Pierced...Deservedly So
I stink.
This I mean both figuratively and literally.
I returned moments ago from my daily walk and I can smell me. I once had a biology teacher who said, "If you can smell yourself...bathe!"
Not to worry I plan to do that momentarily - and if Amy comes home while I'm writing then it'll be even sooner.
However I had to quickly stop everything and apologize to Matt Robison and his family, because what I did to them stinks worse.
A couple of days ago I posted a sort of tongue-in-cheek thing mocking Matt a bit for his decision to break the world "body piercing" record. I really didn't mean anything by it but I wrote the words that if I met Matt "I would turn away." It was a bad phrase, a stupid thing to say, and something I didn't mean then or now. It was essentially a transitional phrase to get into his story.
At least I thought so.
Until I came home from my walk and noticed a new comment on that piece.
So you don't have to scroll back and leave me mid-post, this is what is says:
Anonymous said...
I wouldn't turn away from Matt. You know why? He's my son. As God's children we are not to turn away from anyone. Matt know's a lot about the Bible. He was a top Bible quizzer in his younger days with spending 8 years in Bible quizzing.
I can't really tell you why he did this. In his defense, he started on this months ago. He started on this project and saw it through to the end. His mom and I are proud of the fact he went through with it and was able to set a new record. Did we agree? No. He is our son and we love him and will always be there for him. Yes, we are excited for him.
Thanks.
Sam Robison
Ouch! Talk about being pierced! My own words feel like daggers stuck in places you don't puncture on purpose. So I couldn't even wait 10 minutes to post this apology. Every word Matt's father wrote rings true and I'm thankful that he took the time to write.
I'm assuming he found my puny little blog via a search engine while looking up reports of his son's feat. I've been guilted by Google.
Seriously, please know I meant no harm, but I do apologize.
And thank you Sam Robison. You've given me a well deserved reminder that this Lenten season I should spend more time looking inward and less time looking out.
"Judge not, that you be not judged."
That's from the Bible...the book of Matthew. Something I bet Matt Robison already knows.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
6 Comments
6 Comments:
One thing I've always admired about you Michael, is that you're not afraid to eat a slice of humble pie once in a while, or admit to mistakes.
It is one reason that though I've never met you face to face I have so very much respect for you.
Thanks for the apology Michael!! That really touches my heart and I can tell you mean it. I too have a lot of respect for someone like you who can apologize in pretty much an unapologetic world.
It means a lot to myself and Matt's mother. This whole thing has really opened my eyes to a lot of different things. Thanks so much!! May God richly bless you!!
Oh yeah, I didn't Google you, I Yahoo'd you!! (just joking!!)
Sam Robison
Mr. & Mrs. Robison (and Matt):
As Michael's wife, I've been on the receiving end of his apologies and trust me, they're sincere.
He has written beautiful words both here (for the whole world to read) and on paper (for my eyes only). I have some of the most beautiful love letters that would make any woman swoon (one of which included the line that went something like this, "I've worked hard to earn the image of a sarcastic, caustic schmuck... I'll thank you not to ruin that for me." This was before we were married, in fact, I think we had just begun dating... but the rest of the letter pretty much made it impossible for me to look any further for "the perfect man." But none of his friends knew he was a closet romantic.
I hope you will read more of what he has written over the last few years. He is a tender, gentle, godly man. And he makes me laugh.
And he didn't kick me out of the house because I got another hole in my ear. In fact, as I mentioned in my comment about Matt (but in my defense, not Matt's), he noticed the big red bottle of ear-care solution before he noticed the cartilage piercings.
God bless your family. If we ever have the privilege of meeting, we'll look at Matt's scars and, after thinking "OUCH!" we'll remember this, laugh, and perhaps become friends.
Amy Main
Yes Amy, perhaps we'll do just that!! I really appreciate your comments. I can usually tell in the way a person writes if they are sincere or not and Michael was, no doubt in my mind.
If we never meet on this side, may we meet on the other side in heaven!! If we by chance do meet on this side, it will be a blessing!! Thanks again so very much. Matt says, "Hey". (for Matt, that means "Hi".
Sam Robison
Dear Michael: I've just read your remarks on Marked Up Matt and his parents reply. I also recall your daughter's remarks as she left for college reassuring you that you had taught her to make good decissions. It appears Matt has yet to learn that we do not not earn uniqueness based on appearences but by developing humility and integrity. Your retraction saddened me.
Dear Anonymous: First off it was our son who remarked to Amy about making good decisions. If our son had gone the path of Matt...we would still love him, just as his father does.
It's that lesson that I hope our son learned from us, forgiveness and grace, that also allows me to leave your post and not delete it.
Go in peace, live in grace...
Michael
Post a Comment
<< Home