On Monday, we invited some friends over for dinner and then the plan was for all of us to go bowl a game together at the local bowling alley. Apparantley, everyone else in town had the same idea because we got to the bowling alley and there wouldn't be a free lane until 9 p.m. Since Tuesday was the first day of school after Spring Break, staying up that late wasn't a good idea. Plan B was to go a block south to the nearest McD's and get ice cream, and let the kids play on the playground.
We walked into the fast food establishment, unsure of what everyone wanted for dessert. As I took orders from the kids and got in line, they disappeared into the playground area. Then a family walked in passing out fliers for their church. Out of the blue, the wife starts (for lack of a better term) bearing her testimony of her church and her conversion unto Jesus.
I generally have no problem with this, given the fact that our church has over 50,000 missionaries out in the field with the same purpose. Although, I don't think our Elders ever bear testimony in fast food establishments.
As we moved up in the line to order our ice cream from the cashier, the husband started in. This guy was holding a little girl, was skinny and not at all visually matched to his loud, deep pulpit preaching voice. He then delivered what must have been a 5 minute sermon to everyone within the range of his voice in McD's.
To say the least, it was awkward. I did listen to what he had to say, but I kept giggling. It was just so weird. Was I supposed to stop what I was doing as listen to him? Should I have given him my full attention? Should I just politely ignore him and continue on with my food order?
I couldn't help giggling..... the setting seemed so unnatural. I was trying to order ice cream while this man's reminding me that just believing in Jesus and going to church on Sunday isn't enough. My commitment level needs to be higher.
I guess what I found kind of amusing is that on many levels our religious beliefs are very similiar. There was very little I would disagree with. But would I ever go into a McD's and preach my beliefs to a crowd of strangers? No way.
Does that make me a coward? I don't know, but I tell you it was the most awkward situation I've been in for a long time. And what was even stranger was the fact that McD's didn't do a thing about this impromptu sermon. The manager only surfaced at the counter after they had left. Someone actually applauded them as they left... was it because they agreed with what was said, or was it because they were thrilled to see them go?
Our only regret after they left, was that we didn't have a Pass-along card to give them in return. That would have been a great story to tell this week at church...
