"T-Bone"
8" x 10" oil on linen panel
NFS
Well,
we did NOT see it coming. The
evening that T-Bone (a.k.a. Terry) revealed his “alter ego”, we were stunned. (I mean, what kind of person chooses to be a clown?) But within seconds, we thought, “Well,
of COURSE he’s a clown!” It was so
HIM.
Actually, all of us have another side to us.
There’s the outward appearance that we present to others on a daily
basis…..when truth is, there is so much more than meets the eye. There are hidden secrets, the things we
are ashamed of or embarrassed by......and the hidden treasures, the special
qualities that are unique to us.
We
met Terry one Sunday morning when he came (sans costume) to our table at church
in search of joining a small group.
I guess we passed the “test” because he and his wife, Debbie, have been with us
for two years, sharing their lives and faith walk with us.
When
you’re in a small group, eventually trust is earned and the truth of who we are
emerges. You see, real
intimacy begins when the layers are peeled back and the real “us” is bared –
sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once – things we’re proud of, and then the
not so much. But it’s only there,
stripped down, that we can actually be real with other each and with God. No judgement.
And
so now I know! Now I know what
kind of person chooses to be a clown.
A quiet, humble, kind, faithful, humorous man that loves to make
children smile. A
transparent man who inspires our group nearly each and every meeting. When it’s time for prayer
requests. he sometimes responds, “My prayer is for God to answer your
prayers”
But
his classic response is our favorite: “Just give me more Jesus – I just need more Jesus.”
Yeah
……….he makes adults smile too!
