"Oooh Yeah!"---Kool-Aid Man

Ooooh Yeah!  I made it to DC, baby.  As many of you know, this has been something I have been praying about and hoping to do for two-and-a-half years.  My roomie, Brandi, and I are joining an amazing church and hoping that we can play a part in what God is doing here in DC to make the name of Jesus Christ known to the people of this city.  I wanted to start blogging about my adventures not because I think that you are all so fascinated by my life (believe me, I can be a snorefest) but because God is alive and well and active in my heart and I want to be able to share what he's doing in my life and in the city of DC with you. So what will this blog be about? Will it be serious? Will it be ridiculous?  My answer--a little of both.  I think the title of my blog sums it up best--Girl With the Kool-Aid Mustache.  But what does that mean?!?  Okay, since you're begging, I'll tell you.  ;)


So the idea for this title came from a pretty funny story that happened to me.  One day I walked into the Bank of America to fill out some information in order to get a new debit card.  I was standing there talking with the customer service guy, when an irate customer stormed out of the bank while cursing out his teller.  I looked at the man who was helping me and quipped, "Wow, I bet you guys have to deal with all sorts of people." To which he replied while continuing to look down at his paper, "Yeah, you see all sorts of interesting things in here."  I finished filling out the necessary paperwork, walked out of the bank, climbed in my car...and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.  I was sporting a kool-aid mustache.  I began to laugh as I replayed the conversation I had just had with the teller.  "Yeah, you see all sorts of interesting things in here."  Yep, like a thirty something year old woman sporting a kool-aid mustache.  Oh my...


But the idea of the kool-aid mustache is something that kind of stayed with me.  Now I embrace the memory of my kool-aid mustache because it reminds me of two important things.  These two ideas have sort of become my mantra.  To me the kool-aid mustache reminds me that no matter how hard I try to be serious, professional, hardworking or even faithful to God, I am still just a fool wearing a kool-aid mustache.  Without Christ, I am nothing.  Without Christ, all my plans and works are nothing. The kool-aid mustache serves to keep me humble, to remind me that I was once a fool living according to the desires of my flesh and following the "prince of disobedience" as Ephesians 2 puts it.  Now because I have entered into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, I am a fool for Him now.  But his salvation didn't just save my life.  It continues to transform it and as long as I remember that I am a fool without Him, then I will remember to depend on Him to be my strength through all things. 


But there's a second use for the kool-aid mustache...it's hilarious.  I once joked with a friend that a fool proof method for asking someone for forgiveness was to show up on their doorstep sporting a kool-aid mustach.  I mean, seriously, how could you not laugh at that?!?  In the same way, I believe that God has given us the gift of laughter to remind us that in all things we can have joy.  I believe it is a great skill to be able to laugh at yourself and even better to be able to make others laugh.  Some of the most hilarious things in life happen in the day to day activities of our lives.  Like rocking a kool-aid mustache in a bank.  I try to look for the comedy in things I observe and experience.  The good Lord didn't gift me with athletic prowess, or the ability to draw, or being able to play an instrument but He did give me the ability to make people laugh.  I love using that gift to bring joy to others. 


So in short, I hope that this blog will bless you in both ways.  I hope you will be encouraged to hear what God is doing here in DC and I hope you will be able to laugh with me as I continue to learn from Him and enjoy the precious gift of life that He has given to you and to me.  All the best!


Michelle