Small Group: The Toothless Discussion

So the other night my wife and I were meeting with our Small Group (Discussion Group/Bible Study/Home Group/Home Team or whatever you want to call it) we facilitate. One the ladies mentioned that she has one of those veteran’s groups coming by to pick up some of their old clothes and kids toys.

I remarked that one of those groups calls us every month, or so. I said I always feel that we never have anything to give and if we did we’d probably sell it at a yard-sale or something. I also mentioned that the old person who calls is clearly toothless.

“How do you know that?” One of the guys responds, with a perplexed and slightly disapproving look.

“You can just tell because she has that slight whistling sound as she talks and her tongue goes into the gap in the front of her mouth,” I reply politely, as if it is common knowledge.

“So you feel bad that you don’t have stuff to give but not about calling the poor elderly volunteer toothless?” He challenges.

“That’s right. I’m simply pointing out a fact, not making any kind of personal indictment of the lady,” I defended with.

“You’ve got serious issues!” He finishes with.

I agreed with him. Certainly, I have many issues. There was no argument there. But my point was, if you’re going to try to get people to give you stuff, you probably want to have someone making contacts that doesn’t have such a noticeable speech impediment.

Being a volunteer is admirable, and these organizations should be commended for what they do for communities, but we all still live in the real world. Like when you’ve been to a restaurant and your waiter is the worst. The food came late and cold and you never got one refill on your drinks. So you complained to the manager only to discover the waiter is his nephew. Or worse, you go to a church and the main lady singing really sucks, but you find out she has the job because she’s related to the pastor. I’m sure you know what I mean.

I encourage you: live in the real world. I try to.

*And if you’re wondering why we are talking about toothless old ladies during our group? This all happened before we actually started as we were all chowing down on some chili.