The one difficult thing in blogville is really knowing someone. But I guess I can not say that, because even MY OWN mother got it wrong.
First I have to say I KNEW how this person would have responded (because I thought of her after I walked out of the store):
Shalee said: Yeah, I’d have helped him and then taken him to the Midol and said, “Buy it and stock in it.”Then I would have taken him to the candy section and placed some Hershey’s dark chocolate kisses in his hand and said, “Trust me on this one.”
Then I would praised him for his willingness to help each of the women in his life. (That is a lovely way of showing his love for each of them.)
Lastly, I would have suggested that he get caught up on movies in the theatre that week because with two of them on their periods, the safest place for him would be out of the house.
Then manly man and I had a good laugh last night in how this person responded:
Jeana said…
I’m looking for option c: Explain to him that if his wife asked for Pearls for Christmas that is NOT what she had in mind.
Thanks for the good laugh, it felt good. But this person got my response down:
Blessed Assurances: I would of……stood there with my mouth wide open thinking “did he really just ask me that!?”
Guys…I totally walked away. I stood there for two seconds (which felt like 20 seconds) with my mouth wide open, I was so caught completely off guard that witty comments did not come to me. Oh but I thought of a lot AFTER I left.
But I will admit, after I was safely back in my car. I sat there and apologized to the Lord in case I missed an opportunity to help. So I guess I did not live up to my “character” today, even manly man said he would have guess I would of helped also.
Sigh…my humanity showing up again. If nothing else, I want you who read my blog to know I am as real as it gets here. No false pretenses, no displaying images. I may write devotionals, I may talk about how God is moving in my life.
But I also want you to see how I can mess up and miss opportunities, even if that means helping a poor man pick out female products. Does God just crack you up sometimes, he sure does me too. I don’t feel guilty, I am actually laughing with God saying, “Ok God I get it, always be ready.”
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
You know, maybe you did the right thing. We all said we would have helped, but in todays world, maybe that would not have been the prudent thing. There are store employees he could have asked for help. Anytime a strange man comes up to me, even if it is totally innocent, my antena go up and I become uncomfortabley aware of my surroundings. If he has a wife and daughter, then I’m sure the man understood as well.
yep, just another thing we have in common. You know, he could of been trying to pick you up and if that were the case, he needs to learn a few more pick up lines!
First - I really liked the comments the ladies left regarding the situation - especially Jeana’s
Second - I have missed so many opportunities in my life to help others and I was only aware of it after the fact.
Welcome to the “I wish I had done ____” club Laurel… We all miss God’s cues at times, but the neat thing is that God doesn’t write us out of the script when we mess up. He keeps handing us the good juicy parts hoping that we will get our lines right in the next scene.
But at least you made me ready for the time when some man needs to ask ME about sanitary supplies - poor man…
Shalee
You know, I feel so much better because if a woman had asked me I would have stepped in and helped anyway I could but not a male. I honestly cannot even make eye contact with most of the men I know (except for my husband and my dad–who deosn’t do eye contact either). I struggle every time a male asks me a crazy question, ever since an 80 year old man saw 12 year old me checking the Italian bread to see if if was fresh (give it a gentle squeeze as my mom always told me) and he suggested that he would love it if I squeezed him that way. Nope, I may have answered as you did, maybe even pointed to the right shelf if I was in the same aisle as those products, and scooted the other direction as quickly as possible.
I feel better knowing tht I am not the only one. Though I am sure your slackmouthed stare was better than my running the other direction. The lord has dealt with a lot in my life but I haven’t yet gotten over the “what do you say to a grown male who is a stranger” bit.
I didn’t see the post until today but oh my goodness, I don’t know what I would have done, but I definitely would’ve had a laugh about it!!
Well, glad to know you are human! :v)
I’m totally like you, though, I think of what to say minutes after the situation.
Susanne
unfortunately, i am such a babbler that I would have ended up giving him a 1 hour “summary” of all of the differences and pros and cons… and scared HIM off…
I tend to go the other way - aware that i need to help but smoothering them with it…
gotta find the balance…
Blessings,
Karla
We’re all human! Thanks for letting us see the real you–I appreciate the honest portrayal of your life.
I think you are being too hard on yourself. When the Bible says, “Be ready to give an answer to those who ask” it’s not talking about sanitary supplies. (I don’t think…)
If that man (or anyone else) were to ask you about the “hope that you profess” you could’ve held them spellbound on aisle 12 for hours!
Don’t worry about it!
(And I’m resisting all “pearls before swine” references at this moment…)
Well,l I’ve missed opportunties, too…it always hit me later.
Just dropping by to say hi and send some Christmas hugs your way.
You are WAY COOL. Always. And thank you for sharing this story, responses (submitted/actual) and all.
Also thank you for your kind words and prayer re: my son. You have a wonderful outlook on life. Guess that comes from the fun of having three boys, eh?
I really needed a good laugh and this story did it! I’m surrounded by coughing, vomiting kids, plus one case of conjunctivitis. Oh, and I’m hosting a birthday tea for two of my daughters (one of whom started the vomiting this afternoon) in two days.
At least you’re laughing over the experience!