Dear Family of St John’s
Have you ever heard someone say, “he’s a bit of an oddball”? Or, maybe you’ve said that yourself at some point. I’ve never really liked the word ‘oddball’, I think it sounds judgemental. But, after a long conversation with my husband about the word – we have odd (oddball?) conversations – I’m coming to embrace it.
He pointed out to me that we’re all oddballs in some way or another. And that I, as much as I like to think I might be, am certainly not ‘normal’. I have decided not to take offence at this.
I haven’t shared any of my eldest son’s recent escapades with you in some time. But the latest definitely falls within the ‘oddball’ category. One of his physical exercise activities is grappling (think Drikus and MMA but none of the striking). A danger (as far as I’m concerned) in this pursuit is developing ‘cauliflower ears’. This happens when an injury to the ear causes a blood clot to form between the cartilage and the skin, leading to a lumpy, misshapen appearance. As his mom, I think he has nicely shaped ears and should look after them!
Up until recently he’s done so. But, in a recent video call he informed me that he’d injured his ear. And, to prevent the ‘cauliflower’ look, had bought needles and syringes from the local pharmacy and extracted the excess fluid himself. He proudly told me he’d used alcohol swabs to clean his ear and all was healing well. He also informed me that I needn’t worry, he’d consulted with his younger brother about the process. (Younger brother having received his High School Colours for First Aid and therefore being an expert in all matters medical!)
It took me a moment to process this. But, we haven’t reached oddball-status yet.
I was then informed that it was important to apply compression to the plastered ear. And, since a clothes peg on his ear interfered with wearing headphones, he had used a bulldog clip. Yes, the bulldog clip commonly used to bind paper together. I was sent a photo. The clip has flowers on it. This is how my I’m-studying-for-a-PhD-in-Maths son has walked around the Maths Department at his University for the last week.
Surely that says ‘oddball’?
But here’s the thing: isn’t that kind of the point? God created each of us uniquely – beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He didn’t stamp us out with cookie cutters. He gave us different personalities, gifts, quirks, and yes, even oddities. And the body of Christ – our body, our church – is made stronger by that diversity.
Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12 that “there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. … Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” (vv. 4, 12). Not everyone can be the ear. Not everyone can be the foot. And not everyone can be the bulldog clip, but my goodness, we need each of those parts.
So, let’s give thanks for all the oddballs – because, truth be told, each of us is one in our own way! None of us fit perfectly into a mould, and that’s exactly how God designed it. We think differently, love in our own unique ways, express ourselves with quirks and colours, and bring unexpected gifts to the table. As Paul reminds us in Romans 12:6, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” It’s in that beautiful variety that the richness of our faith community shines. So, let’s make space for every gift – especially the ones that surprise us.
We weren’t made to be the same. We were made to be together, each bringing our own unique shape and sound into God’s great symphony. That includes the thinkers, the doers, the dreamers – and even the cauliflower-ear-preventers.
With love (and laughter),
Your friend and rector,
Claire