Warning: This is being posted from Las Vegas, so the content may startle you. For instance, I picked up a strange man today. He and I were both stranded by an out-of-order elevator that leads to the monorail, and he was in a hurry to get to an important meeting. Since I've been traveling via monorail to meet Mel for lunch every day at his conference, I got a little full of myself and decided I could show the man the way to the station from inside MGM Grand. So I got us both lost--casinos are NOT set up well. You'd think those people intentionally designed those buildings with the the intention of getting you lost...so you'd gamble. Or eat. Or shop. Or get drunk. Or ogle the scantily clad beautiful people.
Anyway, I think this poor man I picked up began to get suspicious of my motives when we went down the same stairway twice. I promised him I knew kind of where the station was, but he excused himself to go to the bathroom. I was, of course, still at the boarding area when he arrived--his first time on the monorail, first time on the Vegas Strip, and here's this woman old enough to be his mother's younger sister stalking him. On the train, he talked a lot about his wife. I think he wiped the sweat off his brow when I actually did get off before he did.
I also cried over a different man today. This man was walking along the crowded street in the hot sun with lots of clothes on. His skin was black, but he was not African American or from India. He was probably in his early thirties, and had blue eyes and European-American features. Those eyes were filled with bewilderment, and his skin was either baked by the sun, or caked in dirt, or a little of both. It's impossible to walk the Vegas strip and miss seeing the homeless--or the photos of naked young women strewn on the sidewalk. I've been doing research about the homeless, so this is a subject close to my heart. It hit me hard, and I started to cry. Yeah, right there on the crowded street. My second most embarrassing moment of the day. I got some strange looks, but I couldn't stop crying. And then, of course, I began to think about the situation of the homeless, and looked at the people I was passing. They're just as lost. Okay, not all of them, I'm sure. I mean, I was there, right? Lots of Christians go to Vegas. In fact, in years past, our Southern Baptist Association had their national convention here.
Christian or not, a lot of people probably discover their besetting sin here--lust for flesh, lust for money, drunkenness, gluttony (yeah, that one's mine) lack of love for one's fellow man...the list is long. I saw a lot of the lack of love--especially in the presence of the homeless. So I dare you, if you feel like sharing today, you can either share your besetting sin, or share your most embarrassing moment. I've had both here in Vegas. Also, when you read this, would you say a prayer for my blue-eyed homeless man?
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I think this shows how tender hearted you are, that you cried like that.
You reminded me of an embarrassing moment where I cried. When my son was in the 4th grade, I read to his class weekly. Some books just really hit me hard emotionally, especially when I'm reading aloud. The title one one book escapes me but a family sends their little boy a long journey away into the woods to live with big burley loggers to save him from a fatal illness that is spreading.
I was afraid I'd cry at certain parts, but I steeled myself and didn't when I got to the part about him parting with the men he'd bonded with, after living with them for months.
I must have let my guard down, because when I got to the part where he reunites with his family and they're all standing on the platform smiling, I read the words he said to them, "You're not dead!" It was such a touching moment, the tears started to flow.
I thought I would die of mortification, siting in front of a classroom of kids bawling, or at least I thought my son would kill me. I didn't look up at him or anybody. The kids on the floor right in front of me knew I was crying. The male teacher in the room looked very uncomfortable! I could barely make my voice work to continue reading.
I didn't discuss it with anyone except my son, when he went to bed that night and I said, "Didn't you feel a little like crying at that part?"
He said, "No, I guess I'm more hardened than you are."
Men!
Embarassing? Hmm... Would have to be when I was standing in line at a church dinner. How can that get embarassing? Well, my husband was standing beside me and I turned around and was talking to a lady behine me in line. I turned back around as the line went forward and put my arm around my "husband".
I heard giggling, yes, giggling, behind me and looked back and up (from my 5' 2" to hubby's 6') and there was my husband trying not to bust out laughing. I slowly, ever so slowly, turned my head to see exactly who my arm was around. Just how embarssing was it going to be?
It turns out it was just my uncle. Whew! The funny thing is he didn't even notice until I busted out laughing. He thought I was his wife who had been standing beside him earlier!
To this day we have an inside joke. Whenever I put my arm around my husband I ask, "Is it you?"
Does the blue-eyed homeless man automatically make you think of a story that needs to be written? It does me.
Good gracious, most embarassing moment or most besetting sin? Hmmm, I'll do both.
I'm a pretty relaxed personality, and not known for being hypermodest, but there's just something about one's mother-in-law walking in on your right after you've had your first child and are getting an episiotomy. Not to mention the fact that the door was not by my head!! eek! Horrible feeling.
Most besetting sin?
Is there only one? ;-)
I have been to Vegas and we got a parking ticket for going downtown to see the street of lighs
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
Man, I'm so far behind here. I didn't catch these posts until today. We got home from Vegas last night, indulged once more in our besetting sin--ate a whole bag of doughnuts given to us by a friend--and slept in, wiped out from carb coma. Missed church. Brother.
Cathy, I can SO identify with you! I cry easily, and when something touches me, I can't always control the response. I hate crying in front of people, but I guess since God made me that way, they'll have to take me as I am. They'll just have to take you, too. LOL
Yes, Pepper, the blue-eyed homeless man already has a spot in my next book. He's the one who asks why my female lead thinks he's homeless. Just because his home is not in this world doesn't mean he's homeless. Many who live in the lap of luxury are far more deprived.
Colletta, thank goodness it was your uncle! Years ago, when I was much, much younger and less inhibited, my husband (former) and I were bowling with another couple. My husband made a strike, and I walked up behind him and wrapped my arm around him and, sliding my fingers between the buttons of his shirt, scratched his hairy belly. Then I turned around and saw MY husband picking up a ball behind me. I was scratching my girlfriend's husband's belly. Oh, man, I barely lived through that.
We drove the Vegas strip once, Edna, and I promised never again. People are crazy. I'll leave it at that.
My most embarrassing moment came at church a few years ago. I left a stall in the rest room and was washing my hands. I noticed the teenage girls were giggling. I proceeded on out to the sanctuary and one of their mothers came flying in and jerked down my skirt which was caught in the waistband of my pantyhose. Hmm, wonder if that's why I seldom wear a skirt anymore? LOL
Love your tender heart, Cheryl!
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Hi Cheryl-
I love hearing about you being so tenderhearted. For many years I asked God to not let me be so sensitive and have such a tender spirit. However, it does help me to relate to others who may be hurting or going through difficult times. It is also the reason I can connect so well to people through music, when I sing at church or other places. Thanks for asking these questions as it brings up memories I would never have thought of.
I was at a family dinner at my in-laws, and they are not Christians. All the family wanted to start opening presents and eat the Christmas dinner. I asked if I could read the story of the birth of Christ, because this was a tradition I have done since I was very young and first asked by my grandfather to read this passage right before we all opened our presents.
As I began to read, I guess the tension or uneasiness I was feeling just overcame me. I began to shake and my voice quivered and tears overflowed. I was able to finish but had to ask my husband to say the prayer before we ate.
I am not sure why I wasn't able to read this wonderful story of Christ's birth without the overwhelming emotion, except that I was doing it in front of those who don't believe in Jesus as a personal Savior. Also, I have been made fun of for my faith by them and stopped many times from sharing anything of church or my beliefs.
I thank God now, as you do, for this gift of tenderheartedness. I will be praying for the homeless man and all other homeless persons who for whatever reason, are 'in the same boat'. I look forward to your book where you add him as one of your characters.
What an experience you had in Las Vegas, even if you did lead a man 'astray'! Just kidding, he must have really had a story to share with his wife when he finally did leave -- that is too funny!
Most embarrassing moment? I think I will save that for another time, LOL.
Cheri
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