Not a Martyr, Yet

I think I may have just had my first experience with what some might call "stoning". Sure, there were no rocks involved nor any measure of religious faith, but it's the closest thing I can think to what just happened at Publix. Rather, at the US Bank at Publix. It's such a shock to my psyche I just had to write and knowing the varying audiences that read, I'm really just fishing for some sympathy. There are plenty of other things I'd rather be writing about like my birthday or our trip to Memphis (which were both great), but this is what I've got.

So, I just went to the bank at Publix because our normal branch is closed for the evening. I'm taking out our cash for our budget for June and the teller politely asks if we do the envelope system. She must know this by my acute specifications of what denominations I need in such a large amount of money. So, I say "yes". She says something like "I've thought about doing that, but I just don't know if I can" and I say "Yeah, we've been doing it for about 10 months now and it definitely takes some getting used to, but I think I've finally got the hang of it." I wasn't ready to sell her the darn thing, only stating a simple fact.

Here's where it gets dramatic.

Enter the branch manager I've seen sitting behind the desk in the corner office of the little bank in Publix with a snide, nowhere-near under his breath comment about Dave Ramsey and his "stupid philosophies" and some other words like "idiots" and "ruining people's lives". Just the audacity left my mouth agape. Even if you don't agree with Dave Ramsey, the last thing you should do is make a customer (who just so happens to have a spouse who works for the guy) feel that uncomfortable about believing in DR's philosophies. The teller kind of shifted and let out a tense laugh, probably knowing I was in store for more than I had bargained for. I said something in response to Mr. Branch Manager that was as Christ-like, kind, and yet still impassioned as I could think of. "Can't say everyone has to believe it, but it's worked for us and I think we're pretty smart."

The next fifteen minutes of my life were spent towing the line between embarassment and boldness as we proceeded to argue, mostly because he began raising his abrasive voice and I wasn't going to go down without a fight. I am surprised a ring of spectators did not form around us, though I am certain the teller and the other guy in the corner (who was conveniently on the phone) were definitely on the edge of their seats.

The arguing part wasn't about me trying to bash Dave's philosophy over his head, but to justify why WE have chosen THIS PATH for our marriage and for our future together. He wouldn't let that rest and that is the part that peeved me to no end. (Peeved is a polite word, don't you think?) And, for him to describe a man and a company that we are absolutely invested in wholeheartedly as "greedy", "money-mongering", and "destroying peoples' lives" was just wrong and too much for me to bear. Especially as a woman who was just minding her business pulling out an innocent envelope system which has brought freedom and peace into our marriage, and has at least touched the lives of many people we care very much for.

I wasn't looking for a fight. But I certainly got one.

The sweet teller interrupted us the best way she knew how which was to say something like "Okay, well here's your money. I'm sorry about this" and I was on my way. Mr. Branch Manager didn't even have the courage to ask me my name or to even say goodbye as I left the counter. I was reething in my silent, put-on-a-smile and walk out the door kind of way.

So, I called Cliff on my way home where he was, himself, minding his own business reading. Before I could even ask him not to, he was in his car on his way over to Publix which is where he is now. My last words on the phone were "Just please, be Christ-like."