As all of you may or may not know . . . I love musicals! Personally, I believe that musicals are a lost culture in today’s society, but I digress.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was written a long time ago, and is clearly considered “old fashioned” by today’s standards, but none the less, one of my all-time favorites. No doubt it’s because of the many plays and deep-rooted music gigs instilled into my life through my mom and grandma. In fact, I can remember when I was 8 and my grandma would be in the kitchen cooking dinner and I would have to practice my “over/under” scale exercises on the piano in the living room. Sometimes I didn’t go under… and my grandma would know. She would yell at me through the wall, like she was sitting right there next to me! I couldn’t figure out how she knew; but was sure she had some sort of secret spy camera on me.
Even at the young age of 8, I was trying to get away with something. I wanted to do things my way (even playing the piano). In most things, I felt their way was “old fashioned” or my change wasn’t a big deal, that they were behind the times, or better yet, they didn’t know what they were talking about. Or did they? I mention this because I wasn’t always raised perfectly, although my mom and grandma tried to do it right – they made some mistakes. Ultimately I was responsible for my decisions, good and bad. There were certain morals and ethics that were demonstrated to me by my mom and grandma’s lives and they have stuck with me to this day. And when they weren’t around, I had others, some good and some bad to advise me. But I know I definitely swayed from what was right and from what I was taught.
Often I wonder how my life would be different if my errors in judgment had been plastered on national television, the topic on every social media platform and with every blogger with an opinion, constantly playing it over and over and over again.
How could I ever be restored?
How could I ever get up from my failure?
Could I actually still have an opportunity to learn the lesson from my past mistakes and have an opportunity to apply them to my future?
The recent display by Miley Cyrus is clearly what has sparked my topic of discussion. And while I do think that her “2013 VMA Performance” was disgusting, reprehensible and disgraceful; I personally see a young girl just wanting to be loved. I see a young girl hurting on the inside and blocking good people out of her life all the while “acting” like those hurts don’t exist. There are people giving her counsel or advice that truly do not have her best interest at heart. She’s listening to them, and those decisions are resulting in destruction. Something we all clearly viewed on national television. Although fame and fortune is a big part of her life, there are many things about her life that people you and I know currently experience everyday. For example, how many parents do you know that are struggling in their marriage (her’s are) or how many kids are a part of a blended family (she is)? Those things don’t have to be negative but can be challenging. I don’t know the specific hurts, but I do know they are there.
I submit to you an opportunity – instead of judging, pray for her. Pray that God would send someone in her pathway to minister to her, to heal her heart, and to restore her back unto Him. This I do know, PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!
Then, look around.
You and I are obviously not able to reach Miley Cyrus and be a positive influence in her life, but I’m sure there is someone around you that could be your opportunity. There are so many people that need God in their lives today.
Reach out, and love someone. People are clearly hurting, and looking for an answer.
I look back now and of course, I can clearly hear the difference of going “over/under” in my piano scale. And although my grandma had a way of knowing things that I will never truly understand, I am glad that she corrected me and taught me right.
…..And really this has nothing to do with my “piano lessons” no more so than “farming” had anything to do with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!