Mark's Remarks 4/27

A man walked into a pet store and said, "I want to return this talking bird." The owner said, "Well, sir, we guarantee that all our birds can talk, but we can't guarantee when they will talk." "No, no," the man said. "The bird talks all right, but I don't like its attitude. For six days I said to the bird, 'Can you talk?' The bird said nothing. Every morning and every night I stood in front of the cage and said, 'Can you talk?' The bird said nothing again. Finally this morning, I lost my temper and shouted at the bird, 'You stupid bird, can you talk?!' " "So, what happened?" the owner asked. "That bird looked at me and said, 'Yeah, I can talk. Can you fly?'

Have you ever been frustrated in trying to communicate with a person and struggle with it? Of course, you have! You can’t remember their name, that’s a big issue. And if you remember their name, they are not in the phone book. They’re like the bird, they perhaps have an attitude. Pretty soon you wonder if knowing them is worth your time. Yes, it’s true, some want to be contacted, some don’t, and there is not much you can do about it.

When you think about it, when you fail to wear your nametag, it’s like not having your name in the phone book. There are many around you who see your attractive visage, who would like to know you and yet are reduced to guessing games with their church friends regarding you, “You’ve seen him, he sits on the left side about half way back.” But finding out who you are is a mystery wrapped up in an enigma.

If you’re rather new to our church community, that problem is multiplied. You look great. We’ve seen you before. You may be a member here. We only see you going through the line after worship. What’s your name?

Is this important to your spiritual life? Henri Nouwen put it this way:
Casual conversation is a way of acquainting people with the details of our lives. Newcomers to a community can navigate its unfamiliar ways, guided by the small talk of neighbors. The shared conversations allow us to take steps toward intimacy -- and our prayers allow us to find new ways to become intimate not only with God, but with those in our Christian community.

It’s important! Please wear your nametag. If you tend to forget to bring it, keep it on one of the nametag boards in both foyers. Thanks.