improvising

I took part in an Assembly today for a local school (reception to Year 6). I was asked to speak about Easter and decided to use a magic trick to illustrate what I was saying. As I was getting ready a vital part of the trick broke. Aaargh!

I then had to improvise a repair.

Which broke before the Assembly began.

Aaaaaaaarrrrgggghhhh!

I then had to improvise a different ending to the magic trick (which seemed to work but was not visually as good or as funny).

However the Head was gracious and kind at the end and has talked about me returning. 🙂

It seems that a lot of our lives we have to improvise. As Robert Burns (or Rabbie if you are Scottish) (or Rabbi if you are Hebrew?) noted: “The best-laid plans of mice and men aft gan aglay.” I have blogged about this before, so won’t bore you with a repeat.

The question is: how willing are we to compromise our plans so that they fit with God’s plans, improvise in response to the unexpected by relying on God and harmonise with God’s Spirit so that we keep in step with him?

Improvising in response to the unexpected with magic words
As a crowded airliner is about to take off, the peace is shattered by a 5-year-old boy who picks that moment to throw a wild temper tantrum. No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother does to try to calm him down, the boy continues to scream furiously and kick the seats around him.

Suddenly, from the rear of the plane, an elderly man in the uniform of an Air Force General is seen slowly walking forward up the aisle. Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised hand, the white-haired, courtly, soft-spoken General leans down and, motioning toward his chest, whispers something into the boy’s ear. 

Instantly, the boy calms down, gently takes his mother’s hand, and quietly fastens his seat belt. All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause.

As the General slowly makes his way back to his seat, one of the cabin attendants touches his sleeve. “Excuse me, General,” she asks quietly, “but could I ask you what magic words you used on that little boy?”

The old man smiles serenely and gently confides, “I showed him my pilot’s wings, service stars, and battle ribbons, and explained that they entitle me to throw one passenger out the plane door on any flight I choose.”