A front row seat...

We all have our favorite places to sit! If it's at the movie theater maybe you like to be middle center. Or in a class-are you a front row seat kind of person or a back row, closest to the door-person. I guess it depends on if you like the class or not! Or if it is a Broadway show or a favorite sporting event or concert, you try to get front and center. Everyone wants the best seat in the house then!

And we should have that same approach and feelings with our life-the best seat in house! But some times lives throws you a curve ball and you don't want to be in that front seat of the roller coaster called life. Sometimes you would rather choose to be father back, or even in the back row. Ah, but once again, we are not in control of where we sit! God is. And he puts us in the front seat for a reason, even when we don't want to be.

Life hands us happy and joyous times-when we want to be in the front seat and have the best view. And it hands us sad, sorrowful, difficult times where we often choose a seat farther back-in hopes to cushion the blow. Why people do what they do and the decisions they make, no one knows, including themselves some days. Why something matters so much, we don't know, nor should judge. When someone makes a life changing decision and thinks only of themselves and not the repercussions it will have on all those around them, well unfortunately this is normal. It's life you take it, you deal with it, or you don't and you get through it...but  Life. Goes. On.

Being put in the front seat is some times an honor-I think! I remember vividly during some kind of Catholic school singing session I was in 3rd or 4th grade while a favorite teacher, Sister Anngel (pronounced Ann-gel) was playing the guitar and leading us in singing. I suddenly was called to the front to sit on the stool next to her while she played and sang!! I read the music off the same music stand she did-what a thrill for this elementary aged kid! But I was very self-conscience and nervous and thrilled all at the same time. And to this day have no idea why she did that? Was I being loud and out of tune?! (probably!) I was singing, as I loved to sing, so it could not be because I wasn't singing! And she was a favorite teacher of mine-my first grade teacher who go me through when I was scared and unsure. For whatever reason I was put there I don't know. But it left a lasting memory. I was front row!!! Front and center, above the crowd!!

Bringing back old memories, and not always the good ones, is part of life. When someone shares with you feelings and events because they need someone to talk to, and listen, it's what you do for the people you love and care about.

I was once again put in the front row in the past 12 hours when family members needed someone. First last night with a sibling who was dealing with emotions brought back up from many years ago when dealing with a parent needed someone to talk to after having the a similar experience. The conversation brought back feelings and emotions that I had suppressed and put in the back of my mind and old emotions that I seldom think about-not such happy memories.  And then again at 4 a.m. this morning when a very hurting, sad and at times angry family member contacted me. I listened and replied from my heart. Did I have words of wisdom for her-I just tried to be supportive. Did I bring her comfort, I hope so. But just listening, I hope helped her. For over an hour I shared the front seat with her and was there for her to the best of my ability, listening and trying to comfort and sharing. And as this new day was dawning I tried to bring a little sunshine into her life by bringing up happy memories-trying to help her see even a tiny ray of light.

So where ever you choose to sit in any given situation you may think you are the one choosing where you sit, but in all reality you are not...God is directing you to sit where he wants you to sit. We are just along for the ride, where ever we are sitting.

I don't like being in the front seat-I prefer the middle towards the back, where I can see but not be so noticed! I'm not a front and center kind of gal! But yet I want to see what is going on and learn from it.

So I need to try to remember to sit in that front seat more often, stop hiding in the middle or back and live life to the fullest! It's where all the action is. And I'd rather reach the end of my life living it than watching it happen.

One positive thought of the day: I like to believe there is not just one seat in the front row of our lives. I believe there is room enough for two or as many people who want to be a part! Together it is more fun!