When I worked I had a friend that ignored many many calls, from collection agencies. Filing for bankruptcy solved that for her.
Well the other day, I ignored a door-bell and a knock....
Let's back up a bit.
When we lived in Durango, on our way to church we would drive by this large church. They would have signs up about the latest band that was going to be there and come and rock with us this Sunday. My husband sometimes would comment about this and I would often remark-well at least they believe in Jesus and are going to a church. I figure the more people with good morals that believe in a Savior, even if it isn't exactly what I believe-then the better off this world will be.
So a few months back when two young girls came to my door and wanted to share a message with me, I was polite and listened to their message. After all, my husband did serve a LDS mission and I have heard plenty of stories of really rude people slamming doors, throwing things, etc. So a few minutes listening cannot hurt.
{image found here}Yesterday the doorbell rang. I hurried over to the door, looked out the peep-hole and yep... you know who it was. What did I do next, I slowly slid back from the door.. checked to make sure my blinds were shut so I knew they hadn't seen me.. and just walked away, actually I tip-toed as you know walking in socks can be so noisy.
And yeah, I might just be feeling a bit guilty.... but hey we could have been at the store or park or something right? Or maybe I was helping wipe one of my kids butts after a messy poop cause I still do that you know.
So sorry ladies, I ignored you. You are kind and sincere, and I probably will open the door for you next time. But I love my faith, I love my religion... so if you are trying to save me, well my Savior and I are already working on that.
Oh, this sounds all too familiar! You're in California now, and the people down there are persisitent about this sort of thing. That's why all growing up I just had to cut them off at the beginning of their speech and respectfully say, "no I'm not interested" and shut the door. They are nice but determined and if you listen to so much as a minute of what they have to say, you can bet they'll be back.
ReplyDeleteYou are a better person than I am. I have the feelings that I should listen for the same reason as yours, but I still politely excuse myself after they tell me who I am. Where I'm at the are very good about it. I always tell them thank you for sharing your message though. I'm with you, the more people that have God in their lives the better the world will be. But I do always feel guilty.
ReplyDeleteAnd you still wipe for your kids, you poor, poor thing.
I had some come and talk to me and they probably thought I was receptive, but when they asked if I would like them to come back I said no. I haven't had them come back since. Sorry you have some pesky ones.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I feel your pain! But I too think about our missionaries, and so I try to have kind thoughts as well.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel guilty!
I understand once, maybe twice, but come on, enough is enough. If you were some heathen who wasn't a believer, they would maybe have a reason to come back. One time, I was nursing my three week old and the doorbell rang. I coved myself with a blanket and answered it. It was a Jehovah's Witness and after about 30 seconds, he figured out the baby was nursing, turned beet red and ran. Literally. Come on, dude, that's what God made them for.
ReplyDeleteI try to listen to them, too, having been there on the other side of the door. It's okay to not answer, I'm sure they figured you were out. Although, We could tell when someone looked through the peep hole and just didn't answer the door. Not to worry you further or anything! hahahha
ReplyDeleteI had a lady come to our door last week and I listened to her whole talk too. I don't think I'd be thrilled if she came back though. You might just have to answer next time and tell them you are done with their visits. Hmmm, easy for me to say!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!
Just the other day I had some come to my door, but they were looking for Spanish speaking people. Oh well. I do feel for them though.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said at the end! So very true.
It's not so much as the people who call, it's the annoying phone calls that are trying to sell me something that I don't need, but I have learned to say "No, thank you!" and hung up now. But now I get at least six e-mails a day from some African guy saying that since all my family were killed in a plane crash back in 2000, and that I was left 10 million American dollars!
ReplyDeleteVery insensitive considering what happened last Christmas!
You are so much nicer than I am! I won't even listen to them. I shoot them down right away.
ReplyDeleteI am always happy when I see them walking up the street as I drive away.
ReplyDeletehats off to you and your conscience. i never answer and when i do it is only to say as quickly as possible "the only thing we are interested in currently is that our dogs stop barking before the babies are awakened" "the dogs bark when people are at the door"
ReplyDeleteI had totally ignored the door before which is very difficult in my house, we have large windows along the front.
ReplyDeleteI do my best to be polite.
ReplyDeleteI once tried to teach some truths to them. One of the ladies began to question what she was talking about. I do not recommend doing this.
Better to just quietly tip toe away from the door.
We have the same people come to our house too. We always politely listen and say not interested....they arent nearly as persistant as those that come to your door though!
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm out in the boonies, I don't get it anymore, but I used to. Never as many times as you though! I always found the conversations interesting, but they never swayed me from my own faith and belief system in God.
ReplyDeleteWe had a JW one time that really creeped us out. The entry to our apartment was a little weird and while my husband was talking to him the guy kept trying to hold the door open, which my husband was already doing, and he stuck his foot in a position that would make my husband unable to close the door! I wouldn't answer the door if my husband wasn't home and eventually they stopped coming. He was just a bit too forceful.
ReplyDeleteWe have a group that comes around our neighborhood...when my baby was born, they rang the doorbell four times and knocked three times...dog is freaking out and all...they wake the baby...there is screaming and they ask if I have a moment...I almost hurt them.
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny! You were very nice to listen twice. I wonder why they kept coming back. We live so far out in the country no one ever comes to our house. I think in the 13.5 years I've lived out here, we've had ONE visit. LOL Guess they decided our area wasn't a good area to fill their quota.
ReplyDeleteEmmy, thanks for taking time to leave a comment on BBD today. If you ever do load Elements and can't figure out a good work flow, feel free to email me. I've been learning by leaps and bounds lately.