“The King and I”

  Many months ago, my youngest sister Jill called with a special request. Tickets were on sale for the musical performance of “The King and I” at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Jill wanted to take middle sister Jan and me (‘the old one’) to see the musical and offered to buy the tickets as well as drive us down to Los Angeles.

   It was quite a special offer, considering that she was willing to make the long trip after teaching school all day. The timing turned out to be perfect for me, since we had just gotten home from a visit to Michigan and hadn’t planned anything else major—except for trying to sell our house! 

   Al and I were invited to spend the night at Jan’s home in Bakersfield after the play. So we drove down to Bakersfield to rendezvous with Jan and Jill on the afternoon of December 15th. Al and our brother-in-law planned to go out to dinner together, while the three of us ‘girls’ decided to stop at a restaurant on the Ridge. We thought we were leaving town early enough to do that and still arrive at the Pantages in time for the 8:00 p.m. show.

   The weather forecast predicted rain during the afternoon and evening, with possible snow flurries on the mountain pass. “Pray that it (bad weather) won’t start until after midnight,” Jill advised. However, it was already raining when we left town and didn’t let up during the drive south.  

   Everything went smoothly until we merged onto the Santa Ana freeway and plunged right into the middle of “rush hour” traffic. What a misnomer! With such heavy traffic, no one can be in a hurry; and it seems to last from morning to night rather than just an hour.

   When Jan suggested using an app on her phone to find alternative routes, we got off the freeway and went through a maze of surface streets which were also jammed with cars. Apparently lots of people were headed in the same direction and were also using that app. With about a half hour to spare, Jill found a parking space close to the theater. That turned out to be a blessing since it was raining harder, making the famous star-studded Hollywood sidewalk in front of the theater slippery.

   It was a special evening, in spite of the rainy conditions. I enjoyed the musical immensely and thought the interaction between two of the main characters—the King of Siam and Anna, the newly hired schoolteacher for his children, was especially interesting. Their relationship started out on the wrong foot when the King forgot that part of the terms of Anna’s contract was that he would provide a house on the palace grounds where she and her little son could live.   

   Anna was very determined that the King should keep his promise; however he had no recollection of it, just like he conveniently forgot other promises made to foreign dignitaries. He couldn’t understand why she kept insisting on having her own house. This led to some very volatile scenes between the two of them.

   I was reminded of the importance of keeping a promise, no matter how large or small. There are numerous examples of promises in the Bible. Two that form the foundation of the Christian faith are that of a Messiah who would bring salvation to all who believe in Him, which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and that Jesus would one day return as King of kings and Lord of Lords. The second one has not yet been fulfilled. But, unlike the king of Siam, God always keeps His promises! We need to be ready! Christmas is a good time to begin the preparations!

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV