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| Did I Say That?Dear Friends: Remember that game "telephone"? You sit in a circle, and someone whispers something to the next person, who whispers it to the next person, and on around the circle. The fun of the game is to see how closely the end message resembles the original one or how radically it has changed. Sometimes I feel as though I am caught in a strange variation of the telephone game one in which all the messages begin with the words, "Pastor April said." As in, "Pastor April said I could..." or "Pastor April said you should..." or "Pastor April said we have to...." I suppose if the words following "Pastor April said" are brilliant and life-changing in a positive way, then I don't mind having them attributed to me. But when the words bear no resemblance to anything I remember saying (or that I might in fact disagree with) AND when they don't seem terribly helpful, I must admit to feeling a bit frustrated. I guess it could be considered flattering if some people think I have such authority that claiming "Pastor April said" will add weight and importance to their words. But actually, I find myself concerned that someone might believe I really said some of those things that the speaker maybe only WISHES I had said. I know I am not the only person who sometimes finds herself misquoted or falsely attributed. I think it's part of the risk of being human. One friend has suggested instituting a code. "You'll know I said it if the code word is attached to the message," she proposed. I'm choosing instead to issue a plea. My plea is this: check with the source. Not just if "Pastor April said..." but if ANYBODY is reputed to have said something that seems odd or hurtful or inconsistent with what you know of that person, then don't automatically assume the quotation is correct. Taking the time to verify information with the person being quoted could save distress, mistakes, confusion, or heartache at work, at home, or with friends. As a final clarification, let me assure you that if anyone tries to tell you, "Pastor April said I could sit on this bench in the church courtyard and drink beer," then that person is sadly mistaken! As to anything else that somebody tells you I said, you'll have to use your own good judgment OR check with me! If I said it and meant it, I'll stand behind it. If I said it and shouldn't have, I'll apologize! Thanks for listening, Pastor April |
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