Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Embarrassment (01/12/12)
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TITLE: I Can't Believe That I Did That! | Previous Challenge Entry
By annie keys
01/17/12 -
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One Sunday, while on vacation, my family and I visited a church. As I involved myself in the song service, a song I was not familiar with appeared on the “wall page” (overhead projector image). At the end of every paragraph was the word, “CHO”. As directed by the words, with great enthusiasm, at the end of the verse, I shouted, “CHO!” My husband gave me a startled look.
The next verse ended the same way, “CHO!” Again, the hubs gave me that look. After the third verse, he leaned over and whispered in my ear, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING? STOP THAT!” I pointed at the verse on the wall and told him it was the song. He began laughing and almost lost control of his composure. When he told me that “CHO” was a musical notation meaning, “sing the chorus”; I was---embarrassed.
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One Sunday after church, my husband and I were enjoying dinner with a missionary at my pastor brother in-law’s house. My beloved spouse was sitting across from me at the table. I slipped my shoe off and began playing with his foot. It amused me that he didn’t even look up, so, I played with his foot all the more, watching him for that twinkle in his eye that says, “Silly thing, I love you too”. After a few more unfruitful attempts to play footsie wootsie, I put my foot on top of his and just let it rest there.
Awhile later, my husband excused himself and left the table to get more coffee. To my horror, my foot was still resting on top of somebody’s shoe! Three decades later, my brother in-law still razzes me about the Sunday I played footsie with the missionary---and I was embarrassed.
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My “bestest” friend in the entire world went with me to the Coca-Cola Museum. Part of the exhibit was a tasting bar where every flavor of cola that had ever been made was available. As we walked down the line, tasting all the drinks, I was stunned at how many flavors had been invented through the years.
Every time I looked up, the end of the bar was as far in the distance as it had been the last time I looked. As I turned to walk on down the line, SMACK! I was suddenly on my back on the floor! The wall in front of me was a mirror, creating the illusion that the taste bar continued on. My friend helped me up off the floor and wiped the beverage off my face and clothing. She vibrated with laughter and I was---embarrassed.
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If I were to chronicle all the times in my life that I’ve done something ridiculous and embarrassed myself, I could publish it as a book. When I was very young, I was easily embarrassed; if there was a mess, I was usually involved in the making of it. My dear Daddy told me that the best way to handle embarrassment was to hold my head up and view the situation as a casual on-looker.
That simple transference removed the personal humiliation and enabled me to laugh at myself. That simple ability to laugh at "me" takes me from being a victim to being a victor. My Daddy was very wise and the result has been that, for the rest of my life, I’ve laughed at my own foibles.
There is one time when I know that I won’t be embarrassed, though. On that day when I stand before my Lord to be judged, I will have no fear of shame.
The book of life will be opened to the page where all of the naughty and selfish things that I’ve ever done are recorded.
At that moment, my Jesus will step in front of me and the page of my iniquity, all of the embarrassing moments when I failed will “poof” and be gone. I will stand before the God of the universe with no shortcomings, no inadequacies; clothed in the righteousness of Christ and ---I will NOT be embarrassed.
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Good job. God Bless~
I loved your descriptions, especially describing the "Cho!" incident; but mostly I loved the end and its significance for us as Jesus' brothers and sisters. There is no shame in Him! What a wonderful thing to know and hold on to. Well done!
This was fantastic, both in its panorama of pain and in the way you nailed it with such a reassuring close.
Well done.
PS It may be that while you don't suffer from stress, yu could well be a carrier....
I loved the two opening stories (the "CHO" moment and the "playing footsie with your brother-in-law"). I admire the life perspective you bring to these moments and applaud your father's wisdom.
I especially liked the comment about how being able to laugh at yourself in these moments turns one from being a "victim" into a "victor."
Very nicely done!
Now that's embarrassing!
Great application of the theme.