I ate regular meals and slept.
I took my meds on the regular.
I read my bible and prayed daily.
Then all Hell broke loose.
But the plot twist was still yet to come.
First, my purse was snatched out of my car. That day happened to be one of very few times a robber would strike gold due to errands I was about to run:
1) My debit card
2) Emergency credit card I've never used
3) Royal Stage cards
4) Checkbooks
5) My passport
6) 75 Harlem Globetrotters tickets
7) $300 in cash I was given for
India
Everything was drained - our personal bank account, ministry money, credit cards maxed out. Sigh.
Then, last night I got rear ended and the driver sped away without stopping.
To make all of this even more awesome, our children's musical opened this week.
If there is one way to truly make me shaken, take away my sense of safety. I know this is true for most people, but it affects me very, very deeply.
I cried all day yesterday, and when the car thing happened tonight, I was so stunned that I couldn't cry. What the heck is going on with this week?
Of course, I had to push it all aside for the show....because it must go on, right?
Watching it unfold on stage from the booth was frustrating. There were things I'd been telling the kids since October, and they still weren't doing them. I ran backstage a few times and reminded them - they seemed to hear me, responded like they heard me....but then they went on stage and did the exact opposite.
So. Frustrating.
Tonight after our second show I was frustrated and embarrassed. I felt like I had failed the kids because the show could've been so much tighter and cleaner in so many places.
I smiled and thanked everybody as they exited, and I could feel my face burning red.
I was done with this week!
Then a woman, a complete stranger to me who came to see the show, looked me in the eyes and said, "Thank you for reminding me why we wake up."
Whoa. What?
"I love what this organization is doing. You reminded me tonight we all have purpose and should use it."
Humbled.
A mother of a participant told me how her very shy, hurting daughter has grown into a bright, happy, confident girl.
Another mother told me how her daughter cries and asks for myself and other Royal Stage leaders when she's hurt or upset.
Humbled.
Older participants are experiencing reconciliation, restoration and joy.
I am not saying that I am an amazing leader. We couldn't have had the show at all if it wasn't for an AMAZING crew of backstage helpers. And Ginger....oh my gosh, that girl has done so much!
I am really a hot mess most of the time. I question constantly why God has me
doing this.
But then He reminds me through people's experiences with us.....
Our ministry exists to teach young people to overcome fears and challenges.
Our ministry exists to bring healing, hope and restoration.
Our ministry exists to share God's love and help people experience it when they otherwise may not.
Our ministry exists to teach young people the importance of showing up, and how every single part is valuable.
We don't exist to be perfect.
We don't exist to train up elite dancers.
We don't exist to be the best studio.
We don't exist to gain applause.
Even when I get jealous of other theater companies and dance studios...all the resources they have, the increase in participants because faith doesn't matter there.......
I remember on nights like tonight how I would never trade my spot in the line of the non-profit multitudes.
My money is gone, but it will be recovered through fraud protection. Royal Stage's too.
My car is dented, but only very slightly and it runs beautifully.
I am surrounded by truly wonderful people every day of my life.
Things are replaceable. Negativie thoughts can annoy me, but I can stop them from destroying me.
I am safe in Christ when my world is shaken, and through Him I have the ability to love.
The plot twist in a crazy unstable week turned out to be a rock-solid Father with a perspective on what really matters.
And we have come out victorious.
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