The Value Of It - Not What You May Think

I have to admit, I'm a little jaded. There is a routine grind to tech week - things take longer than expected, stuff breaks, a costume always get lost, dances always get jumbled and need to be straightened out again.....and when you're doing a suburban children's show, add in helicopter parents, kids who feel they're an exception to the rules, moms not so subtly suggesting they take their kids to another theater group if they don't get (fill in the blank) from you.....it can be easy to lose perspective. 

Last night, as I was fixing a tiny little girl's microphone for her, she asked me "how does it work?" 

"What?" 

"How will it stay on me and make me loud?" 

This simple easy-to-answer question hit me like a ton of bricks and I realized the value of Annie this weekend. 

I've selfishly been inviting certain people, not inviting others that I want to come to our "better" January show with the teens/adults that I am afraid won't come to two things in such a short time frame. 

Gosh have I been wrong. 

Over half of the Annie cast are performing in their first stage production ever. They are a blank canvas that we've had the privilege of adding art to. 

At least 2-3 kids have no one coming to see them this weekend. Dad is in jail, mom doesn't give a crap, friends don't have money , etc. 

A good handful of the children do not know the Gospel. I've heard the most incredible conversations backstage. I had a very interesting one myself with someone. We have been witnessing to them since August and honestly had no idea. 

Serves me right for treating the suburbs as "less than" compared to our downtown inner city kids, our trafficking survivors, our January cast of teens/adults that have overcome crazy life struggles.......

These kids are PRECIOUS. I mean, I already knew that....but this week as I've seen souls more fully exposed under the stress of tech week., truths coming out......

If you can make it to the ' ville this weekend.....coming to cheer them on may be more valuable than you ever would realize! 

10 of about 22 great kiddos performing this wknd....some come from wonderful loving amazing homes - others....not so much. 

In response to the little actress wondering about her microphone, I told her, "we are going to put this on you and then you don't have to worry. See that man up there? He's controlling it all - he will make sure you are heard." 

Obviously I was talking about the sound guy. But in retrospect it's kinda metaphorical too. 

So grateful God will make sure these children are heard this wknd! 

Come! Sat at 4pm or 7pm; Sun at 2pm.