If you are like most people, myself included different scares you. Different job, different route to work, different topping on your pizza, it doesn’t matter how big or how small the difference is, there is some degree of comfort in sameness. But I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that some of my biggest blessings have come from the times when I have taken the different path, made a decision that was out of my comfort zone and embraced the chance to be, well, to be different. That is the time when different moves out of the uncomfortable and scary and into the exciting and blessed. If I were to ask you for a picture of your friend group, your tribe, the ones that you get into the trenches with and do life alongside, what would that picture look like? For a big part of my life, my picture looked a whole lot like me, very little difference at all. But my life took a big turn about 7 years ago, a completely different way than I ever expected. And with that new way came the chance to see situations, circumstances and people with fresh eyes. God pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me so much during this time. And my life has been enriched in ways I could never have imagined in the process. When we intentionally seek out people who are different than we are, who have different points of view, different life experiences and challenges, whose family structure may look different from our own, our lives become more colorful and vibrant. And we often learn that people who seem so different than us on the outside are actually kindred spirits on the inside…and that is when the blessing occurs. So look for ways this week to embrace different and watch your life explode with color, just like the flowers of spring! Happy Sunday!
Did you know the Orpheum theater was almost demolished in 1976?? The original structure, called The Grand Opera House, was built in 1890. It became known as the Orpheum in 1907 and was home of some of the finest Vaudeville acts in the south. This building burned to the ground in the famous fire of 1923. In 1928 it was rebuilt and reopened with much fanfare. The new building was twice the size of the original and built to show both live performances and silent movies. The building was purchased by M. A. Lightman for only $75,000 in 1940 and begin its run as a first-run movie theater. After over 30 years as a theater, the Orpheum showed its final film in 1976. Malco sold the building and plans were made to demolish it in favor of office space. Luckily, a group of concerned Memphis citizens formed the Memphis Development Foundation and purchased this treasure off the courthouse steps a year later. It was one of the first buildings in Memphis to be added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The grand theater reopen in January 1984 and in the last 34 years has presented more Broadway touring productions on average than any other theater in the United States. Another good Memphis save!
Another way to practice self-care is to find time to pursue your passions. Our lives can get very hectic, with people pulling at us from every direction. Many times our own passions and interest are the first things that get cut from our overbooked schedules. This can leave you feeling resentful towards the very people you love and care for. Over time this can cause you to lose your joy and zest for life. It seems like a quick and easy fix at the time, but it actually is an expensive one in the long run. Just like with routines, continuing to pursue your interest during the busy seasons of your life doesn’t have to take a lot of time, just a little planning, determination, and belief that you are worth it. Maybe you,
Beauty in the Ordinary 