This picture was taken last evening. I was standing by our very cool and attractive daughter however if you click and expand the picture it looks like I was bored to death. (Not that I wasn't uncomfortable but actually I was looking at someone in the balcony.)

To be honest it reminds me of a personal hangup and dislike I have had ever since the VBS Nazi worker tried to insist that I put a BIG hat on my head and lead the "rhythm band" in a march for the program. I was about 4 or 5 years old. I cried and to be honest felt traumatized by it. I have had an honest dislike for church bosses, people who think they always know whats best for others, and people who force others into doing things that make them extremely uncomfortable, ever since. I do not like being the center of attention or the focal point of a room full of strangers. This is why I do not like visitors at a church being paraded to the front row after service starts. I feel for them and usually recognize the trauma on their faces.

I made it through this experience and it was honor to support my daughter but unlike some who eat up the attention I would be just as happy to be in a corner of the bleachers away from the eyes of people I don't know. I know some of you are going to wonder how this can be when I stand for about thirty minutes each week in front of hundreds of people and speak. There is a big difference. I know most of the congregation and feel very much at home speaking in the context of our church. Take me out of that comfort zone a few degrees and I will wilt and withdrawal into the private person I am. For those who read this who love attention and to be "in the front," more power to you. Just try to understand that not everybody is alike and give others a break occasionally.

Here are my two favorite female people!