Let me say something as a public announcement.
If you are a person who looks at or talks on your phone during the screening of a movie in a movie theater, or talks in anything above a whisper, or eats nachos with your mouth open and then tosses the uneaten cheese tray under your seat…I say with the utmost respect and sincerity, for Pete’s sake, stop it!
OK. I have taken a deep breath. Let me try that again. Ahem.
For MY sake. STOP. IT. STOP. IT. STOPIT!!!
Do these people really not realize they are not in their own homes, alone?
I have discovered that if someone is going to do one of these things, the Law of Annoyances says they will sit in close proximity to me.
About two decades ago, my friend Brian traded two Chevy Novas for a 1969 Chevelle in show condition. He picked it up on a Friday afternoon, drove to the coast Saturday morning, parked unknowingly in the last slot of a parking lot that was then cordoned off for a car show, and came back a few hours later to find his car had won Best in Show.
No kidding. That’s how nice it was.
A month or so later he drove it to the grocery store and parked in the spot furthest away from the store so no one would park too close and accidentally ding his car. Someone parked very close to him, however, and scraped their 1960s kitchenware yellow car door down the side of his deep red finish.
Grown men do cry.
Why do I share that story?
In movie theaters, I am that Chevelle. And yellow-doored people seek me out.
I know, I’m probably too sensitive to these things. But I don’t understand this behavior.
I probably annoy others in some ways unknown, as yet, to me. Just joking. I know I’m perfect.
When we behave like this, it displays the truth that we are, in these respects at least, focused only on ourselves. Self focused, self centered.
It is a self-centered focus that keeps us from depending on God, helping others, being aware of the hurts and struggles all around us. It is where all sin originates.
Focus on self.
So, Brett, does that mean you are annoyed because you are focused on you- Stop it. This is not about me. It’s about me. I … uh … hmm.
Let’s all try to focus less on self this week, more on the God who loves us, more on those he commanded us to love.
Brett Campbell can be reached at ChunkyBrett@mail.com
