Lookin' for the Good Things in Bad Times

Sorry that some of you have to see the same thing twice! I had to do a little editing, so there are some changes. The story is still the same though! Enjoy!

I am grateful that I haven't experienced much sadness regarding death in this short life of mine so far. I mean, some distant uncles, cousins, etc. have died in the past that I barely even knew. My grandpa died a few years ago, which was hard, but that's about it for the death range. But a recent event changed that, and opened my eyes to what some people in the world must be going through on a day to day basis.

Recently, David*, a young man who had a lot of  talent, friendliness and faithfulness passed away in a tragic car wreck. He was in the musical I am currently performing in, Tarzan. David was one of the two people who played Tarzan, since the show was double cast. None of us got to say goodbye.

It's amazing to think that just a few short days ago, I saw him practicing on stage his scenes, singing out with all the talent he had. Just one glance on his face told you that he loved what he was doing. It is such a shame to see his talent not present anymore. I remember distinctly thinking , "Gosh, he's so good."

I didn't know him that well, but I talked to him a few times. He was very nice and kind, and loved to laugh. All those that knew him commented him on his friendliness, kindness and devotion to his passions.

When we found out, the whole cast and I were at dress rehearsal. Our director told all of the cast to go into the theater and sit with our parents. It was then he broke the news. Immediately I started crying. I couldn't believe it, I kept saying it was a dream over and over again in my head. How could something so tragic happen to us? What I mean is, you hear about sad stories of young kids dying in accidents all the time, but you never think of it happening to you in real life. In other words, it was a major, major shocker.

But one of my favorite things I love about the theater I go to is that since it is Christian, we can proclaim God wherever and whenever. So my director started singing a worship song that goes
"You're all I want/You're all I've ever needed/You're all I want/ Help me know You are near/.
I was so choked up, I couldn't sing. In fact, it made me cry even harder. Our other director also reminded us through tears to not be bitter at God. It's not His fault. Deep down, I know it's not. Everything happens for a reason, whether it's good or bad.

After that we all spread out and hugged each other. It was the most sad, happy, heart-warming, depressing, amazing, God-moment full time I have ever experienced. No one had any limits. We all were hugging each other, crying into each other, comforting one another. I bet I hugged every person in the cast at least three times. I was there for quite awhile. In that hour or so, our cast bonded more than any other event in the whole show process. It was beautiful.

The kindness and remembrance of David didn't stop there. The next few days we all were still comforting, crying, and bonding even deeper. We decided that every show would be dedicated to our fellow, beloved castmate. At the end of every performance, after we would do our company bows, we will point up to the sky, thanking God, then point up to the sky again and yell, "For David!"

Every time I say that, I can feel David and God smiling down upon me and the cast.

You've probably heard the saying "Everything happens for a reason." Even if you don't realize it at the moment, everything does. It's true. No one would want a young, talented teenager to die from a car wreck. But it happened, and we can't do anything to bring him back. So it's our job to focus on the good things that are coming out of it. For one, our cast is getting closer and closer with every show. Another, people from all over the USA are coming together to pray for David, therefor getting closer to Christ.

In any horrible situation: death, injury, etc., always look towards the good things.
I will never forget David. I know none of my fellow cast members, his family, friends, and all others that knew him will. But we all love the same God, and we all know we will see David again. In fact, he's watching our show from the best seat in the house, right next to our loving Lord.

Look for the good things. Comfort your friends. Don't be afraid to cry- it's human. As hard as it is, it's there for a reason. To make you stronger. To strengthen your relationship with God and others.

The good things are there, whether you see them or not. Take a moment to brush off the grief and the weight of what's happening in your life, and open up to God and His loving mercy and beauty. I guarantee you, you will fell a little bit better. :)

Open up your heart, and your eyes for those little good things out of all bad times.

All through Christ,
Maddie

*=All names are changed for privacy purposes.

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