Last Friday I booked a gig as a background actor in an episode of the new CBS series, "Mad Love." I got paid to stand in the background of scenes and pantomime conversations with other people. It was a lot of awkward and a lot of fun! The show was taped in Culver City on the Sony Studios lot, which is about thirty minutes away from my apartment. When I got there I got my visitors' pass and made my way to the stage where we would be filming. This was so exciting! My first Hollywood experience! After I got there I was directed to the background actors' holding trailer where I set my bags down. Part of doing background is that you have to bring your own wardrobe. It is a long story, but you bring all these clothes options and then go through the wardrobe department and have them approve your looks.
On my backpack I have a small Canadian flag patch from when I spent the summer with World Changers in Canada. There were about fifteen to twenty extras in the room and one asked if I was from Canada. Upon responding that I was from Alabama someone spoke up from across the room and said, "ROLL TIDE!" Excited and disoriented I said, "ROLL TIDE... are you from Alabama?" Here is the rest of the dialogue:
Him: "Yes"
Me: "What part are you from?"
Him: "Tuscaloosa"
Me: "...No way! I'm from Cottondale! Where did you go to school?"
Him: "I went to Central."
Me: "What year did you graduate?"
Him: "'92"
Me: "My brother-in-law graduated in '93! Max Karrh?"
Him: "Dude, my sister used to babysit Max!"
WHAT? Are you kidding me? I am currently 2,035 miles away from home, in a metro with over 10 million people and I just met a guy who is not only from the same state and town as me, but whose sister babysat my brother-in-law!? Coincident or destined?
This Sunday after church a few of us walked to a Denny's that was across the street. I cannot tell you the last time I ate at a Denny's. I am pretty sure there is a faded plastic kid's cup in a Cottondale cabinet that marks that occasion. These days I am trying my best to not eat out. It is just cheaper and healthier to cook and prepare the food yourself. However, it is very nice to fellowship and get to know new people after church, especially being new, so I went along. I decided before hand that I was only going to eat half of whatever I ordered so that I could eat the rest for dinner. If I could turn one meal into two I could justify spending the money on eating out. I got a delicious hamburger and fries that I would have normally finished but found myself full with half a burger and half an order of fries left. I asked for a carryout box and packed my food, I was the only one that had any leftovers. After taking literally four steps out of the door there was a homeless man standing there, who simply asked for my leftovers. He had no clue what was in the box, but he was hungry. Coincident or destined?
These things happen more often than we notice, sometimes we deliberately ignore them. It IS a small world, and God is in control of it. Sure, I believe that somethings are just a coincident. My roommate and I both wore green pants to church on Sunday, nothing spiritual about that. But let us not overlook our situations and environment. Instead of taking the time to complain about the weather or about the length of a line, lets take the time to see why we are in them. God may have us in a place for a reason.
As for the homeless man, I told him to get a job and kept walking. Just kidding, I handed him my food. My goal was to turn one meal into two and I did. There is no way that was a coincident, God provided for him.
5 comments:
How super cool. I immediatly thought of that Roll Tide comercial, lol. I have family in CA. They are in Napa Valley, a little further from ya, but you are def not a lonely Alabamian. Congrats on your big acting job. I was just telling my Mom the other day about you moving, then I had to re- tell her you were the 'pretty boy' from band and she immediatly remembered you. LOL
Wes, you are so correct- God presents us with opportunities to serve him everyday. Most of the time we are too self absorbed to notice. I pray that you stay strong in your faith and know that all of us here in Alabama love, miss and pray for you!
wes tate you are wonderful! what a joy to read your encouraging words.
ps - i need to hear more about your first gig...WAY TO GO!
Wes! I think along with the acting gig you need to pursue a writing gig! Like FOR REAL!
haha I just laughed at the end!! I'm glad you ended up giving your food to the man otherwise that would have been mean!!
Post a Comment