The Tables Turned

I now remember what it feels like for "new" people to first step foot into a new environment with people they never met before. As for me I'm usually on the other side of the table being one of the pastors at a church welcoming and meeting "new" people who is checking you out for the first time.

The awkward moment came for me this afternoon after I dragged my Florida Gater (ask Dellie Hinton about the spelling) fan of a wife to the 2008 Triangle Seminole Club Kick Off Picnic. As you can tell from my last post or if you know me well, I am huge Florida State Seminoles fan and I thought this would be a great way to meet other Nole fans in the area. With my personality and me being more of an extrovert I didn't think I'd have as hard of a time meeting new people in this environment as I did.

Tracy and I arrived about midway through the event during the middle of a talk by guest speaker and former Florida State Running Back, Nick Maddox. There were about 40 or so adults and another 20 or so kids and they all seemed to know each other pretty well. So to say the least Tracy and I stuck out like sore thumbs, except I was wearing a FSU Football shirt (and no Tracy did not have on her Gator jersey). It reminded me of being a visitor in a church, everyone notices that you are "new" and are not sure whether or not to talk to you, so instead they decide to stay in their comfort zones and talk w/ the people they know. It's usually not until the leader, (a Pastor in a church setting) the President of the Club in this setting, comes up and welcomes you that other people start doing the same.

The first people to greet us was Jim the President and Margret the VP and they thanked us for coming to check them out. This whole idea didn't hit home to me until after I met another "new" person doing the same thing we were doing and introduced myself and told her what I do. I mentioned "now I know how visitors feel when they first come to church." At that particular moment Tracy turned away and smiled b/c I was oblivious to the fact she had no idea what I was inferring to and asked for me to explain. To say the least it helped me realize that I've grown accustomed to hanging around other Christians and not spending enough time getting to know others who may not believe.

So come Saturday, Sept. 6th when the Noles kickoff their season at home against Western Carolina, I look forward to watching the game on the big screens at Chammps Americana Grille at South Point Mall (the official Triangle Seminole Club game watching spot) and share some wings with my newly found Seminole friends! Go Noles!