As many of my readers may have experienced, the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints are faithful evangelists. Their missionaries go door to door, making connections and sharing their faith. Years ago, a pair of young ladies stopped by to chat, and I invited them in, where they lounged in my family room while I folded my laundry and listened to them talk about their faith. I wasn’t looking for salvation, and I made it clear that I was happily and actively engaged with my own (ELCA) faith community. It didn’t deter them, however, and they still wanted that connection. I was curious about their experiences while evangelizing and had questions about many of the stereotypes I’ve heard over the years. That afternoon, we had a pleasant visit; they blessed me with a lovely prayer, and then continued on their way.
And that, my friends, is when I think my name went on “the list”. Now, the missionaries stop by on a regular basis. Mostly young men, but sometimes young women, and they are genuine in their offers to help with any projects I might have– shoveling (in the winter), garden help (in the summer), raking leaves (in the fall). Depending on the timing of their arrival, I used to invite them in for dinner, and we would share whatever simple meal I was preparing. It was a chance to hear each of their testimonies and have them share their experiences. It also dispelled some of the awkwardness of conversation between a screen door, and allowed us to embark on the shared camaraderie that comes from people who just want to see everyone around them happy, healthy and at peace. Inviting them in took away the ME and THEM mindset, and reminded me of US…. one people – flawed but faithful.
Sometimes their sense of propriety and my frankness make the conversations awkward, but they have always been polite, friendly and genuine in their desire to share their love of Jesus Christ and his gift of salvation to the world. Sometime in the last few years, someone with authority in the Missionary program put the kibosh on the shared meals, but we’ve sometimes worked around that by having ice cream together while talking and sharing faith.
But honestly, sometimes, I just don’t have the TIME or ENERGY or PATIENCE to be a kind and welcoming hostess. I DON’T want to answer the door, but I also refuse to feel like a hostage forced to hide in my own home until they give up knocking (or ringing the doorbell) and leave. (Sometimes, my car in the driveway is a dead giveaway, as is the music that might be pouring out of windows). And honestly, if I just tell them that I am not up for a visit, they will quickly and politely leave…. after asking if there is a better time that they could come back. And somehow, I just never have the heart to tell them “Please don’t come back.”
Yesterday was one of those times when I just didn’t FEEL like be welcoming or friendly, and I *almost* didn’t answer the door… but then I did, and it was two lovely ladies. Even though I was mortified by my unfinished dishes in the sink and the cluttered countertops, I invited them in anyway (and started rapidly washing dishes and cleaning my kitchen) while they shared their personal passion behind their missionary ministry. This time, I asked if I was on some sort of “list” (Yes, I am) and if being on that “list” is why new missionaries often stop by (yes, it is). And then I asked the questions I REALLY wanted answers to – like “Why do you invest all this time and energy in visiting someone who has proclaimed their faith and commitment to a different (Christian) denomination and has no interest in changing? And “Why not invest that time into visiting someone who has NO faith?” and then I asked the biggest question – “Is one of the reason so many of you stop by simply because I am friendly and nice and welcoming when so many others are not?” The ladies were very diplomatic, but didn’t give me a direct answer — I received something along the lines of “We are always excited to share our faith with other Christians, too, and hear how God is working in their lives.” It was a safe answer that didn’t address the “other” stories I’ve heard from people who laugh and brag about the horrible things they say to missionaries who visit– all in an effort to get them to go away and not come back.
Their visit passed quickly and we shared a blessing/prayer and then they were off to continue their ministry. And as they left, these are the thoughts that stayed with me, that I want to share with you:
Isn’t it funny (but actually not funny and mostly sad) how so many of us desire respect and courtesy and kindness, yet often do not give it to others who live, think or act differently than us, simply because we don’t agree with their belief or methodology?
And isn’t it sad how we quickly think of only ourselves and how we are being/feeling inconvenienced by these sporadic visits, rather than thinking with gratitude that somewhere out there, a pair of missionaries might be sharing a kind word with someone who would otherwise be feeling extremely lonely, and how their visit may well be a glimmer of hope to someone feeling lost and hopeless?
I appreciate their evangelism. I know they (or another pair of missionaries) will be back. Their visit may not always be convenient timing for me, but I am ok with that.
