Hopeful Hearts Ministry

The day was a typical summer Saturday.  We spent most of it in the pool trying to cool off  our bodies and the kids temper.  Ever since we’ve been back the boys just can’t seem to get along.  Even when both Neal and I are in the pool swimming with them, playing around they go after each other!  It is especially frustrating when trying to figure out how to discipline them because they both have a reason for being upset or angry and honestly I do get each side of their story.

I thought about this minor predicament when I had the privilege of attending a performance of WICKED with some girlfriends.  We’d bought the tickets months before but I’d been anxious to see this show for quite a few years.  I had a young woman in my youth group that was ‘gaga’ over WICKED and I could never understand why.  I enjoyed Wizard of Oz as a child (the flying monkey scenes scared me) but didn’t understand following for a Broadway production.

Now I do.  The author of the play was ingenious in crafting ‘the other side’ of the story and giving it a positive spin.  Through this clever back history of Galinda (Glinda) the ‘good witch’ and Espherelda (the Wicked Witch) you see how one person’s physical flaws can ostracize them and how society can quickly categorize them as ‘not as smart’ or ‘not as good’ or ‘simply evil’ just because they are not like the rest of us.  I don’t want to give the whole show away (I do endorse it, you must go see it if you have a chance!).  However, for me, it was a great illustration of looking back on someone’s life that might have hurt you and taking a look at what they had been through, what might have caused their anger or behavioral issues that resulted in them harming/hurting you which is how I learned to have the compassion to forgive.

I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to see the show and be with girlfriends that I don’t get the honor of being around often (one I barely knew and I enjoy them all!).