Jane Kelly, et al.

I bought a new dress at Target today. It is out of this world: sort of Spice Girls meets the Jetsons. To be quite honest, I don’t exactly know how I’m to wear it or where I will wear it for that matter. It might be saved for a sweet costume party and I’ll go as Jane Kelly, my alias. Whether I accessorize it will hot pink high heels and sexy hair in front of my face or an up do with ballet slipper shoes, I’ll be sure to find the attitude to live up to the dress’ obvious fashion standard. Of course I have to say that I was all giddy about the dress. I even took pics of me in it before I left the store. And I laughed like a little girl….ooo I can’t wait.

Thank God for Saturday summer weddings. It was my small miracle. Next week our group starts rehearsing for a theatre performance but due to last minute schedule changes, I only just found out the director wanted to practice in a larger space. Normally we haul the bus to the nearest town and ballet studio in Apex, but alas with the lateness of the hour and the brevity of the director’s time with us, I had to opt for plan B: New Elam Church.

For a frame of reference, think Alcova Lake outside Casper or Lake Pend Oreille outside of Spokane. These bodies of water take people away from the hustle and bustle of “city” life for a more secluded time on the water. Well, that’s where I like except I’m by Jordan Lake. The neighbors live a couple stone throws away along a busy street connecting parallel highways. The lake sits about a 20 minutes walk from Mirembe House and 20 minutes the other way is New Elam Church. It’s members reside nearby and have gone there for generations. It’s a quaint, white church in the country. Apart from the small sanctuary for 100, a couple Sunday school rooms, and adjacent cemetery, the church can boast a big fellowship hall built only too recently, perhaps even for the church’s 100th year anniversary. And this building is exactly what we need.
And yet, New Elam is on Pea Ridge Rd. near Jordan Lake. The staff doesn’t hold regular office hours; facilities personel aren’t running around. So how am I to get a hold of these people? Make a friend with the neighbors and hope they’re members? Tried but they weren’t home.
Go to a wedding. And by go I mean, pull into the parking lot just before the piano starts the processional and catch stragglers. A straggler I caught and after a brief introduction of me and the predicament, the deal was sealed. Anything to see those kids. I couldn’t have planned the meeting more perfectly.

North Carolina’s fever is finally breaking as the temperature goes down and even a bit of rain soaks the ground. Last week I was resigned to melt away even while standing in front of the fan. And my hair- wowsers! It was out of control with the humidity. Now I have the pleasure of writing this blog outside on the deck, watching lightning and listening to the rain.

Perhaps that’s what this day was about: experiencing God’s perfect timing. Would I have bought Jane Kelly a dress had I been in a different mood or hurried? No. Would I have confirmed rehearsal space for Monday without the joyous wedding? No. Would I have felt relief without a bit of extra hot with which to compare? No. These weren’t life or death situations where time was of the essence and yet goodness abounded in them. Therefore, the day lifted up life and filled it with joy. The death of worry, stress, discomfort was conquered. I think this is the potential of everyday, if only I choose to recognize that which is life giving, no matter how silly or simple.