How I alienated a colleague by stating what God requires of me

An orchestra is just as likely as any other workplace to harbor gossips. In a conversation with Kathy, one of my casual friends, I mentioned that “I don’t set foot in any church unless God sends me there.”

I knew that Kathy’s good friend, Beryl, was an extremely churchy Baptist, and that Kathy would report what I’d said. That this had occurred became clear at the next rehearsal.

During our 15-minute breaks we milled around, snacked, and talked. Beryl said “Hi,” as usual, but slid her eyes at me sideways.

Although she continued to be civil for the remainder of our acquaintance, she never looked me straight in the face again.