hand out

So I was all set to write a blog about what JK Rowling refers to as, "insufferable know-it-alls" and then, after today's events at service, changed my mind.

Do you guys feel that being solicited, while at church, is inappropriate?

I'm not talking about tithing. Or being asked for donations or an offering. I'm talking about straight up SOLICITING. Here's the details:

Chatting up our musical program director after service, I'm about to leave when I'm approached by the crazy lady. You know the one. She talks along during the prayers, sits by herself - doesn't always seem to be paying attention. Sleeps. Rocks back and forth, but in general seems pretty harmless. I've only ever seen her once, but our congregation is large enough that interacting with anybody is optional if you want it to be.

But apparently seemed to be my day of wearing the 'SUCKER!' sign on my forehead. She totally caught me off guard, half the time I couldn't even tell what she was saying. I heard something about either her or Jesus being crucified on a cross. I also heard about her giving her prayers and time to the Church for FREE. I mean, DUH lady. I hate to be all unspiritual, but DUH, we all give our prayers for free. Although, she does seem to have her personal elevator pitch down pat.

Anyhow, so after three minutes of being bombarded with information that I could barely hear I got all this, "Blah blah blah, can you give me a dollar for a cup of coffee or something? Because I have nothing and I'm giving my time to this church for free."

Wha? Ok, so first of all - that's the point of service. I mean we tithe, so in all honesty we give back to the Church what we can afford to give (hence my tithe of $4). We give instead of receiving. And it just felt dirty. Like she was playing on my guilt complex because I'm at church, so I'm supposed to be open and generous and abundant. Which translates to, "Well, it's just a dollar, who cares?" But I hate, HATE the feeling of being trapped or helpless. So the dilemma seems to be between being whole and healthy in my spirituality with healthy boundaries and feeling like I live in abundance and it's only a dollar. I also do not want to be a person who promotes this type of behavior or seen as encouraging it.

At the end of the exchange I just wanted to get out of there - had way too much to do today. But weigh in on this people. What would you have done or said in this situation? Bear in mind, this lady be CRAZY. She didn't even really hear what I was saying. I didn't straight up say no but I pulled a blank when it came to rebuffing her arguments gently. I feel like I come from a place of abundance (really, I counted my shoes once, remember?) and I'm used to being asked to be a giver.

Thoughts?