This particular person, upon hearing my truth revealed (I am learning to be a pastor) said “but don’t you doubt your faith sometimes?”
I ended up having the most sincere faith talk with this perfect stranger as I said “of course I doubt. that’s part of faith.” We didn’t talk at length, but what she did have to say was thoughtful, faithful, and sincere. And she talked more than me.
Another fun thing is that I preached on doubt tonight for Wednesday night church night. That conversation ended up opening a few more possibilties for preaching just a few hours later.
Don’t you just love the Holy Spirit?
P.S– can anyone name who said the (partial) quote that is the title of this post?
