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Yesterday I had the privilege of sitting in on the final dress rehearsal of Little Women, a play being put on by the Fine Arts Department of Covenant Christian Academy. Its one of the perks of being the mom to the producer.

I sat enjoying the rehearsal, listening to the music, following the dialogue, fully engrossed in the story of the March sisters. When the rehearsal came to a close, the director, Andrew Hoover, gathered the cast on the stage for a few final directions. He stood on a chair and took out a pad. He went through pages, and I mean pages, of notes. I was stunned.

When did he even have time to take those notes as he was moving all around – listening and observing and moving props – almost the entire time I had been present.

He gave directions and changes to each of the cast. But more often than not, as he went through his list, I heard these words, “That’s a note to self.” I was impressed he had not missed to make revisions for himself.

I woke this morning with these words running through my mind….

“But don’t begin (being a disciple and following Jesus) until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, “There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it.” (Luke 14:28-30, NLT)

The director was counting the cost. He was making certain everything was as it should be, the best which could be done, from start to finish. Right down to positioning the cast for curtain call. The man had not  missed a beat. Weeks of rehearsals and edits and directing, yet he was still making corrections as long as he was able.

All to make certain the production was performed to achieve the enjoyment of each who would attend.

Count the cost.

And so must we as we live life. It will cost us something to live a life which will pursue hard after Christ. We may have to give up our own plans, or desires, or selfish ways. We may have to be kind to those who hurt our feelings. And then there’s the whole “love your enemy” thing to contend with. We may have to help our neighbors. Apologize more. Sacrifice willingly. Serve others instead of being served. Humble ourselves to be exalted. Lose our life to find it. Give in order to receive.

Life with Christ will challenge us in our humanness. Every. Single. Day.

But may we count the cost. Make the revisions we must to our lives. For in the end, what we have produced will be worth every single effort we have made for we gain Him.

Now as an aside, if you are free tonight, tomorrow night or Saturday, it truly would be worth your time to go see this production of Little Women. It has been produced with excellence! The cast is talented and I was amazed at their abilities to act and sing. There is a live orchestra which enhances the performance. Besides at the same time you would be able to see all which Covenant Christian Academy has to offer in educating their students.

To everyone involved, and I won’t start naming any names as I don’t want to omit anyone …… Take a deep breath. You have each done well. You all are talented beyond belief. May you each have a calm and remember your lines. May each instruction which has been given to you be followed upon. I know each performance is going to be spectacular and enjoyed by everyone who attends. And I know this because the final dress rehearsal was enjoyed and LOVED by me 🙂 And to the kids involved … may you mostly have fun and create memories!

Today I am joining with … Thought Provoking Thurs. and Time Travel and Thriving Thurs. and Thankful Thurs. and Thurs. Favorite Things and Tell His Story and Thrive at Home .