Want to get some strange looks from your waitress and dinner guests, the next time you are at your favorite pizza restaurant try ordering a vegetarian pizza with added Italian sausage. That’s mine and my wife’s favorite pizza but it does bring a questioning look and response from the waiter…”veggie lovers ……added sausage? “, asked with a demeaning tone almost but not saying “don’t you know what vegetarian means?” My second favorite pizza is topped with sauerkraut, unless you have had it you now have that “just how weird are you?” questioning look. I suffer the strange looks, the ridicule, of others often, but very few times is it for anything more serious than my food choice. Ok occasionally its for wearing white socks with either flip flops or dress shoes, but for nothing serious unless I would be found in New York during fashion week.
For my choice in pizza and fashion I am willing to be mocked and laughed at, because I have previously had a taste that I found enjoyable, and hey white tube socks are just comfy…I know this from experience so I am willing to take the “questioning of my sanity” looks from the waitress as I ask for sausage on a vegetarian pizza or the disapproving shaking of my daughter’s head as I squeeze my over the calf tube sock covered toes in to my paint stained heavily worn leather flip flops. Maybe I am ripe for a little ridicule, but in these two instances I am not bothered, I am both satisfied and comfortable.
I am so comfortable with the these two choices I don’t bother bristling when challenged, I don’t feel threatened by those that wear their flip flops sockless or those that think sauerkraut should be reserved for 4th of the July hotdogs. My daughter has tried to shame me about my fashion sense and gets nothing but a smile in return. Mind you she is the one who purposefully will wear miss matched brightly colored socks to church and she is over 21 years of age! I am just not threatened by those that believe differently.
There are times I wish I was that way when challenged about my faith and principles so comfortable I could peaceable smile and ask have you tried it? Rather than having the feeling that I must defend myself with some eloquent and educated response, or rather than a heated exchange I want people to see my choices and ask me about them simply because I seem to be enjoying myself. I wouldn’t argue with someone that is never going to wear white tube socks or eat pizza. If you were sharing dinner with me I’d just politely offer you a slice, why would I have a heated discussion with a non-believer? Like sauerkraut pizza if you haven’t had it you need to see someone enjoying it before you can get past doubt and the wrinkling of your nose.
I am not equating Christianity with simple food choices or clothing something that is a personal taste, something you can don this morning and take off this afternoon. I am saying I don’t need to defend God. The world doesn’t need me yelling back at it in protest. The world needs to see me enjoying this life, enjoying my faith, expressing its goodness, sharing its comfort, so secure in it that I am not threatened by ridicule or shame from those that have not tried it yet.
If you ask me I would gladly share some fashion hints and pizza recommendations, heck I’d even invite you out to Pizza Hut. I need to be as hospitable when sharing a few life choices that have worked out well, including my faith.
Taste it, I think you’ll like it
David
