Any excuse'll do...

 Me: Where are you?
Friend: In town.
Me: Me too. I'm at church. Come on over!
F: Oh, I can't. I don't have any church clothes.
Me: It's OK. It's a casual church. Even the pastor wears jeans.
F:  I can't. I think it's disrespectful.

Me: Disrespectful? Of whom? So you think the pastor is disrespectful?
F: Oh no, I was in the choir at that church for three years.
M: Then come on over!
F: No, it's just how my mom raised me.
Me: Mine too, but she and I learned to adapt to change.
(awkward pause)
Me: But, to each his own.
F: Thanks.
Me: But next time, just say you don't wanna come to church and it'll come across more sincere than some excuse about clothes.

The above conversation reminds me that people should just voice their reasons without trying to sound official; the fact that we make excuses is not the problem; the fact that we often prop up the excuse as the "real" reason is. The truth is, we don't want to do some things, and we aren't ready to adjust our schedules. Fair enough. Be real out there, people!

At the counter

My blogging fingers are going numb from the air conditioned environment. But the girl at the counter doesn't seem to mind baring as much flesh as possible despite the chill. Her raven hair and hoop earrings compliment her perfect figure, accentuated by skin tight jeans stuffed into cute, trendy boots.
I have to force my eyes away. I'm learning to overcome bad habits of staring and focusing on the wrong woman.

Perhaps I could understand this scenario better if it weren't right in my own church.