Pastor A_____

Walking down the path at the State Park
I saw Pastor A___. My eyes naturally look
At a person's chest, which is a bad habit of mine;
She shouted my name, and I stopped to talk.

"So, are you now a Methodist or are you still
"Preaching as a Lutheran?" I asked coyly.
A look of astonishment fell over her face,
Like she couldn't possibly ever be Methodist...
"I'm still a Lutheran, preaching at D____."
She said to tell the family she said hello
And that she wanted updates from me and my dad.

Though, I  wondered while walking up the trail
If her bewilderment was because of my shyness...
My bad habit of looking at people's chests
Which I also did up the trail, as I saw an older couple.
But, I realized, it was probably because I had mistaken
Her as preaching Methodism, and not Lutheranism...

To which, I was a little puzzled as to the great difference.
To me, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopalian
Are the faith that sings old songs, preaches platitudes for sermons
Sings Kumbaya, and accepts Liberal Theology.

But, to her, there is a great difference...
And that's why I'm glad I know enough about Theology
To not really know it myself.
As like Literary Theory,
Theology is something that knowing a little helps a long way
But knowing too much gets you lost in the weeds.

We parted on good terms. But, I wonder which
Of my bad habits was really the reason she
Seemed a bit offended?
I don't know, but felt a bit embarrassed,
And used it as a tool to keep two notes:
"Don't make assumptions;
"And look people in the eyes."