A Small Consolation

It has always amused me that the major character in many of the mystery books I have read never ever get trusted. James Lee Burke's Dave is never believed. Rebus in Ian Rankin's works is always mistrusted. Cornwell's Doctor is always being attacked and "on probation." You would think that after so many cases and so many times that they have been proved correct, that they would be accepted and listened to more eagerly.

The same thought crossed my mind when a business man who has run his company for more than 20 years told me that he cannot get his board of directors to make the kind of decisions that he thinks will help his company. The Board gives no reasons for not wanting to make the changes that are suggested. There are personal aspects to the issues, but He has run the company, made them money, and proposes small steps that would help them legally. They still do not want to go along.

I guess there was no surprise in the report that I read that, I think the figures were, about 20% of the prescriptions that were written by doctors never get filled. These were not neglected because of shortage of money. The complaints of the Doctors were that their patients do not follow their advice. The curious question was why do you come to the doctor for treatment and then not do what he/she suggests?

Certainly in all of that there is a small consolation for clergy. Why should we be surprised when people do not respond to what we say? The authors of novels know human nature to be what it is that supervisors will never change their opinion of the "trouble maker." That Boards of Directors may not follow the advice of a proven leader after 20 years or more. That patients will not listen to their doctors. What is it that allows ministers to think that people will hear them any better?