2016) REHEARSAL

Written on August 3, 2016.

Morning found me early, exuberant. In a few hours, we will flourish and flair our finishing touches for August Rush 7! Worship will find and fill us as we prepare for people so precious to us to arrive.

We pray much for those making the journey from around and abroad. This includes those who travel in heart, but can’t be here physically. And as we do, I am always drawn to think of the Feasts and the journeys made by many in return to the land they were and are of. Rehearsals that make ready. Run-throughs and read-throughs that ring with return.

The most amazing thing about rehearsals is that though they are so close, but not quite, they truly do culminate in future and fulness. For years when our kids were little we went to dress rehearsals of ballets, symphonies and musicals. With their ages at the time, they weren’t quite ready for the full throttle performance. I don’t think they realized they were missing anything until the days we transitioned to debuts and first showings. Then they recognized the difference in the air. The electric and excitement. This was the night that those upon the stage had prepared weeks, months and even years for.

For my person and I, it has been life changing to rehearse for the things Pappa invites us to. Rehearsals don’t demand something now. They prepare for the coming. Tweaking and turning us along the way. We have had many rehearsals in our years together, each of them followed by the fulfillment of what He spoke.

All of them are treasures of my thoughts. One is tender still as its newness endures and abides at memory’s surface. It is that of a twenty year rehearsal that peaked and pinnacled just a few months ago.

On a living room date, when we still had VCRs, we watched a movie that planted the seed of a dream. In the movie, a couple found each other despite many odds and oddities. The climax of their story found them utterly out of character, but completely in covenant at The Met in New York for the gala of La Boheme.

One of our first dates found us at the opera, Cinderella. Honestly, I forgot my glasses and couldn’t read the subtitles. And I spent the first portion wondering where the glass slipper was, as the original story is about a bracelet. A little bit in, I let go and was transported by the music, passion and beauty of it all. And I fell in love with opera.

Though at the time, we scraped our nickels and dimes for groceries, we were fertile fields for what Pappa said. How long it could take didn’t occur to us. We simply got caught up in rehearsing.

Some nights, we made Italian food and listened to or watched operas. Other times we would dress up in what we would wear if we went right then and sit at our kitchen table with candles and wonder. A few times we were able to go to other operas in places we lived. But we always rehearsed for that appointment made by Pappa. A place and time we would meet Him. No date was circled on our calendars. But time was marked upon our hearts. Set aside, placed apart for that day. The day. Twenty years of rehearsals for the majestic moment when it all came real. When every thing was in place, perfectly planned by the One who saved the date.
Not once in twenty years did we look up The Metropolitan Opera schedule or search air fares. Not until the Promise prompted and Wild and Wonderful said it was time. Then every single detail, all jots and tittles fell perfectly into place. And we were there, in the big middle of a dream tangible, tasteable. Full of sight, sound and fragrance of Him. We didn’t go for a grand date. We went for a divine appointment. We found Him different and daring. And we met Him certain in the center.

It wasn’t till dinner right before La Bohme that we really recognized how long the wait had been. The days turned years before had been so ripe with rehearsing, we came upon the reality wrapped in suddenly and surprise. And that made it so savory and sweet.

Even as we swish and sup an that impossible found possible, we are rehearsing other reveals and ruminations. Until they are real too.

JOURNAL JUBILEE:
What is something Pappa has spoken to you. A coming yet to culminate that you may have missed rehearsing. Journal and let the rehearsals begin!!