Curtain Call — Week 4
By Margaret Lackey, Ordained Minister, Christian Comedian, Charlotte, NC
(Margaret also serves as the executive assistant to the administrative bishop in the Western North Carolina Church of God State Office.)

Hebrews 12:1:  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (NKJV).

One of my most treasured memories at the Old Courthouse Theatre is “Awards Night.”  Seasons run from August–May.  In June, Awards Night is held.  Everyone who has participated in a play during this time, along with patrons who have purchased season passes, is invited to the big event.  It’s a gala evening—enjoying hors devours, mingling with former crew and cast members, laughing, reliving memories on and off stage.  Then everyone gathers in the auditorium for awards.  I was excited when Steel Magnolias was called as winner of “Play of the Year.”  We rushed to the stage for a group hug and photos.  But I was overwhelmed when nominees were read and Margaret Lackey was named “best actress in a minor role” as Helen Armstrong in Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

In the play of Life, the final act will come.  No more strike.  We’ll leave all the unfinished chores and business of life to those still here.  No more auditions; we have been cast in our final role.  The play we called Life will soon be over.  The curtain call will come.  Rather than view the final scene as our most morbid, I would like to think of curtain call as our finest hour.

When the last act is done, the cast comes out for curtain call.  They smile and bow.  For an outstanding performance, the audience usually stands to applaud.  The cast rushes out to the main lobby.  Patrons file by, shake hands, and compliment them on a job well done.  Seeing friends and family that you didn’t even know were in the audience is a joyous experience.

Love for drama was passed from my parents to me on to my children and grandchildren.  My eyes beam from my heart seeing Landon and Peyton on stage.  We enjoy being involved.  There were times I auditioned but did not get the role for which I read…did not get cast.  I’ve played a townsperson, member of the crowd, sang in a choir and worked behind the stage painting sets.  Then I’ve been cast in roles I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to play, leading roles with many lines.…

When I come up for the final “Awards Night,” I want to hear God say, “There were scenes hard to play, times when grief made it hard to breathe and other times when happiness took your breath away.  But in whatever role you were asked to play, you did your part well.”

My family experienced a bitter-sweet curtain call of our hero, Vernon Wood.  In the final hours from a hospital bed, he spoke of angels entering his room; saw Jesus at the foot of his bed.  As we sang “How Great Thou Art,” he quietly slipped off the stage and entered into heaven.  We looked up into the sky to bid “So long,” to Papa.  A plane shot a jet stream straight up.  In front of a lovely backdrop—a Carolina blue sky sprinkled with white fluffy clouds, other jet streams formed two crosses.  Watching his final act was like seeing the Blue Angels perform acrobatics in the sky.  On impulse Ron snapped a picture.  When it was developed, we also noted the image of our dad’s face in the clouds. 

God knew the Wood clan enjoys drama.  That curtain call for one with whom we had shared so many performances is one we won’t forget.  I cried my tears through dreadful scenes of Parkinson’s taking my dad down, seeing my mother’s health fail caring for him.  My heart was breaking, but in that final moment I could not cry.  I wanted to applaud long and loud and give my dad a standing ovation.

Don’t worry for your life or what tomorrow may bring.  God is writing your script.  There are more scenes to play.  Take care of strike when it comes.  Go for auditions as God opens doors.  Do your best with assignments in the play of life.  When your curtain call comes, a cloud of witnesses will be waiting on the other side, in a standing ovation, cheering you on for a job well done.

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