The Ant and the Book Signing
Go ahead and call me an idiot. It’s okay. I’m not offended
because more and more the title seems to fit.
Do you want
to hear why I’m giving you permission to do that? Last week, I spoke at Summit,
Abilene Christian University’s Bible Lectureship, where they sponsor a variety
of classes covering a large span of current topics. They host Bible teachers,
authors, musicians, and community leaders who challenge Christians to live
their calling in Christ, to endeavor to help the oppressed by halting sex
trafficking, buying fair trade products, and remaining active in one’s
community by caring for widows, orphans, and others who need a hand up.
Students and thousands of visitors to the campus attend the sessions.
In that
setting, my publisher had scheduled several book signings for me. I have a
system for signing books and it usually works. With three books published, I
write a particular message for each of those books and underneath I sign my
name. If I know the person, I write a more personal message. At one of those
venues, a woman I’ve never met wanted me to sign her book. If asked to sign
that particular book, I usually write, “Be a blessing, Page 106, Proverbs
17:17” and then I sign my name. Did I say I have a system and it normally
works?
However, my
plan didn’t work this past week when I was a few numbers off in my scripture
reference. Heaven only knows who the book-buyer-woman was, and I do sincerely
wish I could apologize for the scripture reference I accidentally wrote. That
page number that I refer to when signing is to direct the reader to a story or
recipe that I think is one of the better ones within the book. The story on
page 106 is the one when close-friend Doris took up an offer of free turnip
greens issued to both of us. Knowing I was very busy and couldn’t wash, drain,
and de-sand them, she later surprised me with quarts and quarts of frozen ones.
What a dedicated friend!
I like that
friendship story, and most people can relate to it. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A
friend loves at all times.” I don’t write out the actual words, just the
numbers. It’s a general scripture, which could apply to many people and
situations.
At the
exact moment I signed the woman’s book, the chosen Bible chapter and verse just
wouldn’t surface in my mind. After a few seconds of delay, finally, my brain
told me that the scripture reference that I usually write is Proverbs 6:6. The
woman smiled happily, taking her signed book and moving on to the checkout
line, and I greeted the next person.
Later when
the hubbub died down, I easily remembered that I’d written Proverbs 6:6 in the
woman’s book. My brain also reminded me -- far too late -- that I usually write
Proverbs 17:17. To my horror, I wondered
what words of wisdom were in Proverbs 6:6. I knew that somewhere in chapters 3
to 7 were some plain-talk descriptions about an adulteress. Naturally, all of
the sudden my brain functions perfectly, reminding me of such descriptive
phrases as, “Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.”
Others quickly pop into my mind about the “immoral woman,” or the “adulteress
who preys upon your very life,” or how a “prostitute reduces you to a loaf of
bread.”
Why did my
brain that’s been with me all these years desert me when most needed during the
signing? When I realized just how BIG my mistake might be, worry began to gnaw
at my peace. Wondering what message is
in Proverbs 6:6, I voiced my concerns to my traveling companion and sister,
Sherry.
“I think
I’ve done something really stupid,” I said to her. I explained the number foul
up and my fear that I might have called a Christian book buyer a trollop.
My trusty
sister whips out her Bible and says, “Why wait to find out. I’ll just see what
it says.” She locates the verse, and I can see she’s reading silently to herself.
She giggles and asks, “Are you sure those are the numbers you wrote.” I nod my
head. “You’ll either hate yourself or think it’s funny.”
I audibly
groaned. Sister Sherry read aloud Proverbs 6:6, “Go to the ant, you sluggard.
Consider its ways and be wise!”
“Oh, good
grief,” I said. “Some poor woman is walking around wondering why on earth I
judged her a sluggard!” Then I remember it could have been worse. I could have
tagged her as a loose woman who drags her “prey down to the grave.” Thank you,
Lord, for small ant-sized favors. This is a sweeping apology to that unnamed
woman. In addition, I know she’s not the first I’ve offended with written words
and she’s probably not the last, I apologize for any of my misspoken words or
written words -- a bunch, I’ve no doubt.
A sense of
humor, a willingness to confess, and a willingness to forgive – life’s too
short to sweat the fumbles. Next time the ball’s up in the air and my brain is
disengaged, I just hope to pass along a smile and maybe a signature alone. And
that will just have to do.
Index Card
Verse for Week 39: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in
love” (Galatians 5:6).
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