Church is generally expected to be a place of encouragement, but it can sometimes also be a site of some unusual and hilarious interactions.

For instance, a lady walked up and asked, “Are you Josh?”

Apparently she had heard about my various academic and vocational adventures from a friend and wanted some pro bono medical advice. And after I affirmed my identity, she said, “Wow! You’re so unassuming…I thought you’d look smarter!”

Virtually immune at this point to unintentionally condescending comments, I proceeded to help her navigate the medical misinformation she had previously received about lipids. And all the while, I couldn’t help but wonder how I might make my physical appearance “less dumb.”

And as I was pondering if maybe some glasses or a suit would “smarten me up,” my daughter ran up.

“Dad! I think I have some real friends in my new Sunday school class who love Jesus, too!”

I probably cracked a big, dumb smile at that point, but that moment was beautiful, genuine, and truly encouraging