An Awkward Moment

April 1 2022

Have you ever said something to someone and you unintentionally offend them? Instantly after speaking the words, you knew what you had done. It probably made you feel like you wanted to crawl under a rock. At the same time, you felt remorseful. What a horrible feeling! It creates an awkward moment.

I distinctly remember at a company function, I went up to a coworker who I had not seen in a while. The last time I saw her, she and her husband were expecting their first child. As we were talking I inquired about the due date of her baby. She politely smiled and replied her baby was now five months old. I could tell from the expression on her face as well as her body language, I had offended her. I didn’t know what to say after that. I was so embarrassed I wanted to run and hide. I didn’t mean to insult her and believe me I learned a very valuable lesson from that experience.

I was at the drive thru bank the other day and presented my deposit to the teller. He is a very good guy and we always exchange pleasantries. On that particular day I asked him how he was doing and said it looks like we have another beautiful day ahead of us. He said “yes and it is good to be up and not down”. What he was implying was that it was good be alive and not dead and six feet under. When he made that statement I could tell he thought about what he had just said and felt bad about it. He knew my wife and was aware she had recently passed unexpectedly. He was also her favorite person to use in the drive thru. I didn’t react because I knew what he said was unintentional. I am sure after I pulled off he said something to his coworker and/or chastised himself.

I was having lunch with a couple of friends, and one said to the other, “being alive is better than the alternative”. There was a complete hush, but I never looked up. I could tell the friend who spoke those words realized he was being a little insensitive. We moved on from that discussion, but it certainly created a very awkward moment.

Finally, I was in an airport in Miami Florida. I visited what I thought was the Men’s restroom. As I exited and was now a few feet away, this woman kept staring at me, but I didn’t know why. Her penetrating stare caused me to feel uncomfortable so I looked back and I realized I had just come out of the Women’s restroom. A tree (large plant) sitting in the entrance of the restroom had blocked my view of “Wo” (of Women) so all I saw was Men. This was a very awkward moment and I hurried to my gate and hid among the other passengers.

Throughout life we will find ourselves encountering awkward moments. We will be the initiator of some and at times the victim. When possible, let’s apologize for our unintentional offenses. During those times when it is too difficult to apologize because it might make matters worse, let’s talk to God about those situations and ask for forgiveness. Then we have to forgive ourselves and move on.

God looks on the heart of every man and He knows our every intent. That makes those awkward moments easier to bear.