Thought for the Week
Some years back, I was booked as a guest speaker for a “Halloween Alternative” celebration on San Juan island, the largest of Washington state’s 400-isle San Juan group. Co-sponsored by churches on several of the bigger islands, it promised to be the youth event of the week.
I flew into Seattle, picked up a rental car, and headed north. A two-and-a-half hour drive and a one-hour ferry ride later, I arrived feeling as brisk as the October breeze!
As the opening band finished their sound check, youth leader Dave arrive with our dinner: greasy fries and big, drippy cheeseburgers! Shortly thereafter, for some mysterious reason, I felt a mite queasy. So I lay down on a cot backstage.
By the time Dave roused me the auditorium was packed! And so was my abdominal tract. I was green in the face and roiling like a tsunami. Still, the show—and the message—must go on.
The band finished. The costumed crowd cheered. I’d been asked to “be funny” before segueing into the serious closing. So I told my Fat Cat and Toby the Turtle stories, while silently praying, Please, God, I don’t think you brought me here to hurl regurgitated French fries at teenage zombies and princesses!
They laughed, never dreaming I was fighting back a rising tide of grease and bile. As I moved into the message, and a heartfelt invitation to commit or recommit their lives to serving God and others, my nausea reached its peak. Lord, I don’t care what happens to me, just don’t let me spew while talking about you!
Suddenly, a wave of warmth came over me—the nausea was gone! I invited everyone to join me in a love song to our Creator. As I strummed the guitar Dave had loaned me, grateful for the relief and for the hundred or so teenagers who’d come forward with joyful faces, that warmth began to make its way down my legs.
It was one of the weirder things I’ve done, leading kids in singing while warm brown liquid oozed down the back of my pants and pooled in my shoes. As the song ended, I backed offstage, smiling innocently.
Fortunately, the backstage bathroom had a shower. Youth leaders were still praying with kids when I returned and joined them—wearing a fresh set of clothes.
We sometimes learn later why things happened the way they did. Other times we don’t. This was one of those other times. Someday I’ll know. In the meantime, I smile, taking the bile with the sweet, and remember those teenagers’ faces.
“In this world you shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33
Oh my goodness! Well… I’m glad it all worked out for the best!
Yes, it really worked “out” 🙂
Wonderful ♥️
Thank you, Caleb.
You got through the event without puking, so your prayers were answered. The leakage was penance for abusing your body with cheeseburgers oozing with fat and greasy fries. 🙂
;>)
Been there…done that…still laughing.
;>)
Ahahaha!! At least you didn’t hurl non??
Non!
As a former music major in vocal performance, I recognize this scenario. I never had a bodily fluids accident, but sang solo, and in ensembles and choirs when I was sick as a dog. That’s one difference I’ve observed between amateur performers and their semi-pro and pro cousins. When under pressure, the latter two get better, or at the least carry on without anyone being the wiser.
The show and/or sermon must go on.
I’m so glad that you were wearing large shoes!😄
;>)
Wow!! Talk about suffering for Jesus! LOL! You really persevered to deliver the Good News! So proud of you!!
Thanks, Katie!
The show must go on. Just be careful what you eat next time.
I suspect it was a stomach flu virus, Kara. Although that can be transmitted via food. He said it was a favorite local burger place.
Oh, Lordy! I’m sure many of us can relate.
Courageous self exposure. 👌 I’ve always had an irritable bladder, and have gone through some absolutely excruciating public moments as a result. In all of my performances, I’ve experienced this same experience with it, once onstage, and once while engaged in an artist in residency. I’ll always be happy I wore thick tights and high, solid boots that day. Things went off without a hitch. Thanks for sharing ~ makes the rest of us feel a little less abnormal 😆
;>)
You have the most amazing stories!
Thanks, Pam!
Well . . . I’m so happy you were able to be discreet while slipping out toward the backstage area! Goodness, that must’ve been quite the experience!
It certainly was, trE!
That is pretty interesting
Thank you, Zuhaib.
My mother reported to me once about speaking at a church meeting, and as they sang the invitational hymn and repenters were making their way down the aisles, a huge horsefly flew directly into her mouth‼️
She said a silent prayer thanking Father for giving her body “food” and refused to disrupt what the Spirit was doing.🤠
Now that’s faith!
There’s a storyline to it all!!?
OH!!!
Thank you for your humble sharing of this lesson. Reading it I could relate personally to all except the final moment (though I have been quite close to it more than once). I’ve also been with others who became physically ill in various ways through the years. It is so very hard to help them let go of the embarrassment that invariably accompanies the incident. But, thanks be to God, it is possible to look back on such vulnerable moments without negative emotions. Your sharing today has helped people experience that sort of healing.
Thanks, Rob!
Worst post to read while eating breakfast 🤣
;>)
Amazing😱
I’ve spent a great2 time reading your stOry and your friends’ conments
;>)
A very “moving” experience!
;>)
You were so brave to continue in the midst of that kind of stomach distress. And while the solution may have been a bit, shall we say, gross, it did work! The kids had no idea, your message came across, and you stayed the course. There’s a lesson in there for all of us, I think, and it’s not just don’t eat a greasy burger and fries before a bit presentation…….
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Wow!
That happened to me once, but I was five in a classroom performance for our parents, but it was just pee.
Glad to know your persistence, blessings!
Great Article ❤️❤️❤️
Great story
Thanks, L.G.