Old Number One!

Tuesday. Fourteen score blogs ago today (280) I started this posting pursuit. I know every blog I’ve written has not turned out to be a winner but they have sprung from the heart and mind of Old Number One. That's sort of an inside joke and I say it because my choir list number is one and there’s this wonderful retired fellow in my Bible study who likes to call me that, “Old Number One.” His daughter sings in the choir and she is number 24. I told him one day that I might be interested in swapping numbers with her because 24 is the number of my favorite Nascar driver, therefore, I would seriously consider trading my number ‘One’ for her number 24. Ever since then he has from time to time called me “Old Number One.”

I was joking at the end of class one day about having trouble with the notes in one of the choir songs we were supposed to do and when this fellow dismissed with prayer he asked God to help Old Number One to get his music notes right. Everyone laughed and its little nuggets like his prayer that I try to share in my blog. He had first checked out my story. His daughter told me they were all at lunch after Church services one day and out of the blue her dad asked if she was number 24 on the choir list. She was stunned that he would ask such a question but affirmed that she was number 24 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Maybe someone praying about Old Number One getting his music right does not appeal to you. Perhaps you might think Church should be more reverent and rigid. I can see your point but I still love the things that bring a smile. This past Sunday we went over to our middle son’s Church for their special anniversary service. They had brought in a professional southern gospel singer who presented a tremendous program of songs and testimony. He had one of those set ups where he could step on a pedal to trigger the next musical track he was singing. It all worked well and we were very blessed by being there.

After the end of the regular service, a tall lanky associate got up to make some announcements. He was a little on the nervous side and made a joke about being so excited he might just start singing. Everyone moaned since it was obvious the fellow might not be a singer. As he continued to make his announcements he nervously was moving forth and back and accidentally stepped on that professional pedal. The music blared out and I thought he might fall off the stage he was so startled. He recovered and said perhaps the Lord did want him to sing after all. The pastor jumped up and chimed in that would not happen on his watch and told his associate to please just quietly step away from that pedal. The associate was laughing and the congregation were all laughing with him and having a wonderful time. Now that’s the way to end a good service!

Life is a series of events. Many of them are serious. Some are painful and difficult to bear. But many others are opportunities to laugh at our self and with others. I love story telling and know that life is richer and fuller whenever we take the time to share. What you have read in these blogs reflect much of who I am and what I am all about. Flawed? Yes. Boring at times? Perhaps. But always observing and seeking to follow God’s best, with His help, and I do need much of His help on a 24x7 basis. Therefore, try not to take my ranting and raving too seriously and where you do find something to smile about, have a big one on me! …..More later.