Making a First Impression

It was a Saturday morning. I, through the luck of the stars, found that my nose would not stop running. I could not stop sneezing. I was miserable and angry.

It wasn't a cold. I think it was some sort of allergy. It happens occasionally in the winter. The house gets dry and the dust begins to fly. Static electricity builds up and everyone is sending about 10,000 volts to each other every time they touch, sometimes on purpose of course. In fact, I rubbed the youngest on my head and stuck him to the wall like a balloon, but I digress.

My eyes were red. Every time I picked up a tissue, more dust would fly, my nose would run and the sneezes continue. Then I remembered what I did the last time this happened. The last time I was this miserable I took a shot of Tequila and within 15 minutes all the mess was gone. Seriously, I wasn't just warm all over, the nose quit running, the sneezing stopped and life was good.

However, that was one afternoon a few weeks back. Now, it was Saturday morning before 10:00 am. Oh well, thought I. It wasn't a morning that we expected any customers at the bookstore and I couldn't take it anymore. I took my shot.

Twenty minutes later I was still red-eyed, sneezing, and wiping my nose. I heard a knock at the basement door. Who could that be, thought I as I walked down the steps. Customers usually came in the other door which had a bell attached to it, but this person was knocking on the front door of the basement.

I looked out of the large glass double doors to see a large black man in suit and tie. "May I help you," I said. "Yes, could I tell you a little about Jesus?", said the man. "Sure", I sniffed.

What an impression I must have made on this poor Jehovah's Witness. Bloodshot eyes, puffy face, in my sweatpants, kids running wild upstairs, and smelling of Tequila all before 10:30 am. You never do get a second chance to make a first impression.

I can only imagine the conversation with the other "missionaries" in the car as they drove to the next house. One of them probably lost a bet that morning.