Taking Him Along to Meet “The Gang”

The woman gave her best friend the once over. “Okay, fine. You can come with me but you need to wear clothes designed in this century – something simple like jeans and a T-shirt. And, I don’t know, can you handle a hat?”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

“Nothing. I mean, I like it, but that’s me. It’s a little dated, that’s all.”

“Are your friends into fashion?”

“No, I just want them to like you and it will help if you show up looking like you fit in. Why make your clothes a stumbling block? Is it that big a deal to wear something more culturally relevant?”

“Not at all. I’d be happy to update the wardrobe.”

“Good, and, okay, don’t get angry . . .”

“Something else?”

“I’m just hoping that you’ll stick to positive topics – you know, nothing too controversial.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, you know how you are. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like you. I love you, even, and I’ve gotten accustomed to the range of topics you expound on at the drop of a hat. I even agree with you on most things, you know that.”

“Then, I don’t see the problem.”

“Look, I’m not asking you not to be you, just tone it down a little until my friends get to know you better. Is there anything wrong with that?”

“How fragile are these people?”

“They’re not fragile, they’re just sensitive about some things and you can be, well, sort of, insensitive.”

“Insensitive?”

“That’s the wrong word. Not insensitive, just, unconcerned with people’s opinions of you.”

“We’ve been over this. I’m not concerned what people think of me.”

“I know that, and it’s something I love about you but I do care what people think of me.”

“Fine, then you avoid controversial subjects but I’m going to talk about whatever comes to mind.”

“There you go again. I thought we were friends. Look, you know your business but I know this group of people and you’re not going to get anywhere with them by jumping into touchy topics. Just trust me on this.”

“Funny you should mention trust.”

“And, there’s one more thing.”

“I can’t wait to hear it.”

“Just for this little meeting, I’m going to stick with your title. No need to get all caught up in calling you by your first name.”

“My name is an issue.”

“You know it is. I don’t know why but there’s just something about that name.”

“There certainly is.”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with calling you by your title, right? Or your generic name. Or whatever. I mean, you know who I’m talking about even if I just refer to you as God, or Lord, or Messiah, right? That’s what’s important.”

“So, you think your friends don’t want to hear you say Jesus?”

“I knew you’d understand.”

“But I don’t.”

“Seriously, you understand everything. You know that people stay calm and accepting if I refer to you as God or the Lord but as soon as I say the name, Jesus, it escalates everyone’s comfort level.”

“I don’t have as much problem with that as you do.”

“Right, so, can you just do this for me, friend?”

“No.”

“Just like that. No.”

“Just like that. If we’re best friends and you love me and you want me to go with you then I am who I am and anything you do to try to hide that or tone it down is just plain disrespectful and unloving.”

“I don’t want to be that way, I just . . .”

“You just care what other people think.”

“About you.”

“You mean, about you.”

“Fine. Yeah. I care what they think about me. I wish I was more like you.”

“Now, we’re talking. I can make that happen.”

“How?”

“It’s easy. Take me with you everywhere you go and let me be exactly who I am.”

“That sounds really scary.”

“It is, for you. But don’t worry. I’ll be there.”