Читать книгу Twitch and Shout, Hallelujah, Amen - Gregory John Nashif - Страница 6

I thought long and hard about how to write this poetry book;

Where do I start? I am not sure where to begin. . .

“Begin at the beginning, young fella!” an old man yelled out.

“Who’s there?” I questioned.

“Just—Start—From—the Beginning,” said the old man.

I think I am finally going crazy. Now I am hearing all kinds of voices, just start from the beginning; of course, you always start from the beginning, What a cliché. That is of course the normal thing to do, is it not?

“Hey voice” I shouted out.

“I am listening,” said the old man.

“I can tell you, with absolute certainty, that I am not a cliché, and I am not normal either! Urp, Urp, yelp, yelp yelp . . . ” Tic, tic, tic . . . tap, tap, tap. I TWITCH and SHOUT.

“Ok young fella, you made your point, now stop all that nonsense, all that ruckus, you’re driving me Insanitatible.”

“Urp, Urp, yelp, yelp yelp . . . ” Tic, tic, tic. . . tap, tap, tap; TWITCH and SHOUT.

“Fella please stop that now, are you trying to annoy me?”

“Urp, Urp, yelp, yelp yelp . . . ” Tic, tic, tic . . . tap, tap, tap; TWITCH and SHOUT.

The voice yelling out for the final time, “STOP THAT INSANITY!!!!”

“But I cannot, “I replied,” I simply can’t get away from you, because you are me! You see, I am Tourette’s.”

For years, I just kept talking to myself; feeling sorry for myself. “Why me? Why do I have to be burdened with this horrible thing called Tourette Syndrome?”

Tourette’s is not fatal, although I did think at various times, how much easier it would be just to pack up my bags, and hitchhike to a land of peace and joy; a spirit land with no pain or suffering, no noises or tics, twitching or shouting. It was all Psych-Illogical to me until 1970, when I accepted Christ the Lord into my life and began a journey to salvation, hope, peace, joy, and redemption.

I have been through many struggles, trials and tribulations. In them I always end up remembering that the Lord does not allow me to go through anything I cannot handle: with each trial He offers me a way of escape, so I can bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

As I look at all the events I have been through, I can see what an awesome adventure of Love, Forgiveness and Living with Tourette’s it has been. These writings are little glimpses into my life: some of these poems were written during times of distress, some brought comfort to my soul and uplifted my spirit.

It is my hope and prayer that this book inspires you to be the men and women that God desires us to become. That we learn compassion for those who are struggling, without judgment. That we extend mercy and grace, not only to others but also to ourselves. In doing so, we transcend our frail humanity and embrace the wonderful Joy that is Christ.

And so, it begins . . .