Image is a powerful thing.  If you’ve googled it, you’ll likely not soon forget it… the dreaded Arby’s finger chunk.  I drove by and saw an empty Arby’s dining room and an empty drive through — another powerful image.

If you think about it, it really isn’t that big of a deal.  Of course it’s gross.  But it was an accident.  The finger chunk was in someone’s mouth!  But it was an accident.  Accidents happen at work all the time, like when I got the forklift stuck, or the time I accidentally put on a body harness and hooked on to the bay crane and defied gravity.  Well… that may not have been an accident.  Had I gotten caught, it would have been my last non-accident.  Dumb idea.  I don’t do that kind of stuff, now.

This relates to you and I. Accident or not, image is powerful.  Accidents still make statements which aren’t easy for people to forget, especially if they are the kind that inspire one of Letterman’s top ten lists.   I am charged with overseeing certain parts of the church.  This is why I am panicked about anything we hang above people’s heads (speakers, lights, etc).  I don’t want anyone to get hurt.  I don’t want anyone to stay away because of an accident.  I don’t like to think about it.  This is why we’ve got backup rigging and make it a practice to tighten bolts.  Check twice, then 3 more times.

Arbygate should be a warning to those who oversee.  Please, please, please be careful.  One smidge too close and the place will empty out, even when protocol was (pretty much) followed.

Okay, I’ve meddled enough.  Now… pass that delicious Horsey sauce.