For the last two weeks me and my sister have been playing viola in the pit orchestra for a summer music theatre’s production of South Pacific. It’s been exciting, challenging, and exhausting, but since most of the shows are at night, we have the days pretty much to ourselves. Unfortunately, the shows end at 11pm, which means I just start to wind down at midnight. My sister can fall asleep as soon as she changes out of her concert black, but I can’t. I haven’t quite figured out why this is, but it may be that I naturally sleep in if the night goes that long. It may also be that because I’m the older one, I have more responsibility in making sure everything is okay before I go to bed. I’m much more likely to wake up at a sound during the night than she is, and I think it’s because I feel responsible for her. I am, and I fine with it, but I didn’t completely realize how different it is going from being a lone traveler to having someone dependent on you.
This time with my sister has also made me realize how much of a home schooled country girl I was before I started college. Some of the adjustments she has had to make I also had last year, such as walking on sidewalks, weird as it may sound. Being a psychology geek, I want to take a side trip and dissect that action into sub-actions.
First, we have the tactile sense: the feel of the concrete, how much traction your shoes have, how much push is required to walk.
Second, vision: spotting holes, bumps, the edge of the sidewalk, or oncoming people or cars.
Third, social: which side of the sidewalk to move to when passing a person going the opposite direction, what level of greeting to use if you see someone you know approaching (“Hi, how are you?”, “Hey”, or just a smile), what to do when a group of people is blocking the way, how close behind someone you can walk, and how to walk with a group of friends.
And then there are little things, like what kind of walkway gets slippery when wet, and gauging how much time you have to cross the street before you get squashed like a little bug.
That’s only the beginning. I won’t go into door-opening etiquette (which is different depending on where you live), or getting used to florescent lighting (igggg), and carrying a phone and key with you at all times (easily forgotten). But I will say that I really admire my sister for adapting so quickly and well to all that was thrown at her these past two weeks. As I type this, she is heading down to the gym BY HERSELF. Quite a big step considering she had to force herself to come here with me in the first place. It’s great for me too, because I got to be with her and have her as a roommate. Lots of talking and bonding time. I think we’re finally entering that stage people tell me about where siblings become best friends after years of friction. Thank You, LORD!
I’ve been thinking recently about all the assets I have on my side. They are quite numerous when added together, and considering them helps to keep my focus on hitting the targets God has placed in my life. I tend to get discouraged when people and situations don’t change, especially when I see that the underlying issue is a case of ignoring God and trying to live without Him. I want to weep at all the wasted time and effort and grief Man goes through for naught.
And then, like a bolt of lightning illuminating the face of the King of the Universe for all to see, one of His own shouts a praise that lifts the hearts of His children. This time, it was the girl who plays Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. My aunt came to see the show and told us that during the bows, the actress lifts her hands and says “Glory to God!”. She also references Psalm 104:33 in her bio.
I love it when Christians are gracefully public in their allegiance to the LORD.
It reminds me to do like the Newsboys song says: "Shine. Make 'em wonder what you've got. Make 'em wish they were not on the outside looking in". That's my target and I'm sticking with it.
