Yes With My Heart

Makin' Movies!

For much of my life, I personified the Oklahoma! character Ado Annie, whose big musical number was “I’m Just a Girl Who Cain’t Say No.” Now as I recall, what Annie couldn’t say “no” to was kissin’ fellers, so it isn’t an exact match. My reticence about refusals was more along the lines of agreeing to do lots and lots of things I didn’t want to do, from serving as club leader, to room mother, to plant sale organizer (yes! They were that desperate!)

 

Nowadays, while I still tend to fill the awkward silence after my “no’s” with “I’d normally love to—check back with me next month ---let me think about it some more--oh, OK”, I’m learning that those two letters form a complete thought. So when I do say “yes,” it is (usually) with my heart.

 

Recently, I have been writing a lot of meditations and devotions. Especially in these extremely unsettled days, reflecting on Scripture has been very helpful for me. The Bible reminds me (over and over again) that while there have always been tough times and evil in our world, God’s love and grace are always with us as well—a sustaining thought for sure.

 

Another faith-based activity I’ve been involved with has been a new one for me: making videos each week for a YouTube channel for kids. “Faith Finders Fun” offers a different short video every day of the week, each with a different theme: “Treasure Tuesday” “Science Friday” “Magic Wednesday.” I hopped on board for an eight week cycle, and am now halfway through my small productions. My topic is not really a specific topic at all (“Random Saturday”), so I get to choose any spiritual subjects that appeal to me—and I get to avoid doing science experiments and magic tricks, either of which would be an unmitigated disaster in my hands.

 

To date I have walked an outdoor labyrinth, celebrated the church’s birthday (Pentecost) with candles on a cake, and talked about the Jewish prayer The Shema (did you know you can make a mezuzah from an empty glue stick? Truth!) My next one (about the Christian Fish secret symbol) is set for this Saturday.

 

So far these have all been accomplished in one take, which has pleased my iPhone videographer Stevo no end. They look pretty smooth, except for the fact that my hubby’s finger is often featured up in the corner of clips. This is, of course, accidental, but now I’m coming to appreciate it as a Hitchcock-esque touch (the great director always made a cameo appearance in his movie mysteries) and am tempted to leave it in.

 

On July 11^th I will produce my final film. I am already working on my Oscars speech, in which I will thank my several dozen loyal viewers (hey, we can’t all be John Krasinski). Seriously, though, It’s been a great experience, and a way to spread some positivity in a not-so-positive time.

 

Sometimes, saying “yes” feels just right.

I love writing these!