Over six years ago, I wanted to take a leap of faith and do something out of my comfort zone. I was single, so I refused to attend events alone. I never went to the movies alone and only occasionally ate out alone. I hated feeling the stigma of singleness that I carried. So, I told myself to attend a live play solo. After my courage waned, I mentally backed out. Why embarrass myself and show the world that I’m alone?
Since I hadn’t told anyone of this idea, I didn’t feel any shame for backing out. Yet God had a different plan. That week, my mom mailed me a cutout from a devotional. In the devotional, a single woman, who had toured as an opera singer, noticed one of her favorite operas was coming to town. She decided to go solo, but was nervous about doing so. But she ended up having a wonderful time! Through the experience, she felt God’s grace and joy.
That was my confirmation. I booked a ticket for Les Misérables. On a Friday night, I held my head high as I walked to my seat, telling myself that no one was watching me or cared I was alone. I sat next to an older couple, read the playbill, and waited patiently for the play to start.
At intermission, I stood in a long line for the bathroom then returned to my seat before the curtains came down. I read the playbill again, looked around the large auditorium, trying hard to not feel self-conscious as though the lights overhead were highlighting my singleness. When the play was over, I was ecstatic I faced my fear head on especially since I enjoyed the play.
A few years later, when dating Robert, he mentioned that his friend was in Les Misérables, so he went to the play. I was shocked! I asked him if he went alone and sure enough, he did. What?!? Although he didn’t remember what night he attended, I was still in awe that we went alone to the same play.
So, this January when Les Misérable came to Tulsa, we got tickets. This time, we sat together, enjoying the musical performance. After the play, we ate dinner at Basque, a Spanish tapas restaurant nearly.
Overall, I appreciated the play more because it reminded me of the courage, and the seed God planted that Robert and I are now reaping. So, no matter what you’re experiencing now, remember that God hasn’t finished writing your story!
