The last four or five Sunday mornings a young woman with two boys (7-10 years old,) and her little baby, have visited the church sitting on the back row with the rest of us back pew reprobates (as we call ourselves.) Her boys are a little rowdy, but definitely no worse than most other energetic children in a church setting.About fifteen minutes into the "worship service" her boys were squirming around a little more than usual, and while she was trying to get them under control an elderly lady sitting in front of her who has a real problem hearing, and whispers loud enough to be heard all the way to the front of the building, whispered into another elderly sisters ear; "we're going to have to find another place to sit." This remark cut me like a knife, I can only imagine how the visiting mother must have felt.
The young lady was obviously hurt and embarrassed by the remark, and within a few minutes she bundled up her boys and headed out the door. I thought she was just taking the baby out for a minute, but she never returned. It worries me that this lady may never darken our doors again, and will carry a bitter taste in her mouth for Christians in general, and our little church in particular.
The elderly sister making the unkind remark is not accountable (at least in my opinion); she is approaching ninety, hard of hearing, doesn't realize she has the loudest whisper in history, and has border-line senility. She is a sweet sister who wouldn't harm anyone, yet her innocent words just crushed this young woman.
Later I contacted one of the elders and notified him of what had happened; thankfully he has her phone number and address and will make contact with her and try to explain that the cruel words innocently spoken were not the words describing how the rest of us feel towards her and her children.
5 comments:
I think we should have progressive seating in the church, I know it would not fit the pattern of silence for worship.(if it ain't there don't do it) rule but as we get older we should sit closer to the preacher, as we get harder of hearing we should work our way down to the front so we can hear, soon I will be sitting behind the preacher on the podeum. I think we should accomodate the young as well as the elderly. I believe the audio system did away with that.but it don't help the eyes any.
Hard situation--I am so thankful someone will try to explain to her--I am sure even the elderly sister would want them to come back!
I am glad you were so close to see what happened and have the good sense to let someone know. I hope and pray this lady will come back and there will be no hard feelings.
Hoot...
The lady did return today along with her husband, and everything appears to be sorted out.
The elder I spoke to about the situation was sick and unable to attend today, so I didn't get any details about his conversation with the lady, but the preacher did something completely different today, he asked all of us to take a little time prior to his sermon to introduce ourselves to all the visitors. Perhaps this is a result of the incident. She was well received and things look great at this point.
Laymond...
It's scary to think of a church without a back pew!
Due to my many displays of klutziness, and the weird things happening to me while in the front pews, I have become firmly entrenched in the back of the building.
When my hearing goes perhaps I may find a huge "hearing-horn" (or whatever their called,) and still hear the preacher. :)
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