May I say? the SconeLady was anxious as she walked through the door of Room 9. And then, there was Peace.
Some might question prayer, but I knew in that moment that it was real and compelling. A transformation from one step to another, from fear to peace? Breathtaking. And that is what happened.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tom-margie/1543127802/
The Lone Ranger, 'Nell', the other actors, and I trooped in and the evening began. My songs would come at the end, so this meant a long wait and potential twitchiness. But it wasn't like that, at all! There was a kind of bubble around me as I sat watching the fun.
'Nell' waltzed out onto the stage, dressed in 'her' pink frilliness. It was 1974 and we didn't think of someone being 'in drag'. It was just all in fun and the crowd went wild. There seemed to be a lot of throwing evangelistic materials at people's heads, to demonstrate how NOT to evangelize. I mostly stayed inside the bubble, trying not to stare too obviously at the masked stranger (he was the best actor on the stage, and one must acknowledge talent).
More skits, some songs, a Christmas message, and then - my name was being called. I approached the stage, stepping over the scattered debris from the skits, and sat. Someone adjusted the mike, then as I looked out over the crowd I felt a familiar solidarity between us.
I said a few words about something Andre Crouch had written, a Road we all had in common; and then began to sing the words as if each person there was the only person there -
I've had many tears and sorrows,
I've had questions for tomorrow,
There've been times when I didn't know right from wrong.
But in every situation God gave blessed consolation
That my trials came to make me know He's strong.
I've been a lot of places and I've
Seen a lot of faces.
There've been times when I felt so all alone.
But in those lonely hours, in those
Precious lonely hours,
Jesus let me know I am His own.
Through it all, through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God.
I've learned to depend upon His word.
-by Andre Crouch
All of us understood, together. Everyone had their own tears and sorrows, even the lovely Sorority girls did. The professors. The group leaders. Everyone. I watched as friends reached for the hands of friends or brothers or sisters, and on the final chorus we all sang together, "I've learned to depend upon His Word."
https://www.flickr.com/photos/deniscollette/2727189369/
I couldn't see The Lone Ranger anywhere, but it seemed important that he be found. The party ended, and then I was surrounded by his Fraternity brothers. They were all so nice! and they each asked questions, where I lived, was I new? What church did I go to?
And then I saw him, standing just beyond the group. The questions of the others faded a bit as he stood holding his mask.
No doubt about it, I thought. Dazzlingly handsome.
See you along the way!
the Scone Lady
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deniscollette/2727189369/">Denis Collette...!!!</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tom-margie/1543127802/">twm1340</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a>
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