God rarely tells me what he’s doing. But he’s always more than willing to show me what he wants me to do.
Some years back I landed an invitation-only position in a CBS workshop for up-and-coming comedy writers. Was I excited? Um, yeah, like diarrhea excited.
I lived an hour away, so I did my morning God-talks en route. One morning several weeks in, I asked God what he wanted me to do.
Big mistake.
Almost instantly I sensed that he wanted me to tell my new R-rated friends about him. Being a mighty man of faith, I replied, “Um, what else you got, Lord?” Silence. “Ohhh-kaaaay,” I exhaled. “But if you want me to talk to a room full of professional snarkologists, you’re going to have to make it happen. Because I have no clue where to start.”
By the time I got to CBS, I’d conveniently forgotten about that conversation. Then, about an hour in, the workshop leader Joel said, “Your own life is the best place to look for ideas, so…” He scanned the room. “Mitch, get up and talk about what’s been going on in your life.”
I jogged up to the stage.
“All right, first thing that pops into your head,” Joel shouted. “Go!”
“Uhhh…” I began. “Well, my eight-year-old has been in this tug-of-war between her nerd friends and the mean-but-cool girls who say they’ll let her be one of them if she rejects the nerds. She wants so bad to be cool, but she has this pure heart, and she doesn’t really want to be that kind of person. And I don’t want her to be like that, either.”
I started to sniffle.
“Good!” Joel yelled. “If it matters to you, it matter to your audience! So, what do you want her to be like?”
My eyes began to leak. And then the words escaped from my mouth, and there was no way to vacuum them back in:
“I want her to be like Jesus.”
This is the moment I get asked to leave, I thought.
To my astonishment, Joel, the secular Jew from Brooklyn, said between sobs, “That’s…beautiful, Mitch, just beautiful!” Then he croaked to the rest of the room, “See? The heart, people — that’s where real stories come from!”
When we broke for coffee I was surrounded by wet-eyed comedy writers. Several timidly tight-lipped Jesus followers thanked me for having the courage to boldly share my faith (boldly, hah!). An angry agnostic punched me in the arm and said, “Damn. You made me cry, bro.” And then he hugged me.
And God whispered, “Hey, you asked.”
No, God doesn’t usually tell me what he’s doing. But he’s always ready to show me what he wants me to do. And I’m guessing he’ll do the same for you, if you ask.
But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
I’m so glad I read this from my email. Thank you for this😂❤️
My privilege, Anonymous friend.
Love your writing style… it is comforting and fun all at once. Great story. Yes, asking God what he wants me to do 😁
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.
Yes, a great story, Mitch.
Thank you, Danny.
Best of all, Mitch, is that the example you set has continued to be a blessing to everyone present that day. Trust me, they haven’t forgotten that moment, either.
I certainly pray that’s true, Rob.
Mitch, what a powerful story! You asked God, he replied and gave you the stage to do what he asked. Powerful results!
Thank you, Hazel.
You’re welcome, Mitch!
I pray every day and I know God gets me through my days. I thank Him for my health and need no medication. I will turn to Him at a low moment and suddenly I get to cash out on sites unexpectedly and well that all makes my life happier and better and I know He listens and responds in His own way.
Wonderful story! Thank you for sharing this 🙏🏾
My pleasure, Arnetta.
I’ve often said, communion with God isn’t about changing God but about changing me
Exactly, Jim.
Hmmm, Mitch. The God of the unexpected isn’t always comfortable. You don’t always know what you’re letting yourself in for – and the unexpected response often turns the upside-down on its head.
Very true, Malcolm.
LOVE that story! Well done, Mitch.
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.
That’s so awesome!! I love when people pleasantly surprise you like that.
Me too, Maryanne.
I think I don’t want to ask Mitch 😀. This is a wonderful testimony.
;>) Thanks, Iba.
Joel was right. “That’s…beautiful, Mitch, just beautiful!” 🙂
<3
Perfect witness.
Thank you, Gerry.
🙂
Well Mitch, I usually get something out of each post you do, but today I got a new description of a person’s emotional state – “diarrhea excited.” Now I just have to figure out how to use that in a blog about bars and breweries. I assume you have not copy-righted that term. Cheers Dirt
You can pay me a usage fee, if you like, Dirt. $300 sounds about right. ;>)
wow, God always tells me what he wants me to do, thanks for the post
My pleasure, L.G.
Awesone Mitch! Thanks for the encouragement.
My pleasure, Pete!
Love this .. Thank you, Mitch !
My privilege, Mae.
Beautifully, honestly written …..wow! I want to share it if that okay.
Of course, Eileen. Blessings.
Yes, and like you, I’ve had times when I was expecting to be attacked and was pleasantly surprised – like the pride parade adventure I just wrote about. 😉
Could it be that the spread of the gospel isn’t being slowed down because the unbelievers are so horrible, but because we believers are dragging our feet?
Good question, Annie.
This left me with a smile on my face.
Thank you for this inspiring post.
My privilege, Tim.
You know, Mitch, you are a wonderful person. Living in Utah, I get more than my fill of the Mormon doctrine and the pushiness of that church judging the rest of us and pushing their beliefs on the rest of us.
But follow you now for a few years, I have realized that you really are a person of faith. You don’t push your beliefs on any of us, but you share these wonderful thoughts and stories.
And, to me, you are truly an inspiration. You have shared many stories about your failings, your fears, your triumphs, and your feelings. I just want to say thank you.
Why, thank you back, Tim. And I know what you mean about Utah. I was once asked to pastor a church there made up mostly of ex-Mormons.
God’s answers are not for the faint of heart. His will, not ours.
Great post Mitch! This is so relatable as I’ve been in this very position many times over the last 6 or 7 years. Both on a stage in a crowd of a few hundred people and also here at our campus where I direct a faith based men’s recovery facility. I’m really enjoying your posts they’re inspiring and encouraging. Thank you Sir, be blessed!
My privilege, Jason, and thank you.
Nice post.. thank you ❤️
My pleasure, Fiona.
Beautifully written 👍
Thank you, my friend.
“But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Great close to a wonderfully encouraging story, thanks Mitch!
My privilege, Dana.
Great story!
Thank you, Dawn.
Beautiful story, Mitch! You inspire me to be bolder!
<3
I’ve learned that if I tell God I’ll do anything for him/her, I’m going to get a big assignment. Thank you for sharing your insightful story, Mitch.
My privilege, Mary.
What a beautiful story! And a good reminder to listen when God talks to us. He has a way of making things work out…..
He does indeed, Ann.
Beautiful story, Mitch.
Thank you, Jennie.
You’re welcome, Mitch.
Great reminder, brother, that I need to ask that question more often.
Very good and memorable story. What a God we serve!
Amen, Anne.
Wow, love this.
Thank you, Janet.
Simple, yet profound. 😀
Thanks, Pete.
Wow, what amazing responses from the comedy writers! I’m so thankful that you did what He wanted you to do.
Me too, Keith.
Well, that brought tears to My eyes, too!
Thanks Mitch.
i so love the way you do what you do….
Thank you so much. I’m sure I must know you, my friend, but unfortunately WordPress has labelled you Anonymous.
I enjoyed this Mitch and your conversations with God sound alot like mine. I always say, He gets a good laugh watching over me when I reflect on my day-to-day experiences. 😁
An amused but loving Father’s view, no doubt, Tammie.
Your courage gives me courage. Thank you for sharing.💘 I originally came here because you liked my blog about my personal family planning, and I wanted to thank you. This hecking did something for me too though. Thank you.
My pleasure, Helen. And delighted to hear it encouraged you.
Obedience is always an adventure. Great story.
It is indeed. Thanks, Marty.
Love this, Mitch! Thanks for sharing the story.
My privilege, Bob.
Beautiful, brother. And the “diarrhea excited” part made perfect sense.
;>)
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