Cadence Closing Off the Noise. Christmastime, 2012.
“Who Was Talking About You?”
The more I see of this big old world, the more grateful I become for anonymity. Famous folks have to navigate cameras and microphones, especially at the most important moments of their lives. I don’t. Thankfully. No reporter stood at the curb to ask me about the mumbled vows on my wedding day. Not a single paparazzo shoved a microphone under my nose the day my daughter was born.
That means I can say crazy things without fear of the sound bite. Famous people like Richard Sherman don’t have that luxury. His adrenalin-fueled tirade after a football game Sunday night was recorded for posterity. In case you didn’t see it:
Reporter Erin Andrews’ question struck a nerve. She asks him, “Who was talking about you?”
And I realize, all of a sudden, how often I defend myself against accusations that nobody makes. I tell myself stories, you see. Stories to excuse myself of selfishness. We only sponsor one Compassion kid so we can focus our prayers, correspondence and gifts. Right.
Stories to deflect claims of laziness. Sure, I should call my dad more often, but I’m so tired at the end of the day. Um-hmm.
Stories to fend off charges of impatience. I should have paid closer attention, but I had a headache and he droned on and on. Sure.
There’s a twisted arrogance to the supposition that folks are watching and commenting on my actions.
Because I’m no NFL star.
I live life cozy in the luxurious cloak of anonymity. It’s a present, really. One I should unwrap and embrace.
2 “There is no one holy like the Lord,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
3 “Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.1 Samuel 2:2-3 (NASB)
I love you simply for knowing who Richard Sherman is. Most of my friends would just say, “who?”
You’re too kind, Carolyn. Really.
(I’m not a football fan, though I gave birth to one!)
Sheila, as a Seattleite I was embarrassed for Sherman when he went off like that and made some assumptions of my own about his character. Then my daughter posted this yesterday on Facebook and it changed my mind…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/isaac-saul/what-richard-sherman-taught-us_b_4631980.html
Isn’t it ‘interesting’ how God can speak to us through the oddest things (if we’re listening.)
Thank you for your honesty.
Jody, thanks for that! God never wastes a hurt–or a rant, it would appear. 😉
Totally. I say those sorts of Sherman things in my head very often. (I’ll show you!) That poor guy may well be crazy, but yeah, me, too.
Oh, me too, Brandee. Me too.
It’s very easy to sit on one’s butt and type out something hateful on a computer.
Easy, and sadly, quite popular as well. Thanks, Nance.