Do you ever feel that God is trying to tell you something loud and clear? Do you ever feel like your just half listening? Then, every movie…every show…every book…everywhere….the same message keeps coming through?
Lately, that’s been my experience…and I keep wanting to say…I hear you….I really do. It’s been my experience, that when God has a awesome and exciting job for you to do…that Satan does whatever he can to discourage it. If it’s not sickness, it’s weather…if it’s not weather it’s a car breaking down…or forgetting something important that you meant to bring…and you just have to go with Plan B.
Have you ever heard the song “Different” by Micah Tyler? When I die…that’s the song I want played…I know that sounds morbid…but I really do.
“I can’t waste a day, I can’t stay the same. I want to be different, I want to be changed, so that all of me is gone, and all that remains is a fire so bright the whole world can see…that there’s something different in me.”
What are we doing in this world? We medicate ourselves…we drive into our garages, we close the doors…we watch tv, we get sucked into Instagram. We nurse our hurts, we build walls, we fear the people that hurt us will do so again…and just so you know…I’m standing right here with you…this is me.
What if we knock down the walls? What if we change our game up? What if instead of talking about what is wrong with our communities…we rolled up our sleeves and invested in it.
You know why I clown? It’s not comfortable…people think I’m crazy…but I believe that there is a small part of my world that is better off for what I’m doing. I had a son come up to me that thanked me for what we did each month…a resident himself and several others, have cried when we left…until we promised we would be back. I have had ladies with bald heads tell me how horrible their cancer treatments are…you know why? Because even with their bald heads…they don’t look as silly as me. I’ve played with children who have backgrounds most of us can’t imagine…I’ve played action songs with the mentally challenged that even got their caregivers to dance and laugh. I’ve danced with people who have a hard time speaking ….but laughter is the best language. Do I tel you this because I’m amazing??? Hardly….sometimes…they don’t laugh at my jokes…they tell me to go away.::the residents we want to visit don’t want to come out…sometimes we cry because someone we knew and lived has gone. Sometimes…the caregivers don’t want us and run away..:sometimes I get asked why I’m a clown and can I go scare someone.:::but I don’t do it for them…I do it for the ones that dance with me…that laugh with me.
Today…my husband came home with a small gift from a lady I have known for years…she saw something in a store and she said that she knew I had to have it. Did she know my heart needed that? I doubt it…she probably just thought it was a simple gesture…but it meant the world to me.
We all have some talent…we all have investments to make in someone’s life. I don’t mean just go volunteer…I mean…learn their names…have a conversation…get outside of yourself. Whatever it takes to get you to move..:for me….as soon as that clown nose goes on…I’m a different person.
Does that mean you have to be a ridiculous clown like me? Nope…there’s groups that need your help. Children with no fathers…or mothers. Babies that need to be held. Cancer patients that need to be encouraged, lonely people that need someone to talk to..:.and can I just say…I never feel that I’m the one that gives them the gift..:they give me a gift every time. They encourage me always:..they shine the light on me.
I feel something changing….something good….and I’m a little scared…but really excited.::are you ready?
Are you ready to be different?
The Reluctant Red Nose 