They Call Me Crazy!

They Call Me Crazy!

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

2 Corinthians 6:6

One unusually warm and sunny winter day in central Texas, an institution for the mentally and emotionally challenged decided to give some of the patients a day outside. The patients were enjoying the freedom of blue skies, a gentle breeze, blooming pansies, and soft grass under their feet, while staff members watched from the patio.

Two of the male patients wandered out to the edge of the fenced grounds and sat down on the grass on a little incline where they could look through the fence and watch people passing by. They talked about the pretty weather and what it would be like to take a long trip outside the fence to the Gulf Coast and swim in the ocean.

Several local citizens of the town passed by—some in cars, some on bicycles, and some walking. The patients would speak to them, and most of them spoke back but hurried on their way. Some ignored the patients altogether. And a few immediately crossed to the other side of the street.

After a few minutes, along came a man pushing a big wooden cart. It was like a huge wheelbarrow with giant wooden wheels, and he was struggling under the weight of the load.

One of the patients asked, “Hey, mister, what’s that in your cart?”

The man said, “It’s cow manure.”

“Really? What are you going to do with it?”

“I’m going to put it on my strawberries.”

“You’re kidding, right?” asked the surprised patient.

“No, I’m not kidding. I’m really going to put it on my strawberries,” he replied.

The patient turned to his friend and said, “Boy, you never know! I put cream and sugar on my strawberries, and they call me crazy.”

Dear Lord, I want to show your kindness to people around me. Give me your heart of love, compassion, and tenderness toward everyone I meet. Amen.