Last Saturday, me and a friend from the hall decided to go to NC State Fair together. I have been told that the State fair is not a big deal in other areas of the country, but here in these parts, it means alot to us, expecially since we live in/near the capital city.
About the friend: He's a year younger than me, and we go to the same school. He thinks like I think, and is on his way out of the truth as well (although he's not as adamant as myself). His father recently left his mother, and has since been deemed "apostate". His mother remains "Strong" in the truth, and is supported by her sister, who's husband is a prominent elder in our congregation. This elder has 2 teenage daughters, both pioneers, one in technical college, and the other home schooling.
Back to the story.
So we get to the fair, and a few minutes after I get a phone call from one of the daughters. They basically said that they were coming to the fair to be with us. This was especially surprising for me since I remain "marked" in the congregation, and these golden girls are the last ones who would ever associate with me.
My best guess at this point is that elder dad has sent them on a recon mission to keep us straight.
Fast forward an hour.
We are sitting at a table, enjoying some deep-fired deliciousness when we get another call from them, demanding to know where we are in the fair. We tell them, and after several more phone calls, we meet up.
We exchange greetings, and looks. I did my best to convey "Iseeyouthreetimesaweekbutnowyouwantohangwithmewhy?" with my eyes.
One of the sisters murmurs some insulting remark, and that was it for me.
My friend must have read my mind, because we both got up, and walked away.
---------------------------------------------------
So Sunday (yesterday), I get home from work just as my mother does from the meeting. My phone rings and I see that it is brother Elder Dad calling.
I answer, and after exchanging bland greetings, he falls into telling me that I must be slipping back into my old ways (he was on my Judicial Committe BTW) because I clearly and obviously am rejecting good association (i.e. his daughters). He tells me that rejection of "good" association is just as bad as plain ole bad association. Then he goes into the cup of Joe and cup of demons speech.
When he finally paused, I gladly informed him that my refusal to associate with his daughters was not because of any qualms I have with Jehovah, but instead because I don't like his daughters. I refuse to associate with narrowminded, self-centered, self-righteous little brats like his daughters. I told him ,
"Me hating your daughters is not, and should not become a judicial matter. It is however, a judicial matter that you think that the inkling of power that you possess can be used to force me to associate with your asinine children."
Then I wished him the best, and told him I'd see him at book study.
