A funny story

September 4, 2023 | 36 comments

A reader sent me this story.

There was a Scottish house painter named Smokey MacGregor who was very interested in making a penny where he could, so he often thinned down his paint to make it go a wee bit further.

As it happened, he got away with this for some time, but eventually, the Baptist Church decided to do a big restoration job on the outside of one of their biggest buildings. Smokey put in a bid, and, because his price was so low, he got the job. So, he set about erecting the scaffolding and setting up the planks, and buying the paint and, yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down with water.

Well, Smokey was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly completed, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder, the sky opened, and the rain poured down washing the thinned paint from all over the church and knocking Smokey clear off the scaffold to land on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by telltale puddles of the thinned and useless paint.

Smokey was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he got down on his knees and cried: “Oh, God, Oh God, forgive me; what should I do?” And from the thunder, a mighty voice spoke, “Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!”

36 thoughts on “A funny story”

  1. So cute and funny! Wit and humor can be very healing, breaking us out of the spell of matter thoughts. This story definitely gave me a good chuckle, thanks Evan for sharing it.

    Happy holiday to friends in USA commemorating Labor Day, the day set aside to recognize the contributions of workers, and the labor movement that tries to protects the jobs and rights of the working class.

    A humor-filled, God-filled day to all. Repaint and thin no more, lol.

  2. I love it.
    So as I see it, the lesson is – Don’t be “thick” but “thin” no more! – for your
    “thins” will find you out.

    Sorry to have to explain, but for the non-British, is the
    following slang definition of “think”:

    My dictionary says: If you describe someone as thick, you think they are stupid. [British, informal, disapproval]

  3. Great illustration!! — even finding a PAINTING!
    Perfection.
    Reminder not to thin down our promises and duties, but be as thorough and persistent as a true workman, reflecting God’s thorough love for us!

  4. Good one Evan!! It’s good that we know that God sticks with us “through thick ….AND thin! ” (Sorry I couldn’t help myself!)

  5. Now, I know that none of us are thinners, because we know better than that! Oh my goodness I think that I have been rather thick lately, and in Evans wonderful way he has nudged me out of that impossible thought! Love to all of you~ good & beautiful painters
    Now we can go on our Cheery way today, spreading Love!

  6. LOL!!! A wonderful way to start off the morning! Thank you, Evan and
    All. I’m not sure if this is appropriate, but also kind of cute as a play
    on words…
    A little boy was walking on his way home from church. It was raining.
    He reached in his pocket and took out a snack, but he dropped it and
    said,
    “Jesus Christ and God Almighty” (~ a very naughty thing for him to say,
    but he was young and was just learning.) Behind him happened to be
    the pastor of the church who said to him, “What did you just say??”
    The little boy said, “Oh…my cheese and crackers got all muddy!” : )
    Have a happy day everyone!

  7. Excellent ha ha start to today…well actually it’s afternoon now. Holds a message doesnt it anyway!
    Came to mind that Jesus always told parables / stories when teaching so as to appeal simply and effectively to the masses…
    Smiley day all.❣️

  8. Thank you so much for this cheery story! Laughter makes the clouds disappear in the sunshine of joy. And I love all the comments as well. Carol , thanks for reminding me of that story too. That’s an oldie but goodie. Happy day to all!

  9. Me thinks there is a wise lesson here,– a fresh creative “spin” on “thin”…

    To paraphrase MBE,.. “error found out is two thirds destroyed.”

    Thank you Evan for sharing this witty and humorous tale! A gleeful day to all you delightful responders!

  10. Hilarious!! Had a good laugh! Good message as well.
    Stay alert to not “thin” – dilute our inspiration and insight!
    Thanks for adding a big smile to my day!

  11. As a German I do understand that funny story, as well. And laughed very heartily this morning. And I still laugh about Carol’s lovely story!

    Thanks dear Charol and Evan. The chuckling about your both stories do so good and are healing, chasing away fear and sorrow!
    Am very grateful and happy for this lovely SpiritView Forum!♡

    1. So glad you enjoyed the story, dear Uta and Janet. I hadn’t thought
      of it in quite a while, but Evan’s chuckle brought on the smile
      and it came to mind. I Loved the joyous prompt this morning.
      Here are 3 delights on laughter:

      “Laughter is magic that dispenses clouds
      And creates sunshine in the soul ~ R E Goodrich

      “Laughter is like a windshield wiper, it doesn’t stop the
      rain, but allows us to keep going”
      (Of course God’s caring for us does the same)… and

      “Everybody laughs the same in every language
      because laughter is a universal connection”
      ~Yakov Smirnoff
      (I thought you would like that one, Uta)

      : )

      1. Good humor is so freeing, comforting and, yes, healing! And as it’s midnight here in Germany I am grateful for the smiles and laughters I got today and can still think gratefully at it!♡♡♡

  12. Humorous story. Thanks never hurts to laugh in fact it’s healing as others have said today Thank you that’s just what we all needed repent repent and don’t do it again Thank you.

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