Almost eleven years ago, it was the weekend before Christmas and everyone in the “twin cities” of Monroe/West Monroe was eagerly anticipating the holidays. Linda Lavender School of Dance was having its annual Christmas production and many parents, along with their not so thrilled sons, went to watch their daughters and sisters dance, counting down every minute till they could leave.
Meanwhile, my sister and I were also waiting for Christmas, and did not have anything to do that weekend. Thankfully, our Aunt Tracey had won us two tickets to a Newsong/FFH Christmas concert at Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe. We were both thankful and I just could not wait. I loved music and savored each chance I could get to go to a concert.
Due to the concert being the same weekend as the dance recital, and it being the weekend before Christmas, many families were not there who would normally show. This opened up the opportunity for my sister and I to sit closer to the stage, in what were OPHS’ “golden circle” seats.
We stayed put for the first hour, enjoying the music and loving the chance to not think about school. When intermission came, we both sat our coats down and went to the bathroom.
When we returned from the bathroom, we found both our coats thrown in the isle and two old Pentecostal women sitting in our seats.
When we both tried to tell them those were our seats, they both smiled and said, “No, they are ours. We bought tickets for these.”
My sister and I then grabbed our coats and moved several rows back. It may have been true they had bought tickets, but they arrived to the concert over an hour late! After sitting for a few minutes, Newsong came back and began their set. My sister then called my Mom, who said she would arrive shortly and make things right.
My mom arrived just as Newsong began one of their most famous songs “Arise My Love.” This is a song about the Easter story,about the resurrection of Jesus. It is a song that was often sung in church by choirs and soloists. Yet, the fact that it had all that significance to my Mom was secondary to the plain reality that two old women had wronged us.
We watched as she walked up to those women and later discovered her exact words she shared with them. “I hope you enjoy this concert after taking those seats from my children!”
Though we were wronged, my Mom walked back out of the concert and waited for us until the show was over. We still enjoyed ourselves, and laughed as we told Aunt Tracey and Uncle Robert what had happened that night. Our small misfortune was enough to fuel conversations with family and friends for quite some time.
That happened eleven years ago and while I may not be a Harvard scholar, I do know this. Those ladies were not the first and only people who wronged me or my family and they won’t be the last. That was not the only time we were inconvenienced, and there is nothing but more trouble to be had in our future.
The miracle of the Easter season, however, is that Jesus came to end our hurt, to end our pain. He has risen! As He promises a place where we can one day go where there are no tears nor pain, He calls us to love those around us and be patient with them, showing all the fruits of the Spirit.
So don’t forget the old lady who takes your seat, the boss that tries your nerves, the reckless drivers on the road or the family members who are hard to love. We are all sinners; We are all broken and we all need the gift and forgiveness of Jesus, so that one day, we can “rise” just as He did.
Until Next Time,
Jacobo
The Adventures of A Warrior 