A few years back on good Friday I hoisted up the black chalk board sign with what was probably the most controversial sign I had ever written.
Over the years everyone has laughed, cried, been offended or really thought about the quotes that have been displayed. Everything from poking fun at tourism on August long weekend to the spring cleaning tip of burning down your house and of course words of inspiration and courage. For the most part, this sign has done its job. In a market like Naramata you cannot rely on a proper business plan like the one you take to the bank. Naramata is different, and my business needed something that would put me on the map and earn the support of the people of Naramata.
However, the sign I hung up on that Friday, was by far one of the most interesting from an anthropological point of view. As many of you know I am fascinated with human behaviour. I also grew up in a Christian home with a pastor as a father, I knew full well how risky this sign would be. I was just too curious to see what would happen. What unfolded over the weekend was truly inspirational and unexpected.
"I hope you have a better good Friday than Jesus did" ... is what the sign read.
Of course the sign works opposite to tripadvisor. Most people are apt to spread a negative comment about your food than a positive one. They say it takes 10 good compliments to wipe out one bad. I have found with the sign this concept is backwards. Most people feel comfortable telling me they like the sign and those who struggle with a quote and come to express that to me are the minority. However over the years I have had some very strong people stand up to me about a variety of quotes I've posted. I respect their strength, passion and determination. After all, I myself was once told while playing "settlers of catan" that I was a red head who had control of her emotions. So I can't help but value the individuals who desire to speak their mind and stand up for a different perspective.
This particular sign however, launched an absolutely fascinating journey for me to witness. Discussion at the little church on the corner of Robinson and third was colourful and vibrant on Easter Sunday morning and from those I spoke to they expressed that they appreciated a sign that could inspire such valuable conversation.
Of course there were those who felt the sign offended their faith. One woman who has never ordered pizza from us came in and exuberantly spoke to me for 10 minutes about how horrible I was and that the sign was as offensive as if I wrote "I hope you have a better day than the victims of 911" ... on 911. Ouch. I made very little response as I have learned over the years some people don't want to hear what you have to say in response, so I let her really give it me. When she was done she turned on her heal and left. I began to cry. Rocky came to the door and tried to cheer me up about how effective the sign is that at least I got her through the door! Yet I still cried.
As I wept, my heart was so heavy. I began to remember each person that I had a discussion with that weekend. I reminisced the handful of people that shared with me their experience of growing up in church but hadn't thought of Jesus for years. I realized that my spirit was broken for those who could not see past religious agenda. Because you see the quote, which in fact is a common opening remark for sermons or greetings on good Friday, offended those who claim to spread the good news about Jesus, and they neglected to see how effectively it was doing just that. Instead of seeing the good work the quote was doing they crucified it.
Life can be so interesting. We see through a glass darkly. When we choose to only see things from our own perspective we so often become hypocrites that behave in the very manner that we judge.
What was so interesting for me to witness was how this simple chalk board sign suddenly took on the life of Christ. I know that there is many differing opinions about who Christ was or is, and perhaps that could be a good conversation for another time, but we don't need to get side tracked by that right now. What we do know is that Jesus created controversy and conversation ... just like the sign did that weekend.
And so, I just felt that this story could be shared this Easter weekend and especially in light of our political and religious battles that seem to surround us today. It is a story that I will forever remember and share with those who are willing to hear it. I do hope everyone has a better good Friday than Jesus did, because you see even if the day was good or bad, I can still hope you have a better one.
Godspeed
Over the years everyone has laughed, cried, been offended or really thought about the quotes that have been displayed. Everything from poking fun at tourism on August long weekend to the spring cleaning tip of burning down your house and of course words of inspiration and courage. For the most part, this sign has done its job. In a market like Naramata you cannot rely on a proper business plan like the one you take to the bank. Naramata is different, and my business needed something that would put me on the map and earn the support of the people of Naramata.
However, the sign I hung up on that Friday, was by far one of the most interesting from an anthropological point of view. As many of you know I am fascinated with human behaviour. I also grew up in a Christian home with a pastor as a father, I knew full well how risky this sign would be. I was just too curious to see what would happen. What unfolded over the weekend was truly inspirational and unexpected.
"I hope you have a better good Friday than Jesus did" ... is what the sign read.
Of course the sign works opposite to tripadvisor. Most people are apt to spread a negative comment about your food than a positive one. They say it takes 10 good compliments to wipe out one bad. I have found with the sign this concept is backwards. Most people feel comfortable telling me they like the sign and those who struggle with a quote and come to express that to me are the minority. However over the years I have had some very strong people stand up to me about a variety of quotes I've posted. I respect their strength, passion and determination. After all, I myself was once told while playing "settlers of catan" that I was a red head who had control of her emotions. So I can't help but value the individuals who desire to speak their mind and stand up for a different perspective.
This particular sign however, launched an absolutely fascinating journey for me to witness. Discussion at the little church on the corner of Robinson and third was colourful and vibrant on Easter Sunday morning and from those I spoke to they expressed that they appreciated a sign that could inspire such valuable conversation.
Of course there were those who felt the sign offended their faith. One woman who has never ordered pizza from us came in and exuberantly spoke to me for 10 minutes about how horrible I was and that the sign was as offensive as if I wrote "I hope you have a better day than the victims of 911" ... on 911. Ouch. I made very little response as I have learned over the years some people don't want to hear what you have to say in response, so I let her really give it me. When she was done she turned on her heal and left. I began to cry. Rocky came to the door and tried to cheer me up about how effective the sign is that at least I got her through the door! Yet I still cried.
As I wept, my heart was so heavy. I began to remember each person that I had a discussion with that weekend. I reminisced the handful of people that shared with me their experience of growing up in church but hadn't thought of Jesus for years. I realized that my spirit was broken for those who could not see past religious agenda. Because you see the quote, which in fact is a common opening remark for sermons or greetings on good Friday, offended those who claim to spread the good news about Jesus, and they neglected to see how effectively it was doing just that. Instead of seeing the good work the quote was doing they crucified it.
Life can be so interesting. We see through a glass darkly. When we choose to only see things from our own perspective we so often become hypocrites that behave in the very manner that we judge.
What was so interesting for me to witness was how this simple chalk board sign suddenly took on the life of Christ. I know that there is many differing opinions about who Christ was or is, and perhaps that could be a good conversation for another time, but we don't need to get side tracked by that right now. What we do know is that Jesus created controversy and conversation ... just like the sign did that weekend.
And so, I just felt that this story could be shared this Easter weekend and especially in light of our political and religious battles that seem to surround us today. It is a story that I will forever remember and share with those who are willing to hear it. I do hope everyone has a better good Friday than Jesus did, because you see even if the day was good or bad, I can still hope you have a better one.
Godspeed
