Tuesday, July 01, 2003

I'm NOT An Alcoholic... (July 2003)

This wasn't quite long enough to make it as an Adventure, but I thought I'd at least write it down and pass it off as an Adventurette. More things that could/would only happen to me.Today is my last day of training as a Teaching Fellow *rejoicing.* Much to my delight, I discovered another Christian in my class who attends the Brooklyn Tabernacle. This was a great relief, because most of the individuals in my class and professors in my school are quite.... um.... worldly. For example, my fellow classmates have no problem cursing in class. My teachers don't seem to really have a problem with it, and they show their lack of concern by cursing themselves. The future of America's children.

Last week, one of my classmates sent out an e-mail to us all saying, "Let's celebrate! After class Thursday we're all going to the Loki Lounge in Park Slope for Happy Hour." Amy got the email and thought "...hmm... Loki Lounge... Pastor Cymbala's Bible study... *weighs options*..." When some of my classmates asked me if I was coming, I just said "no, I can't come" and moved on. No problems whatsoever.

However, THIS week that same girl sent out another email saying "For those of you who missed it last week, never fear! We're going BACK to the Loki Lounge this Thursday to celebrate the last day of training! No homework to do-- come on out!" I, of course, had Pastor Cymbala's Bible study again, which was my "excuse." I got to class yesterday and my FA (Fellow Advisor) whom I absolutely ADORE was like "hey guys, I got your e-mail about Loki. So I thought... why not just have our last FA session AT Loki?? We're just doing discussion-type stuff anyway, so why not do it over a few drinks? First round's on me!"

*voice in Amy's head* noooooooooooooooooooooooo.......

Two things happened here. First, I was like "... yup, I'm gonna have to say something. Not going to a bar. Gonna have to make it an issue. REALLY don't want to make it an issue... but issue it is. MAN!" Second, I was like "hey that was kinda cool. As soon as Michelle said that we were going to Loki I immediately felt 'I'm not going.' That wouldn't have happened a couple of years ago. YAY HOLY SPIRIT! I love it when little things like that happen to me that remind me I'm really a Christian." ;-)

So after class, I asked Michelle if I could talk to her privately for a second. Note: Michelle is probably one of my favorite non-Christians in the entire world. Don't know why-- just love her to death. She was all set to come to the BTC concert last Sunday, but a family emergency came up. Satan, you're a jerk. Anyway, I went to talk to her, inwardly sighing "here comes the issue," and then I thought "hey, this is a great way to witness to her!! She knows that I'm at BT... maybe she'll put two and two together and realize that this is because of God that I'm not going! Woo hoo! Action witnessing!"

So I said "Michelle... I'm not comfortable going to a bar. I know it's part of our class and that I'm required to be there, but I just won't go to a bar." And she put her hands over her mouth and said "Oh my god, Amy, I'm SO SORRY. I TOTALLY meant to send out an email asking if anyone had a problem with this idea to email me privately, and I forgot... oh my god, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

I'm like "... dude. Either she's feeling convicted right now or else she just really has a lot of respect for my beliefs! Regardless, this is great!" I said "no, no, it's okay-- I'm not mad! I just wanted to know what I should do." Michelle said, "Don't come. It's totally fine, you won't be penalized, just don't come. Not a problem AT ALL. Amy, I'm so totally sorry." I'm like, "wow, God! You just really put it on her heart to understand-- thank You!!" Michelle said, "look, you don't have to explain anything to me at all. My sister goes to AA meetings, so I know that some people just can't enter into that kind of environment."

Amy: "...............hrumoaijoad?"

Michelle: "Seriously, I understand. Sometimes my fiancé yells at me if I take her anywhere NEAR a bar... I just wanted you to know that it's really totally cool."

*little voice inside* FIX IT!!!! FIX IT!!!! SHE THINKS YOU'RE AN ALCOHOLIC!!!! FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIX!!!!!!!!

TOTALLY SPEECHLESS. She left, profusely apologizing again, and I was left standing there in the middle of the hallway with my mouth open. Nicole (the other Christian in my class) came up to me and said "um, what are you doing?" I responded, "Michelle thinks I'm an alcoholic." Nicole almost peed herself laughing.

That's all, folks.