My Life Is An Afterschool Special
I remember it like it were yesterday. Everyone minimized their afterschool play and interaction because our collective attention was directed toward getting home and situating ourselves to watch the ABC Afterschool Special. No matter what drama ensued, it was sure to be resolved in 60 minutes….including commercials. We saw ourselves in the characters as they navigated bullying, belonging, addiction, divorce, illness, you name it, children were centered in the difficulty and by the time the special ended, we had valuable information, a solution and resolution. As hard as those specials were, we were excited about the showing and even more committed to witnessing how it would end. To that end, I offer the confidence that we demonstrated then to whatever we find ourselves presented with now. We actually had faith in creators whom we did not know to remedy real life circumstances. Accordingly, how dare we not believe the God of the Universe to create sustainable responses to what ails our soul.
Everywhere I’ve turned over the last few weeks, I’ve been privy to the issues of the life that make for perfect storylines. The only caveat is that they are not fiction. They are hard, challenging, difficult and are taking up more minutes that I care to note. Nevertheless, I am reminded that we are not alone. All while watching the ABC Afterschool Special, my friends and I spoke over the phone in between the programming, during commercials, trying to determine how the story would unfold and eventually end. We have more resources at our fingertips and the ability to connect immediately. However, at times, the obstacle looms large and we may be careful to not invite others in our tent of trouble. Yet the ringmaster is aware and close, prepped and prepared to carry us to the rolling of the credits. He is the fourth man in the fire! Isaiah 41:10 testifies, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Beloved, God is nigh. He doesn’t have to check the TV Guide to know when the need for us to have faith will present. It would benefit us to remain in a posture of belief in God and the possibilities of God so that we are building a reservoir to engage when the cares and vicissitudes of life seemingly prevail.
Life lately hasn’t appeared simple. Nevertheless, God’s love for us is. Whether we’ve found ourselves to be the protagonist or antagonist, His love supersedes our good days and our not so good days - the times when we act as a child of the Most High or kirk out, allowing our flesh to lead our actions. This week, I laughed with a sister friend regarding my behavior. I told her that if God wasn’t holy, He probably (and justifiably) should have cussed me out in response to questioning, eye-rolling, deep sighing and faithless behavior. For a wee bit, I was willing to accept the fiery darts as though I had no one in full defense mode on my behalf. As my mother often says, “If He brings it to you, He will take you through it.” Thank God for grace in those times (and occasionally seasons) when we fail to be His representation in the earth. I’m grateful that He doesn’t treat us like an afterschool special when we stand in need of mercy; when we fall short of embracing His promises; when we don’t believe that indeed all things will work out for our good; and when we question if He really loves us because of suffering.
As one “special” ends, we can most assuredly know that another will come again. Yet the plot twist remains the same, God is good and will carry us through.