[apologies if this is a duplicate reply–the first one vanished in thin air!]
You made me think that if *I* were the one sitting there alone each week, I hope there would be someone who would come by and speak to me, even in my weirdness. Thanks for encouragement to keep going back, Beverley.

[Hmmm….not sure where my original comment to this went…sorry if a duplicate] But yes, weird might not be the best word choice; perhaps different would be more appropriate since I doubt God would call any of his children weird. 😉 And also yes, those differences aren’t always just matters of style or choices, but often between life and death….

Wow. Your story means a lot, Betty. I’m grateful that your neighbor preacher wasn’t skittish about smells. It’s a lesson for all of us to not back away from the “messy” people but to come alongside them to show God’s love.

I relate to your lice story too. My daughter Jenna just returned from 6 weeks living in an orphanage in Guatemala. All the girls there have head lice, so of course she got it too and couldn’t get rid of it until she got home. It brought to the surface even more of my own messy attitudes. So grateful the Lord has unending supplies of mercy for all of us weird kids!

Your comment makes me think about all the “weird” people that Jesus ministered to. Actually touching the lepers, putting his fingers on blind eyes, etc. He definitely is a hands-on and loving God! I do long for more transformation in his image too.

Oh, I love this, Betsy. I’m sure Ahment-Who-Works-at-IpraGaz looked forward to calling your house every evening. I know what I would have done; just quit answering the phone. Sigh. Glad you didn’t choose that option. Sometimes those “small” ministries can have more impact than any others we do.

I hear you, Cheri. It’s when we get up close that we can get sensory overload, right? The smells, the sights, the sounds… I’m thankful God isn’t as squeamish as I am! 🙂 It’s easier to keep a distance, but we miss so much when we do.

Thanks, Dolly. I know I’m weird in so many ways. Just ask my friends and family. ha. But I guess our uniqueness is all just one more fingerprint of how creative our Father is!

Yes, Heather—God often works in that upside-down way, right? 🙂 Love that about him. So unpredictable, yet always good. One day I’ll learn to more fully trust him as a result of his proven faithfulness!

Loved your post, Kathy. Thanks for sharing the link! It’s a perfect example of what I’m trying to say here. Sometimes those who are most different from us are the ones we have the most to learn from. And in the case of your special friends, sometimes also the ones we receive the most love from.