Share Now

As I sat in my usual spot in the orchestra pit watching one of the performances of Street Robber, I looked to stage right at a scene in the carpenter shop. The scene involved the carpenter, members of his family, and Mrs. Bickle and her daughter, the snooty rich folks who cared more about how the noise level at the Orphan House affected them than about the precious children inside.

Mary Evelyn created the role of Mrs. Bickle to teach, but also to provide comic relief in the play, and she chose sweet Maddie to play the role, knowing she would do a wonderful job.

From my unusual angle, I could see both the scene and a few playgoers in the front rows. Among them were Maddie’s parents who were sitting as close to the stage as anyone could. At that moment, it was as much fun to watch them as it was to watch her.

The Carpenter's Family and the Bickles
The Carpenter’s Family and the Bickles

Their upturned faces displayed pure and unbounded joy. Their smiles were brilliant. Both mama and daddy exuded delight in their daughter and her performance onstage.

May our children see that delight in our faces again and again and again. When we do that for them, we are following the example of how our heavenly Father treated His only begotten Son. Years after the apostle Peter heard God express His delight in Jesus, he recounted the story to “those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours” (2 Peter 1:1).

For we did not follow
cleverly devised tales
when we made known to you
the power and coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we were eyewitnesses
of His majesty.
For when He received honor
and glory from God the Father,
such an utterance as this
was made to Him
by the Majestic Glory,
“This is My beloved Son
with whom I am well-pleased”—
and we ourselves heard this
utterance made from heaven
when we were with Him
on the holy mountain.
2 Peter 1:16-18

Share Now

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *