A Mouthful

I have often heard priests and bishops say that whenever they fly wearing their collar, someone inevitably stops them to ask if they are a priest, share that they used to be Catholic, ask a question, or even ask for confession. When a stranger asks what I do, I tend to have a similar experience, minus the confessions (at least the sacramental kind). Usually, I welcome the conversation… when I’m able to have it.

A few weeks ago, I found myself in my least favorite confined seat: the dentist’s chair. As the hygienist prepared the tools, she asked me what I did for a living. I shared my occupation with her and the typical scene commenced. Was I priest? No. Was she Catholic? Yes, but hadn’t been to Mass since high school… As she scraped and suctioned my teeth, she then began peppering me with questions about everything from our new pope to CYO. I was waiting for the Council of Nicaea to be mentioned. I was enjoying our conversation, but the only problem was that her hands — and several dental tools — were in my mouth. I felt like pointing dramatically to indicate that this wasn’t really a good time for me to satisfy her curiosity. Instead, I grunted and tried to respond as clearly as Charlie Brown’s teacher.

The combination of the dental work with the inability to converse made the appointment feel more interminable than usual, and I left frustrated by the visit and grateful I wouldn’t have to return for another six months. A friend happened to call me on my way home and, with righteous indignation, I shared the plight I had just experienced. “Wow, did you offer to follow up with her?” my friend asked. Realizing the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind, I shared diplomatically that it wasn’t really my place to do so. My friend challenged me: “It wasn’t your place, or it wasn’t THE place?”

As my gums continued to throb from the cleaning, my heart did as well for missing the appointment God might have set up for me. I couldn’t help but think, in life and leadership, how often are the right conversations coming up at the “wrong” time? While I may not be able to engage someone when they want, do I make sure they know that it’s a conversation I want to have with them? In my prayer life, when I’m struggling to respond to the Lord, can I at least offer gratitude for His patience? We grow up learning not to talk with our mouths full. Do we also grow in our ability to give space to both swallow and stay engaged even when it doesn’t meet our timing?

I never look forward to the dentist, but six months from now I’m hoping I get the same hygienist. As we move into this new week and experience all the appointments God might be setting up for us, let’s be sure not to dismiss them, even if we have to delay them.