She approached me just before the service started and said, “I want to give you some feedback from what you said last week. It’s good to get feedback.” At that moment, I had that funny feeling in my stomach that said, “Oh boy, what did I say that needs to be corrected? And why now?” As everything went into slow motion, my mind worked overtime trying to figure out what I said that might have been controversial or problematic. I couldn’t think of anything.
Those who have been in ministry for any length of time, have probably had the same type of negative experience. You know, the kind where a person feels obligated to approach you and tell you that you didn’t say something well, or that they disagree with what you said. That’s what “feedback” usually means. And, this almost always occurs just moments before the service is supposed to start, or when you are in the middle of something that needs your undivided attention.
“Something you said last week has stuck with me all week. I was really challenged when you told us that we need to be conscientious of how we speak to God and others. I really needed that reminder. Thanks.”
In a rare use of the word “feedback,” she wanted to compliment and thank me for something I said the week before. Some days you just need that type of feedback.
Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (ESV)
Due to the personal nature of prayer, even at a large public venue, I try to be discreet in taking photographs at The Wall. I realize that some people don’t want their picture taken at all, while others, for the sake of public appearance, pretend to not want their pictures taken. Others don’t mind at all, and sometimes even ask to have their picture taken. I ran into such a situation on my last photo shoot at The Wall: some wanted me to take pictures, others didn’t.
Suddenly from behind me on the right a wave of men dressed in the standard issue black and white uniform flowed toward The Wall in a way I had never seen before. In the front of that wave of people was an elderly man whom I could tell was the reason for the crowd and the anxiety. The crowd that was already at The Wall opened up to allow this apparently holy man to approach The Wall in the way I envision the Red Sea opening up to allow Moses and the children of Israel to pass. As soon as I saw the wave of people moving in from my right, I got to my feet and tried to position myself for some good shots of whatever it was that was happening. But I was too late because just as quickly as the wall of people opened, it closed, and the special guest was sealed inside, safely within the admiration of his followers and protected from people like me.
The crowd continued to swell as word of the man’s arrival spread. I could feel myself being pushed further and further away from the guest of honor, but I was determined to find an open view of that man, whoever he was. I moved around the mob, first left, then right, looking for a view. Finally, on the far right, I was able to weave my way in front of some of the more timid onlookers and see him, face close to the wall, prayer book in hand, moving back and forth as he prayed.
Perhaps the most interesting thing in the whole process, was that a group of teenagers had made their way close to the elderly man and were serving, for lack of a better word, as his posse. It seemed that their responsibility was to keep people like me at a distance, or at least block my view. And once they saw me raise my camera, they went into action. They never approached me, they simply crowded together in a way that blocked my view. Well, most of the time. They were in a dilemma: should they give more attention to me, or to praying with their leader? So, as they bobbed back and forth in prayer, occasionally looking back over their shoulders as a warning to me, they occasionally gave me clear views of The Man.
As I sat thinking about that brief conversation, another of the “Holy Man’s” admirers approached me. However, unlike the previous fan of The Man, with a big smile on his face the second man asked, “Did you get some good pictures of him?” “Yes,” I answered. “Do you know who He is?” “No, perhaps you can tell me,” I offered. “He’s a very famous teacher. Do you think you got some good pictures?” “Yes,” I assured him. “Well, if you got some good pictures, would you send me a couple? You should try to get some more. Try from the other side and send those to me, too.” I entered my phone number in his mobile phone so that he could give me an address because neither of us had a pen or paper. He seemed really happy at the prospects of getting some photos of the “Holy Man” praying at The Wall at Passover. However, he never called. So, I guess if he reads this, he can see some of the photos he missed.