I spent a lot of years trying to change my personality in order to please others. I thought they couldn’t possibly want such a wacky, off-beat, scatter-brained, sometimes shallow and sometimes irreverent woman like me sharing their planet.
So, how I acted depended on what kind of people I was with. With quiet and introspective people, I would smile a lot and nod my head at the intellectual conversation. I would try to say some profound thought of my own lying dormant in my brain. Then I would open my mouth, demonstrate what a fool I was, and prove that I couldn’t please people.
When I was in a group of younger women, I tried to act wise beyond my years. My advice sounded hollow even to me, and I was again met with disappointment from the people around me. With older women, I would act grateful for their recipes and housecleaning tips. Then I would go home and try to do as they had instructed, make a mess, and prove once again I could please no one.
I was a failure at pleasing people, and I was miserable, too. I didn’t understand any of it.
Then one day I found myself in a crowded hospital elevator. My grandmother was critically ill following cancer surgery, and even in my sadness, I was suddenly overtaken by a moment of outrageous joy that made me longing for a good laugh. Before I could help myself, I said, “Excuse me. It’s so crowded in here I can’t move my hands. Would someone with a free hand kindly scratch my nose? … Silence. Oh, dear. I had really done it. I had pleased absolutely no one in that elevator.
But then, the elderly gentleman next to me reached over with his arthritic finger and scratched the end of my nose. We all began laughing and scratching our noses. That was when the elevator doors opened and we faced a group of people waiting to get on. What we must have looked like, I can only imagine. As we piled off, still laughing and scratching, a woman stopped me. She thanked me for making her laugh. She said that laughter was a gift from God and we needed to use it a lot more often.
What? God can use humor? Some people say no, that God is serious, that sending His Son to be born in a manger is serious business, and no laughing matter. How can religious humor be nothing but sacrilegious in light of the sacrifice Jesus made for us?
The truth is, laughter is a good and perfect gift from God. It reduces blood pressure, relieves pain, dissolves anger, and is a universal language. I don’t have to understand why God made me this way, I just have to trust Him to use me, even if it’s through laughter. Even if it’s not pleasing to some people.
So, when the tsk-tskers come my way, not pleased with my humor, I react differently. I smile and say, as sweetly as possible, “Go click your tongue somewhere else.”
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: I don’t have to understand why God made me this way
- Religion
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The Joy Lady: What kind of promises does a God like ours deserve?
I should have known better. I did everything I could to make sure it didn’t happen, but it did anyway. I trusted someone — and when that someone didn’t do as promised, I was disappointed. I felt betrayed. How dare they not do what they said they would do?
- Church briefs: June 15, 2013
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Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, has died
Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, died early this morning at her home in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, it is being reported on the Sisters of Providence Facebook site.
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A night of prayer
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to another Taizé prayer event at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to reflect on the joys and wonders of the river through prayer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 8, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Pull your wheels out of the Sunday morning rut
Go about five miles west of Guernsey, Wy., and you might fall into some ruts. During the Oregon Trail years, so many wagons traveled through the soft sandstone there that deep ruts were formed—some as deep as four to six feet.
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‘Prayer Warrior Mom’ author at Open Door Bookstore June 3
Author and speaker Marla Alupoaicei will sign copies of her new book “Prayer Warrior Mom” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 3, in The Open Door Christian Bookstore at 3125 S. Third Place, behind Honey Creek Mall.
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THE JOY LADY: Because Vacation Bible School is that important!
It’s that time of year again — Vacation Bible School time. Frazzled VBS directors are begging for teachers, song leaders and kitchen helpers. For VBS directors everywhere, let me offer some words of truth and encouragement.
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‘The Conscience Monologues’ at St. Mary-of-the-Woods
There is something moving and powerful in hearing a woman recount her story of faith and courage in today’s world. Plan now to attend a dramatic telling of more than 10 such stories during “The Conscience Monologues: Women’s Stories of Conscience within the Catholic Church” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 22 in Reilly Auditorium, Owens Hall, at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 1, 2013
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South Vigo Congregational Christian plans memorial service
The South Vigo Congregational Christian Church and the South Vigo Cemetery will stage an annual memorial service at 2 p.m. on June 2 in the church at 6499 Darwin Road, West Terre Haute.
The public is invited to attend and share a poem, song or other sentiment. - RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
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Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
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THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
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