As I sit here this morning, bangin’ out yet another awarding-winning Blermon (blog-sermon), coffee at the ready, cartoons soothingly playing in the background, agonizing back pain shooting down my leg and up through the bottom of my neck (not to worry, it’s just an old baptizing injury - it happens to us Preachers), it occurs to me that all that is missing from this idyllic and creative scene is my trusty heating pad.
(PREACHER'S NOTE: was gonna drop a little clip art in here of a heating pad but it just seemed too condescending. Look, if you don't know what a heating pad is by now you have no business being on a computer reading a Blermon).
Depending on the time of year, I am never far from my heating pad. I call him “Paddywack”. If I could figure out how to keep Paddywack plugged in while I went about my daily Preacher duties I would not only be a happier Preacher, I would also be a rich one. There’s not a Preacher on the planet who wouldn’t put up big bucks for an electric “Preacher Pad”. Baptizing injuries are everywhere.
Little Paddywack calms me. Keeps me warm. Eases my recurring, ever-present, imaginary psychosomatic pains like a summertime gospel meeting. He is my electric, adjustable “blankie” buddy in a very real sense. Paddywack makes me feel good about myself and my world in a way that most Elders simply do not.
I am TOLD that there is a secret army of “Paddywackies” out there who know exactly what I’m talkin’ about. My wife Gidget is one. From November to May Gidget is never seen without Paddy at her side, or often under her side, around her side, over her feet. That girl can hog a heating pad, lemme tell ya.
But remember not all heating pads are created equal. Some are just flat out mean. So beware. They will lull you into a cozy coma of goodness then as soon as you’ve forgotten about them they just...OW! What in the world? OW! OK, I’m not kiddin’ around. This heating pad just went koo koo. It just burned a hole through my Preachin’ pajamas! Can you believe that? My body again, offered up as a sacrificial, living illustration. I hope this helped.
As together we stand and sing. BP
