Odd Situation

Ok, sometimes you end up in situations that just aren't normal. This one was so abnormal that I just had to write about it. I've edited the story of names and information, because that's not the point. The point is, "How odd is a situation like this?" I'm not sure that I've ever ended up in a situation where it was either my integrity, or the other persons, but that's what happened this week.

Months ago I received a call asking if an event had occurred in my life where a person (unnamed to me at the time) came and told me significant information. My answer was a positive no; it never happened.

The other party was subsequently told that I called them a liar. (interesting to me because I didn't even know who it was). Yet they are positive that they did tell me.

So who's telling the lie?

Well it all came up again because someone believed that I was the liar. I was asked again about the event, and again I said that it had not happened. Only this time I was told the name of the other party (not the name I had surmised btw), and was really taken aback. Especially at the thought that we were in this place where one of us had to be lying. So I did what I think Christians are supposed to do, I called the other party and said, "I think we need to talk." I asked them to recount the event for me as they remember it. They recounted a very believable story, and I'm convinced that they're telling the truth. So am I lying? Here's the problem. I still don't remember the event. While their story is very detailed, my mind can't conjure the scenario they laid out. So am I lying? It turned out to have happened while I was at church.

Now let me stop for a little instruction. If you have an issue, question, whatever of importance don't talk to me about it from about an hour before to an hour after the service. (I can't speak for all pastors, but I know it's a good rule for me.) Unfortunately, my brain is processing so much information that it doesn't absorb new information. Even if I smile, make a joke, and make some commitment to you, don't believe my mouth, because my brain is not connected. (I know some of you think that problem occurs when I preach too.) I have really tried to train myself to ask people to follow-up with me because I most likely won't remember the conversation at all.

Now back to the story. How do I say yes that's what happened, when I don't remember it? How can I say it didn't happen, when a friend that I trust recounts it so well? What a weird situation.

Thankfully the involved parties got to speak together, share their sides, memories, understanding, and at the bottom line agree that it didn't matter. That God's grace was overshadowing the whole thing and if we were at peace, there needed to be no division. The conversation ended with prayer, and a sense of resolution.

What a weird situation though. Hopefully only once in a lifetime. But with a brain like mine, probably not.



--Ben