Recalibration

Since I began working at downtown coffee bar I have become friends with some of the locals. Near the plaza I work in is a local dive. There is a lady who has worked at this bar for well over 20 years now. She always comes in telling stories of getting drunk on the weekends, most of the time with whatever indie band preformed in Ybor the night before. (I’ve learned more about indie rock from a bartender than I ever did when I hung out with bands!)

The other day I noticed her wearing a saint bracelet similar to one I sometimes wear, I mentioned it and soon we were in the middle of a religious discussion. I quickly find out that this bartender is very religious. I have to admit at first it threw me off, I wasn’t expecting to have deep theological discussions with a small bartender from a rundown dive.

So often even as we say we don’t we have certain expectations from people. I struggle so much with stereotypes, I stereotype so often even as I fight the stereotypes of others. The sad truth is that this women knew as much as I did, using the correct lingo, not falling into the typical theological flaws. It was a very intelligent deep discussion.

It bothered me how she would share about getting drunk to the point of stupidity (that is her own word choice). Then in the same story tells of going to church. I had to quickly, and without her noticing, judge myself and my views. I realized I looked down upon those who struggle with drinking. I enjoy drinks, usually with a meal or out with friends, but someone whose life seems to focus around when they will get drunk next seems like a pitiful life. BUT she is happy, happier than most Christians I meet (which doesn’t take much) and she is a strong Christian. How though? How can a person be such a strong Christian and yet fill their life with so much drinking? Sure Billy Sunday did it, but that was a different time and place.

How can a person who knows so much about the Bible find it completely okay to get ‘stupid drunk’ every chance they get? What I soon realized is that even as we grow, even as we know what to do, often we can only see what others are doing. I can only see how her views on drinking are off, yet I struggle to see how I am off. After she left I sat down and began thinking about what parts of my life do others ask “How can he be a Christian and do that, say that, think that, or blog that?” What parts of my life don’t quite line up with Scripture?

Yes, I still can not understand how this lady gets drunk on Saturdays and heads to church on Sundays without an ounce of remorse, but that’s between her and God. I have enough problems, enough of my own weak points. Maybe through our daily conversations she can help me see where I need help, and maybe she’ll see where she needs a little improvement. Either way all I can do is love others and keep looking for my own plank.