Compelled to Clown
Why from a ‘Clown’s’ Eye View? The simple answer - I am a clown, at heart. The lengthier answer - I believe in the Good News of Jesus Christ. Yes, the good news: God loves us. He sent His Son and saved us. But there’s more!: God is good and He made us good. We’re good! We often miss that or ‘forgedaboudit’.
Origins of the word clown connect it clod, as in clod of earth. Reminds me of how God scooped up the clay in the second creation story and made Himself a man. In the first creation story God said it was ‘good’ after each thing He created, but after He created man in His own image and likeness He said ‘very good’!
Life is difficult. No newsflash there. The clown’s job is to see this life differently, to bring up what’s down and bring down what’s up and find fortune in misfortune like a Don Quixote- who actually saw things in their truest light. Would you rather me join you in a pity party or a tale of doom and gloom going on and on about how everything is going to the dogs? Wouldn’t you agree helping you laugh in or at the situation is a better way to go? My favorite book says “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”
I believe I was put on this earth to help remind us of the lighter side, to lighten up. After all there was a Resurrection after the crucifixion! Soooo…. Did you hear the one about… (it’s a bit long but well worth it in the end)
Forrest Gump Goes to Heaven
The day finally arrived. Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven.
He’s at the Pearly Gates, met by Saint Peter himself.
However, the gates are closed,
and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper.
Saint Peter said, 'Well, Forrest,
it is certainly good to see you.
We have heard a lot about you.
I must tell you, though, that the place is filling
up fast, and we have been administering
an entrance examination for everyone.
The test is short, but you have to
pass it before you can get into Heaven.'
Forrest responds, 'It sure is good to be here, Saint Peter, sir.
But nobody ever told me about any entrance
exam. I sure hope that the test ain't too hard.
Life was a big enough test as it was.'
Saint Peter continued, 'Yes, I know,
Forrest, but the test is only three questions.
First:
What two days of the week
begin with the letter T?
Second:
How many seconds are there in a year?
Third:
What is God's first name?'
Forrest replied, 'Well, the
first one -- which two
days in the week begins with the letter 'T'?
Shucks, that one is easy.
That would be Today and Tomorrow . . .'
The Saint's eyes opened wide exclaiming
'Forrest, that is not what I was thinking, but you
Do have a point, and I guess I did not specify,
so I will give you credit for that answer.
How about the next one?' asked Saint Peter.
'How many seconds in a year?
Now that one is harder,' replied Forrest,
'but I thunk and thunk about that,
and I guess the only answer can be twelve.'
Astounded, Saint Peter said, 'Twelve?
Twelve? Forrest, how in Heaven's name
could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?'
Forrest replied, 'Shucks, there's
January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd . . .'
'Hold it,' interrupts Saint Peter.
'I see where you are going with this, and
I see your point, though that was not quite
what I had in mind . . . but I will have to give
you credit for that one, too.
Let us go on with the third and final question.
Can you tell me God's first name'?
'Sure,' Forrest replied, 'it's Andy.'
'Andy?' exclaimed an exasperated
and frustrated Saint Peter.
'OK, I can understand how you got
your answers to my first two questions,
but just how in the world did you come up
with the name Andy as the first name of God?'
'Shucks, that was the easiest one of all,'
Forrest replied. 'I learnt it from the song,
ANDY WALKS WITH ME,
ANDY TALKS WITH ME,
ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN.'
Saint Peter opened the Pearly Gates,
and said: 'Run, Forrest, run.'
