For Wilshire Baptist Church
We were looking at a history display in Grand Teton National Park and I glanced a few feet over and saw a man wearing a black jacket with a green and gold interlocking BU. I was surprised to see someone representing Baylor that far west, so I caught his eye and said, “Sic’em Bears.”
His response? “What’s that?”
I awkwardly explained that “Sic’em Bears” is a phrase used by fans of Baylor athletics.
“Oh,” he said, then added, “I got this at a flea market. I live in Jackson.” He was referring to the town just 20 miles away. And then he asked, “Where in Texas is Baylor, anyway?” He at least knew what state it was in.
“Waco.”
“Oh.”
This wasn’t the first time I’ve jumped into an assumption based on what someone was wearing or carrying. I once saw a woman on a Fort Worth bus with a dark green tote bag bearing the logo of a Christian publisher that I knew. I was too eager to make the connection and asked, “So, did you visit with RCL at a book conference?” She shrugged and said, “No, got the bag at a thrift store.”
The point is: we are not always who the world may think we are based on what we wear. I have a couple of gimme caps that I wear here and there, and no, I do not work for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators. On the other hand, I’m a proud, third-generation Baylor grad but I never wear Baylor garb except when I’m in a stadium or arena where they’re playing. The only exception is when I mow the lawn in a BU cap that is faded to avocado green with yellow sweat stains. I don’t think my lack of school colors makes me a fair-weather fan, because I’ve been that way my entire life, win or lose. I just don’t care to gloat when things are going well, and I know that colors and slogans can stir thoughts in others that are better left unstirred.
I have a friend whose daughter is a real rowing crew team member at USC and not a fake Hollywood crew member. He told me about the time this summer she was wearing a crew shirt and someone snarked, “Oh, they sell T-shirts too?” Translation: they sell crew clothing in addition to fake team memberships for college acceptance.
All of this came to mind while we were at Pearce High School over the weekend selling books at their annual Pacesetter Holiday Bazaar. On Saturday you could have had a contest to see who had the most representatives in the building based on their school colors, especially Longhorns, Sooners, Red Raiders and Aggies. There were a few Bears in the crowd, but they were clearly in the minority. On Sunday, there were fewer Sooners and Longhorns and more Wildcats and Horned Frogs, no doubt emboldened by their Saturday victories.
And then there were plenty of non-school slogan shirts, like the one that said, “Mother. Wife. Witch.” I hope she was just having fun and not really describing herself. On the other hand, the young woman wearing a Magnolia Market shirt was probably dead serious about her devotion to Chip and Joanna Gaines.
I have an “I Am Wilshire” T-shirt that I have worn just a few times and mostly at church activities or under other shirts in the winter because it is soft and warm. That doesn’t mean I’m embarrassed to be associated with Wilshire. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m just not much of a flag waver.
Does that make me a weak witness for the church and the kingdom? Perhaps. But I’d like to believe that actions still speak louder than words — including words printed on T-shirts.