Pepper Pots and OCD

As you know the world divides into two types of people - those who divide the world into two types of people and those who don't . That's not original but originality is forgetting where you found something (Jonny Baker) and I've forgotten.

So you will either love and understand what I am about to tell you or wonder what all the fuss is about.

First, by way of background, you need to know that I suffer from a bit of OCD. Not seriously. I can cope with an odd number of cans in the fridge and visit untidy houses. I walk on the cracks. But I close doors and switch off lights (not a bad habit so far) and (extreme coming up) can't sleep with a dressing table drawer or wardrobe door slightly open.

Today I was meeting with some other ministers from around the Diocese (Hi David, Kate, Tina, Diana and Roger). We are the ones who have specific job descriptions including missional stuff - fresh expressions, pioneering etc.

Over coffee after our lunch together Tina rolled up a piece of paper that had previously contained chocolate and placed it under the pepper pot so said pot now leaned at an alarming angle. And left it there. She continued to talk as if nothing important had happened and when I suggested that I wondered why she had done this she said 'Because I am a pioneer.' When I further indicated that I found this made me uneasy she did nothing.

Now. Who else is bothered by the idea of sitting at a table looking at a deliberately destabilised pepper pot? Only me? OK. I'll shut up now.