I remember feeling anxious because I didn’t know what to expect. I had watched Jimmy Swaggart with my grandmother on occasion so I was prepared for there to be some hands in the air, big hair, denim skirts and maybe even some smack downs.
I enjoyed the music…some people liked it so much they danced. Although I typically danced to The Sugar Hill Gang, I wasn’t opposed to cutting a rug to Lord I Lift your Name on High. During the “greet your neighbor” time, I went for the handshake…and they went for the hugs. Awk. Next was a “season of prayer.” I realized it was way more “normal” than I had imagined a charismatic church to be and my anxiety was beginning to subside. It was all good and I was comfortable.
Then some folks went to the stage to participate. They laid down on the floor and began moving their limbs like the old “Let me see Your Cockroach” cheer. You know…the centipede. My restless radar went up and I started to fidget. I pictured myself slithering on the stage. Then things got real.
I guess my nervousness came out in a “funny” way. I got tickled. As in “bust a gut, out of control, body shaking, tears rolling down my face” laughter. You know it…the rare moments in life when every time you seem to regain composure you lose it again. And again. I tried to focus my mind on horrible world events…my grandmothers passing…and life without any friends, etc… Nothing worked. It was an ugly laugh/cry. Distorted face and all. I couldn’t get it together. I finally went outside and belly laughed until I had no makeup left on my face from the tears – then got the heck outta dodge.
Then there was my neice’s voice recital. Let’s face it…except for the 3 minutes that your loved one is featured, recitals are painful. Keller still hasn’t forgiven me for dragging him along. We sat in a small church with lots of other proud relatives…all with video cameras in tow.
I’ll admit that little kids are very entertaining to watch. You have the ones that miss the beginning line, the ones that wave to their parents, the nose pickers and the private part touchers. Very cute…until about third grade…then only a mother’s love can make one sit still through 15 versions of Ave Maria type songs without being medicated.
My neice preformed around the middle of the recital. She knocked it outta the park. Now it was time to figure out how to quietly slip out without being too obvious that we were not about to sit through listening to a dozen adults we don’t know. No luck. There was just no easy way to slip out in a small crowded room. It was time for the adult students to show what they “got” and we were stuck ’til the bitter end.
You know those folks who sound like a cat coughing up a hair ball…but they think they sound like Beyonce? Well this chic was the president of that club. I’m all for making a joyful noise…let’s just make sure it’s joyful for everyone.
I look at Keller and get tickled. My heart starts racing. Oh no…oh please Lord help me. I can’t hold back. My body begins shaking. Tears roll down my face. I keep my mouth closed in fear that my inner Betty Rubble will bust a gut. While “bless her heart” was botching God Bless the USA, I was wheezing laughing and I couldn’t get control. There was nothing – short of being zapped with a stun gun – that could have kept me from total hysterical laughter. I was all in laughing at this wannabee who would now need therapy for PTSD. Thankfully I was able to exit without a scene – but it took days to not think about it and start laughing all over again.
Most of the time when there’s an “elephant in the room” everyone looks to me to say something that will break the ice. I come by it honestly. I’m a lot like my daddy. A lot. I view most things through a lens of humor. I remember my momma loving his humor and fun loving spirit…until he had an “out of body experience” like my uncontrollable laughter. Then momma would say “I’m not responsible for his actions.” Thankfully, I have never heard those words from Keller! Yet.
We can’t fully know everything about God’s nature. But I think God has a sense of humor. We have a sense of humor, and God created us in His image. That means we have God in our design. Boom. Laughter is a gift from God. Plus, God says there a time to weep and a time to laugh (obviously I haven’t gotten that verse down very well!).
I hope you find something to belly laugh at soon. I don’t know if it’s the best medicine, but it’s pretty darn good.
If you need a good laugh, this may be my fav YouTube ever:
If you are interesting in learning the centipede, here’s a helpful link:
Until next time,
Music City McBride
Luke 6:21
What happiness there is for you who are now hungry, for you are going to be satisfied! What happiness there is for you who weep, for the time will come when you shall laugh with joy!
3 thoughts on “Have you ever been inappropriate?”
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I'm still mad you made me go to that recital. 🙂
Have been there myself many times. I used to think of funerals, but I've seen some funny things happen at those too, so it would only make things worse. Absolutely God has a sense of humor. I'm pretty sure it's a spiritual gift too.
Yes, it it Bob! They need to add uncontrollable humor to those spiritual gifts tests!