Putting her foot in it!

I can’t wait to tell you what just happened to me. It was at 10:46 am that my door bell rang. How did I know the exact time, I hear you ask. Well, I had just placed this apple cream coffee cake in the oven, turned to look at the clock and was still holding my oven mittens in my hands.

My initial instinct was to ignore it. I was not expecting any one and have a very busy day ahead of me. But not being the type to ignore door bells unless the timing was positively inconvenient, I took the 13 steps from the centre of my kitchen to my front door (Yep, I went back and counted it before sitting down to write this!), still holding my oven mittens.

Peeping through the key hole, I was initially blinded by the red coat. I then made out the wearer, a middle aged woman who had a young girl in tow. She was clutching a handbag and was already holding out some pamphlets. I knew where she belonged and what she wanted. As a Christian, I welcome and love chatting with others who profess to know God. We might not always see eye to eye but that does not stop me from listening with patience and occasionally putting across my own points. But not today. Shall I just walk back and ignore them?

“Well," I said to myself, "you’re already at the door so you might as well open it and dismiss them politely."

I opened the door still holding my mittens and with a sorry-but-must-get-back-to work look on my face.

“Good morning.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to wake you up from sleep but I would like to…”

What is this? A canned greeting for those who happen to be still at home at 11 am?

“You did not wake me up. I AM COOKING,” I spelled out waving the mittens for effect.

“Oh sorry but you’re still wearing your…” she tried to stutter,

She still didn’t get it. I knew what I was wearing so she had no excuse. I glanced at her little girl who looked to be about 11 and the poor thing had her face fully focused on the ground. She got it.

The woman in red stretched out her hand and offered me her pamphlet. “We’re going around your neighbourhood and inviting people to our Convention on the …”

I took the paper and was about to close my door when I remembered my grace and charm.” Have a very good day ladies.” I smiled that smile that only showed the teeth.. You know; the one that never touched the heart. Then I shut the door.

Turning around, I barged into my guest toilet, located not far from my front door and turned to the full length wall mirror. I had and still have on my lounging Kaftan with a dusting of flour on the left hand side, an evidence of my time in my kitchen. My hair is not bad. True I have no makeup on but there is no way I look like someone who is just roused from sleep. Then I looked at the paper.

"Violence, immorality and global warming, along with
oil spills and other environmental disaster – all
these problems had led concerned people to ask:
WILL HUMANS RUIN THIS EARTH?"

Talk about ruining the earth! Lady, you've tried to ruin my day!! You've just made me feel like a lazy slob who hugs her bed until midday. If only you know what I have achieved this morning and what I still need to do before the end of the day. I felt bad and really small. Then I glanced at the mirror again and smiled, this time for real. Who should be feeling small and embarrassed? Me, in my own home and doing my own thing or this woman who tried to mess my head up by putting her foot in her mouth?

Out of line comments are never pleasant. People must learn to think before they open their mouth. Thoughtless statements can be offensive and such verbal blunders belittle the receiver and chips away confidence.

I now find myself wondering if I am at all like this lady. Have I said some insensitive things to people that left them embarrassed or hurt? If so then I am truly sorry. It is worth thinking positively and saying something complementary at all times.

As for the invitation from the woman in red, it is already resting where it belongs, in my trash can. And I need to go bring my cake out of the oven. It is for a good cause and some folks who are yet unknown to me will enjoy it later. Cheers!