For Patrick’s birthday, I bought him tickets to see the comedian Nate Bargatze. The event took place on Valentine’s Day at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, which is a huge sports and entertainment arena. The night began with thinking we’d be late after forgetting to leave a car key behind for our daughter and having to turn around and head back home. Traffic was also ridiculous because of the holiday. After finding a parking spot, we started our walk to the Fieldhouse. Light rain fell as we tromped through the downtown streets filled with graffiti and street musicians.
Once we approached the arena, we landed in a long line of people waiting to get in. We wondered why we were the only “smart” ones with an umbrella. After waiting thirty minutes, we finally reached an open area of stairs leading to the doors. Another twenty minutes passed before we reached the security scanners. Two different women in line had warned me about the size of my purse but had also mentioned being able to check it for $5. That seemed more reasonable than walking back to the car and getting in line again. However, the security guard informed us that the purse check was back across the street at a hotel. Good grief! Patrick headed that way to drop off the purse and the umbrella while I went in and joined another long line at the women’s restroom.
Once we were reunited, we set out to find our seats, taking an elevator ride up five floors. The opening acts were already thirty minutes into their routines, so the arena was dark. An employee told us which stairs to use, and we began the long climb up to the cheap seats. I wasn’t wearing the best shoes for this and by the time we reached the top where our row was, I was feeling hot and wobbly. We crawled over at least twenty people who all had to stand to let us through the narrow foot space. Several times I worried I would lose my balance and topple over onto the people just below. Each step felt precarious.
We finally found our seats, but people were in them! After some investigating, we realized we had entered the wrong section. Ugh! Luckily, there were two empty seats in front of where we were, so we climbed down over them—something you’d see teenage boys do, not middle-aged, tired adults!
Because people kept trickling in and knowing the event was nearly sold out, we knew it was only a matter of time before we would be asked to move. So in between comedians, we transferred to the end of the row. And then again, when the moment was right, we started the long climb back down the stairs. We exited and re-entered another door and began our trudge back up in the dark. We paused at the top to wait for the comedian to finish her set before making another row full of people rise for us. This also gave me time to find my sea-legs before walking that tight rope. Honestly, what good are all these squats I do?!
When the moment was right, we made our move once more, asking multiple people to stand for us as we crawled past them. I even sat down in an empty seat at one point, thinking we’d made it, only to realize Patrick was still on the move! Finally, we found our seats! Breathing a sigh of relief, we were then able to rest and watch the show… or what was left of it.
At end of the night, as we were exiting our row, Patrick felt a tap on his shoulder. It was a friend from our church. She then explained that she and her husband were there with two other couples we know. We were only a few seats away from them in our row! And, here’s the embarrassing part… they had watched our entire adventure: the whole thing! We learned that if we had simply cut across the aisle we would have been only a few seats away from our spots. In fact, we would have passed right by our friends, or over them I should say. But no, we took two more flights of stairs! What a riot!
The paths we choose in life bring either blessings or troubles. Sometimes, the Lord allows blessings to come from troubles, but it is better to choose wisely in the first place! Just cross the aisle and avoid the stairs.
For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
(2 Chronicles 16:9)
We joked on the way home that we had been reminded that we are never not seen. I am thankful that we serve a God who sees all. Sometimes I wonder why He chooses the specific steps He ordains for my life. But I have learned that no matter where those steps are taken, they are seen—always by Him, and sometimes by others. Do I take them with full trust in Him so that all watching will be encouraged in their faith? Am I making a mark on His kingdom that has eternal purpose?
It is a stretch to say my many steps on Valentine’s Day had something to do with anyone’s spiritual health, but it was a reminder that I am never not seen.
By the way, Nate offered a clean, fun evening. The only profanity we endured was in the rainy streets. But honestly, I am not sure there is any human skill, comedic or otherwise, that is worth all of that money and effort. Did I mention that we also had to stand in a long line in the rain to get my purse back? This time was without our umbrella.
