The Rough, Tough, Unfriendly Angel From God
(Just finished “The Last Leaf”, a short story by O Henry. It's in the public domain, readily available on the internet, and you can read it in 5 minutes. Here are some thoughts about one of the subjects in this fine little story.)
Old Behrman is a rough character, sometimes intimidating, and probably the last person to ever be called an angel. He drinks too much, and regularly spices his conversation with a hard edge. He is an artist who never actually paints, always talking of the masterpiece soon to be produced. And then, Behrman does something amazing. With a profound and seemingly out-of-character event of self-giving, he forfeits his life with an act of foolish and pure love. I will not go into the details- you can read the story yourself.
I've known people like Behrman. They will talk rough, and have no time or personality for niceties. And just when you think they do not care, they will do something amazing.
Mr. Fogg, in Michigan, was like that. He was a rough and irritating man, who did many kind things in secret for others, intended by him to not be applauded or even noticed. He was big and loud and seemed to rub everybody the wrong way. He made church business meetings into a slow torture, especially for this minister who was trying to conduct the meetings. Many times I'd try to sit down and understand this hard man. One time I preached a sermon entitled, “Dealing With Difficult People”. Afterward he met me at the door and said, “When you preached that sermon, you were probably thinking about me. Preacher, I had you in mind.” The pastor who followed me mounted a campaign to dismiss this man from the church. He sent out letters and called special meetings for the express purpose. When I found out about it, I was quite saddened, and immediately called Mr. Fogg to apologize for such totally inappropriate behavior. I told him that he and I may have disagreed about alot, but we were brothers in Christ, and I would never want to treat him in such a way. Mr. Fogg did not know what to say. Like I said, he was basically incapable of friendly words. Since then, he would sometimes call me “out of the blue” just to talk. And when I travelled up to Michigan several years ago, he went to great effort to meet with me for dinner.
The old saying ins true, “You can't judge a book by it's cover.” Some people, even rough and seemingly unlikable people, can perform amazing acts of pure love. Like Old Berman, and Old Fogg.
Do you know someone like this?
03.28.06 (7:35 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
babe4Jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
03.28.06 (3:52 pm)
Poor Mr. Fogg!
A girl on my tennis team makes some really rude remarks alot, but she means them in sarcasm, except it's all truth. It comes out really rude, and I'm afraid I'm going to start coming across like she does because I use sarcasm like she does sometimes. I gotta quit that.
posted by:
yellowsubmarine (
reply)
post date:
03.28.06 (4:34 pm)
i know i do that on purpose sometimes..maybe the people who are tough are like that cause they dont really know how to let their guard down and be vulnerable. and its hard to look past the very rough exterior and see the person.
i wont be surprised if mr fogg (is phileas fogg the guy who went around the world in 80 days?) considers you to be one of his very few, if not only, friend.
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
03.28.06 (4:34 pm)
I think all of us probably know someone like this. I like meeting people like this, it sort of renews my faith in humanity.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.28.06 (5:57 pm)
Reply to: babe4Jesus55
Sarcasm is thought to imply a witty and smart person. But, like you say, so often it comes across as mean and petty. This person is not trying to be mean. If you were a good friend, maybe you could give her some very needed advice about this.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.28.06 (5:59 pm)
Reply to: yellowsubmarine
I was his pastor 18 years ago. At the time I was just too immature to try to forge a genuine friendship with him. I thought he was mean. Really, now I know he had a good heart, but just a lousy personality. I think I'll try to find out if he is still around.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.28.06 (6:00 pm)
Reply to: FinalyFree
Nice to see a good heart underneath a rough exterior. Makes you think lots of people are such.
posted by:
bacardibreezer (
reply)
post date:
03.28.06 (10:51 pm)
Yes, I think sometimes I am like that. Hehe...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.29.06 (3:02 am)
If you are like this fellow, you drive people crazy on a regular and ongoing basis. And there are more than a few who would like to ....uh...put ex-lax in your coffee.
posted by:
ruined (
reply)
post date:
03.30.06 (2:13 am)
Wow... this post goes in parallel with my post on how I have been ejected from several churches because of "who I am". Not that I'm a grating personality. It's just I'm "dark" person... or so I come across that way.
posted by:
supremeanna (
reply)
post date:
03.30.06 (3:52 am)
LOL. I *am* like this. I want to be nice to people, but I find it so hard to find the right words (although in writing, I seem to be able to do it), and people tend to think I'm more callous than I am. I think yes, I'm mean to an extent, but I love deeply and I fight for those I love and I think the people closest to me know this. It's hard when people judge you, but I just think, "Heck, I do it too, can I blame them?" I've tried to stop, but it's hard.
posted by:
mimi (
reply)
post date:
03.30.06 (5:35 am)
hey, pastor dave! April is HOME!!!!
Please keep her in your prayers as I know this is the only reason she is doing so well...and thanks.
xoxo
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.30.06 (7:51 am)
Reply to: mimi
Very good news. Important progress, and great affirmation to your faith and love. Keep us posted on how she is doing, and we will continue to pray and look for continued good things. God bless.
posted by:
linda fogg bitner (
reply)
post date:
03.01.07 (5:44 pm)
i enjoyed you speach about dad you have come a long way since belleville. just to let you know that the old guy is still around.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.01.07 (7:42 pm)
Reply to: linda fogg bitner
Wow. Linda, is that you? It has been forever since I have heard from you. How in the world did you find me in this vast cyberspace?
Now, what would make you think I am writing of your dad? Hah! I would love to make contact with him, and the rest of you. Please e-mail me at lylebunch at hotmail dot com (Can't actually type it out, or the tBlog censors will zap it!) I think often of all the good folks of Belleville. God bless!
