So, “The Wedding of the Painted Doll” was my first “big” solo and it was big – 6 pages of sheet music. 

It was the night of the performance, 300+ people were expected to attend and I looked fabulous. I was wearing a beautiful lace dress, Mary Janes and white ankle socks with lace tops. And the icing on the cake? – my hair was in Shirley Temple curls. I was adorable!!When we arrived, someone explained the set-up to me. I was to walk on stage as the curtain was opening and the pianist started the introduction to the song. They had it timed so that I would arrive at the microphone when the musical introduction ended; I was to start singing immediately. It sounded simple. 

There was only one problem. The stage hand who placed the microphone had missed something. Either the mic was too close to the curtain or the mic cord was caught in the curtain. Whatever the reason, as I made my big entrance, the heavy velvet curtain caught the microphone stand and it started to fall. I heard a loud gasp. (My Poppa said that the audience was worried that the falling mic would scare me.) The crowd didn’t know me!! I ran forward, grabbed that mic, set it right and began singing right on time. Nothing was going to ruin my big song!

Where does a kid get that kind of confidence? Hmmm, do you think that wearing those leg braces and watching people try not to stare at me made the difference? Those leg braces that weren’t comfortable. Those leg braces that caused sores from rubbing against tender skin. Those braces that limited my mobility and activities. Perhaps those braces were part of God’s plan to build my character. 

I wonder how God is using our struggles of today to prepare us for the challenges of tomorrow?

Just a thought. 

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

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“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)