When the Exhaust Fell Out

**** Just a note to say that next Tuesday is the Distant Melody giveaway! Go here to enter.****

Recently I took some of my music students to the store. As I pulled out in front of another car I heard the usual screams of terror from the back seat. I chalked it up to inexperienced passengers – until I realized the screams were ones of delight.

"Ms. Hamrick!" one student shouted over the roar of the engine, "Did you get your car souped-up?"

I racked my brain in kid-lingo. Souped-up? What could that possibly mean?

"The noise," he shouted. "Your car is really cool!"

I didn't have the heart to tell him the exhaust had fallen out.

To be honest, that's why I write humor -- because my exhaust fell out. Not my car's exhaust -- but my life's exhaust. Several years ago I was 17, single, scrawny, and sick. It was obvious to everyone else (including the kids who dubbed me "bubble kid") that I was miserable.

I started to write about my social misfit-ness... because we all know where there's money involved, 17-year-olds will do just about anything. In a weird non-masochist sort of way, making fun of myself improved my self-esteem.

I like to think of it as a reminder that God doesn't waste any of our pain. Today I am [age definitely withheld], married to the most amazing guy ever [who fell in love with me after reading my columns], healthy, and whole.

But I will still do just about anything for money...

So what about you? How is God redeeming the broken parts of your life? How does that affect your writing?

I'd love to hear about it.

****
BJ Hamrick is a journalist, humorist, and Real Teen Faith Editorest.