Few things in life have the capacity to humble me so quickly and completely as does technology. Golf and tennis are strong contenders. In golf, I am the king of the "worm burners" - shots that never gain altitude but instead bounce haphazardly along the fairway. If a shot does take flight, which is rare, it will typically hook or slice directly into the woods. As for tennis, let's just say that backhands were impossible and serving even worse.
Anything requiring musical ability is sure to keep my ego in check. I was Crystal Dorsey's pastor at Lanier United Methodist Church in Cumming, Georgia for ten years. Crystal always sat on the back row beside her husband, Wes, who operated the sound system. Until one day when she moved to the very first row and took a seat directly in front of the pulpit.
After the service, I inquired as to why she relocated. "Well," she said. "You always tell us that you can't sing. So, I moved up close to see if you really are as bad as you say."
"OK," I said, tentatively. "Am I?"
"Nope," she replied, and before I could get to feeling too good, she added, "You're actually worse!"
OUCH.
I did notice that she returned to the back row the next Sunday, and there she remained until I moved to another congregation. And nobody took her place on the front row, either.
It's not just singing. Had I joined the school band, the director would have just gotten up and gone home to retirement in less than a week. Having no sense of rhythm, I can't dance, whether it's a fast or a slow tune. My wife made me take ballroom dancing lessons. Her feet have never been the same. I can't even clap along with a song, and I'm pretty sure I still have PTSD from doing hand motions with those Vacation Bible School songs as a kid.
Plenty of other things buffalo me. To name a few: giving myself a shot, balancing a checkbook, baking a cake, drawing anything more complicated than a stick figure, comprehending math beyond basic arithmetic. Here's more: anything that requires tools, including but not limited to, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, carpentry, masonry, and HVAC. I love the people who change my truck's oil, and I am forever indebted to the nice people at the auto parts store who replace my windshield wipers.
I don't ride horses or skateboards. I'm afraid the first will kick me and the second will break my neck. The horse might actually do both. Though I'm a son of rural Georgia, my family would starve if they depended on me to shoot doves for them. While I'm confessing my failings, I'll let you know the smallest mouse can send me running.
All these things, and many more, remind me of my limitations. But none so much as technology. I can only do the basics with my cellphone and my computer. I'm lost if something messes up. Cable and Wi-Fi are beyond me. Our TV remote is as well. Regina's car is a year old, and I still keep getting surprised by something the blooming thing does.
I share all this to explain why I haven't posted a blog in months. When my wix.com subscription ended, I couldn't figure out what to do about it. I knew I had a domain, but I didn't know what to do with it. So, the blog sat dormant.
It all could have been solved so easily by simply contacting customer service. But I resolved to do it myself, even though I really didn't know what I was doing. Did I mention that I can be a little hard-headed?
Sandra Haga, a member here of Fort Valley Methodist Church, got me moving in the right direction. Having just activated our church website, she had some experience and expertise that really came in handy. It turned out to be easier than I expected, once I got going. The real key was being willing to accept a helping hand.
That's a real-life parable about salvation, isn't it? We're incapable of fixing our sin problem, but we have to be humble enough to receive the help offered by God. More than mere help, He offers rescue from our hopeless predicament, all through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Now that's even better than solving a technology problem!
Love having you back sir!
Welcome back!!!❤️
Herb, you mentioned many things beyond your realm of expertise or abilities. What you didn’t mention, being the humble man you are, is that you do have a gift for writing/blogging! Please continue blogging for yourself and for those of us who look forward to reading your musings!
Herb, Enjoyed reading your message and glad you’re back on line. Hope you, Regina and the boys are all doing well. Karen Hoogstraal