Little Orphan Amy

My theatre classes recently watched the musical Annie.  Although I'm familiar with the storyline, it had been quite some time since I last watched it, not to mention I'm familiar with the Carol Burnett version and this was the Disney movie in which Kathy Bates plays the infamous Miss Hannigan.  Regardless, I was as captivated with the story this time around as I was when I was young.

For those who aren't familiar with it, I will fill you in. (All the while wondering how you don't know about Little Orphan Annie!)  Annie is a precocious little redhead living with a group of orphan girls in the care of Miss Hannigan - a woman who has no business being the sole caretaker for children of any sort, especially little girls whom she despises.  Annie's story is a heartbreaking one about a little girl who is dropped off by her parents with a locket and a letter that promises they'll return.  This promise is one Annie doesn't take lightly.  She recites the letter so often that her peers at the orphanage have grown tired of hearing it.  They tease and mock her but it doesn't diminish Annie's hope that one day she will be reunited with her parents and leave the orphanage for her real home with her real family.

Let's stop the storyline there because it is that hope that is the catalyst for this blog. 

 Although she is a fictional character, and an orphan at that, I envy Annie.  I envy Annie for the simple fact that in the face of mocking peers and unlikely circumstances, she never gave up hope that her parent's promise would be kept.  She was steadfast in her belief and had an unswerving faith.  I wish I could say the same.

A few nights ago I was contemplating my lack of faith and my inconsistent Christian walk.  I've been struggling lately to remain on the narrow path.  It is often so tempting to "go with the flow" and let the world suck you in.  I find that I'm not very good at staying "alert" and "ready" as The Bible admonishes us to do so many times throughout it's pages.

As I considered this, I began to scan the pages of the New Testament.  Originally, I was searching for the parable of the talents when I stumbled upon Luke 12: 35-48. 

³⁵ “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁷ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. ³⁸ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.³⁶ like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

I long to be that faithful servant.  The vigilant, prepared, obedient one.  I desire that when the Lord returns (to take me to my real home with my real family) that He will find me ready and waiting. 

Annie's hope was the result of an unswerving faith, just like the good servant found in Luke 12.  I could stand to learn a lesson or two...from both of them.