Performance was my greatest thrill.  It wasn’t for the applause so much as the fulfillment of my life’s goal of bringing joy through entertainment. I loved teaching choral music. It was like beginning each day with an empty canvass. The appeal of the ‘open mic’ still thrills me. Every time the ‘tally light’ came on, I got an adrenaline boot. I am about to begin volunteering to sing about Jesus at retirement facilities in the Plano area. My first ‘gig’ is this Thursday afternoon. My next door neighbor has been volunteering for her church and I have offered to assist her. It will be a HOOT.  While in Rehab, it came to me that there was a definite need for someone to ‘talk about JESUS in song’ all over the place. So, here I go. That brings me to the reason for this ‘wading’.  The thrill of theater and the roar of the audience is intoxicating to a performer. When the ball of fire bounces in a scene that is coming together in the perfect way, it makes a thespian giddy.  But, the lines one says in portrayal, can leave another thinking wrong thoughts. I loved my experience while touring with the National Tour II of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, but the words that spewed forth from my mouth were not “Christlike”.  My mother saw the play a number of times and she commented, “Well, Jimmy, I nearly laughed out loud a few times”.  That had a great impact and moved me toward my decision to never portray ‘sin’ and ‘evil’ again. I spoke lines that didn’t glorify GOD and certainly would have never been uttered by My LORD, JESUS CHRIST. So, my theatrical days are over, unless rated “G”.  Those roles are few and far between. My favorite role was in “Wednesday’s Child”.  I have a video of it and it has value. I will share it with details someday.  My remaining ‘lines’ must be from the Book of Psalm. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.”   And that’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.     AMEN