“SPECIAL TUESDAY EDITION”
by Rick Jones, Husband of the Minister's Wife
Last Friday I broke from the usual humorous tone of my column and made some serious remarks about employing humor when facing troubles. I suppose I can do whatever I want when I write, but I felt a little guilty because I know that's not what readers expect. So here's my plan: once in a while, I'll veer into something serious. If I limit this to 10 articles or less a year, that'll be less than 20% of what I write.
That should take care of my guilt. But it doesn't. Being a good Baptist, I live by the rule that guilt is much like jello: no matter what else you have on your plate, there's always room for jello. No matter what else is happening in life, I always have a way to fit in a little guilt.
Lois was happy with the rose I brought home – but wouldn't three roses have been nicer? I preached a good sermon – but maybe it would have been better if I'd quoted Martin Luther instead of Steve Martin. I won the 100 yard dash – but couldn't I have run a little faster? Okay, that example is from waaay back when I could still actually run. But it just goes to show how long guilt can hang around.
So I revised my plan: whenever I devote a Friday to a serious topic, I'll write a “bonus article” for the next Tuesday. This is my first one.
Before any pagans, Wiccans, or New Agers write to tell me how nothing productive ever comes from feelings of guilt, consider this: because of my guilt feelings, you'll get up to ten additional articles from me each year! Hmmm . . . depending on how you like what you read, I suppose that could actually help your argument.
It may surprise you to learn that I don't feel at all guilty about possibly offending pagans with that remark. Wiccans and New Agers, maybe, but I've found that pagans can be some of the most loyal and understanding of friends. After all, they worship the ground you walk on.
