ODDS & ENDS: Central column follow-ups; Out with Grandpa; Lent [Sat. 3-12-22]

CHRIST IN WINTER: Reflections on Faith & Life for the Years of Winter

 {Remember to set your clocks ahead.}

FOLLOW UPS TO THE 3-4-22 COLUMN ON TELEPHONE OPERATORS

Old college friend Bob tells of when he was in theological school at SMU, how he dated a Southwest Bell telephone operator named Marilyn a little, but then was gone for the whole summer. When he got back, he received a bill from Southwest Bell for several thousand dollars, which was to be sent to a particular operator, named Marilyn. He called her up and said that seemed like quite a lot, even in those says where long-distance calls were toted up by the minute, but he was willing to meet her in person to discuss it. He’s had a very smart wife named Marilyn for close to 60 years.  

Faithful commentor, Maria, said that when she was growing up, their home phone number was very similar to Dial A Prayer. She says that “My dad often indulged folks.” How neat.

OUT WITH GRANDPA

Our grandson is coming to visit. I am delighted, and also a bit worried, for I am remembering the time when he was about three and wanted his mother to stop at the gumball machine on the way out of the grocery store. At that point, of course, any mother with a 3 year old and a 7 year old and a cart full of groceries simply doesn’t have time to stop. He started to tear up. His mother overheard his sister say, “Don’t worry about it. Just wait ‘til the next time you’re out with Grandpa.”

This worries me some, since now when he is out with Grandpa, we look at new sports cars.

AFTER THE CAMERA BREAKS AWAY

TV sitcom writers are smart. They’re not always good. Plenty of the stuff they try to put over on us as humor is lame, at best, but they know when to cut the camera away from the action.

It’s right after a character has said or done something stupid or embarrassing or awkward or dangerous. The laugh track comes up, and we’re left to write the rest of the scene for ourselves.

The real action comes after the camera cuts away.

Jesus had some pretty good writers—Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul. But the real writer of the Jesus story is The Holy Spirit, who does the writing after the camera has cut away. When we have said or done something stupid or embarrassing or awkward of dangerous, the camera cuts away, and we’re face to face with the risen Christ.

That’s what Lent is all about.

John Robert McFarland