Ado Annie and Me

I usually find connection with the second-tier characters, the ones who are slightly unusual. One of my first realizations of my affection (or connection) for the imperfect, was Ringo. Everyone was busy collecting all things Paul, John or George, but I decided Ringo was the one for whom my eyes would sparkle. I wasn’t even in first grade yet, but I knew there was something special about the one with the big nose who could still laugh and joke. Another sixties spectacular was the musical “Oklahoma.” Sure, the main characters were beautiful and sang show-stoppers like “People Will Say We’re in Love” or “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” but give me Ado Annie singing “I Can’t Say No” or “All Er Nuthin” and those are the moments of the musical that I replay, and quote even today. Ado Annie has a hard time limiting her choices and has so many interests that it keeps her from focusing. My role model!!

I'm jist a girl who cain't say no,
I'm in a turrible fix
I always say "come on, le's go"
Jist when I orta say nix!

I caught some kind of cold that zapped my energy over the Thanksgiving weekend, and on Friday I didn’t have enough energy to smile. I just went from one nap to the next. On Monday I went to bed at 8:30 and slept through the night - a big cut in the hours I usually spend on the home computer. So at a time when I had tried to get back in the saddle and re-focus my efforts, I had a legitimate reason to fall back, but then as I gained more hours and energy, I seemed to reclaim my old entrenched procrastination techniques, even though, or especially because, the season calls for more projects and more commitments. Once again, Ado Annie sings my life:

“I only did the kind of things I orta - sorta,
To you I was as faithful as c'n be - fer me.”

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You know our imperfections, and love us still. You know we are capable of so much more and reveal our possibilities again and again. Help us to see and be what you dream for us, and what you need of us. Develop our faithfulness so that it grows beyond what is comfortable to a faithfulness that is challenged and attested. Take away our standards and replace them with yours. During Advent let us learn to say no to practices that distract our focus away from preparing our hearts and homes. As the life of our community ensues, you need some of us to take on the role of the charismatic champion, the prodding instigator, the loyal defender, the tender caregiver, or even the trivial jester. All are welcome to follow, and lead others, to the star. Amen.