Annie: I don't need sunshine now to turn my skies to blue. I don't need anything but you!

Jessalyn (my seven-year-old daughter) and I had the great opportunity to see the theatre production of Annie last Sunday night at the Tulsa PAC. It was Amazing!

I have always sang my own rendition of Tomorrow for Jess and she always begs me to stop. I really like to belt it out when she is having a bad attitude about something. Or when she premiers her "teenager-esque" colloquials such as "why do I have to do everything around here" and "not fair", which really is a whole 'nother post!

The numbers in the production far out rated my tone deaf attempts. Jess even asked for the CD and the DVD.

We have a lot to learn from Annie. She lived a life of hope. For the eleven years of her life in the orphanage she kept the cherished locket from her parents close to her heart. Every day she recited the letter of their promised return to encourage herself and others that someone out there was looking for her and loving her.

It had been several years since I had watched Annie. I had forgotten just how sad her tale was. In fact I worried a little that the facts of Annie's life might even break Jess's little sensitive heart. However, Annie's fire red hair characterized her spirit filled life. She consoled lonely children in the orphanage. She brought life and happiness to Daddy Warbucks and his staff. She even had pity on her poor stray mutt, Sandy.

Annie's is undoubtedly a fictional creation. But don't we have a hope and a joy to share too! Just as Annie we are surrounded by lonely and hurting people. Our hope lies in something much more powerful than even our mortal parents. Be an Annie today, share your smile and encouragement with others! And before you know it we will all be looking forward to Tomorrow!

The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope. Colossions 1:4 (The Message)