Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem (12/10/24)[Prayer]

During the 1980's and 90's, I was trying to serve, not two, but at least three "masters". I had a big keyboard rig that included several MIDI Devices. This included keyboards, drum machines, Vocal Effects Processors, and additional devices that made my keyboard sound like a 16-Piece orchestra. I had designed programs that were especially popular with Senior Citizens, as I could do a whole set of Andrews Sisters Songs, singing in Three-Part Harmony with myself. Every day I would have at least two Senior Centers, Nursing Homes, or Assisted Living Facilities booked, and on weekends, I did small weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, and even Funerals. It seemed that Ninety Percent of my job was schlepping Sound Equipment, but I had a lot of Energy and loved my job.

For the Weekday jobs with the Seniors, I didn't request a Deposit. It was the Word of the Activities Director and the Trust I had earned to show up on time. That's just the way that end of the business worked. It was all word-of-mouth, and almost always worked. A few snags here and there happened when there was a lapse in leadership or a Double Booking, but the Good Gigs made up for those few disappointments.

The REAL Money was in the Event Gigs, the Weddings and Private Parties. I played everything from Biker Weddings, to Gypsy Funerals, to Events at the Israeli Consulate (to the great amusement of the Guests, I was a Gentile Girl who could sing in Hebrew and Yiddish). These Events were big money and required a Deposit to secure the Date.

A dilemma came up when I got a request to play at a huge Charity Event on a Thursday Morning. Thursdays were reserved for the Alzheimer's Center, where I did an hour-long Musical Program that included "Memory Awareness", "Reality Orientation" and other terms for Therapy for those with Memory Disorders.

The spokesperson for the Charity Event tried to wheedle me into canceling the Alzheimer's Show because HER Charity was much more important, and my Fee would be more than four times the pittance I would get from the Nursing Home.

Besides" she reasoned, "They won't even remember that you weren't there!"

Although I found that to be profoundly disrespectful, I requested a $100.00 deposit to secure the Gig, and then called the Activities Director at the Nursing Home to cancel that Thursday Morning's Program. The Activities Director said it was no problem, that she would play records that morning, all was good, and we'll see you the following Thursday. OK. Whew! I would hate to lose a Faithful Customer.

The following week I received a signed Contract and a $100.00 deposit from the Charity Event and started putting together my Three Hour program.

The Day before the Gig, I got a call from the same woman who had convinced me to take the Gig. She said they had not sold enough tickets and were CANCELLING. Not only that, but she wanted her Deposit back. I explained to her all the ins and outs of Contract Law, that both Parties have to have "consideration", that I canceled one date to do hers, etc etc, but she whined and complained so much that I wrote the organization a check, just to preserve my own dignity. (And maybe secure a gig in the future, one has to walk on eggshells sometimes).

As the old saying goes:

THAT'S SHOW BIZ!

St. Paul, who had a knowledge of both Religious and Secular Law, describes The Holy Spirit as a "Deposit" on Eternal Life. Paul uses the analogy at least Three Times in his letters. While it is a legal term, it is also Spiritual, as it recognizes a Promise of an Inheritance that defies Limits and Boundaries. One of our Group here compared This "Earnest" to her Engagement Ring. We will explore that aspect in Tomorrow's Meditation.

Yesterday, we spoke of a "Deposit" in Real Estate, showing that a potential buyer was "in earnest" in making an offer on a House. Today we spoke of a "Deposit" in the Music Business to secure a Date and not book anyone else in that spot. Tomorrow we will talk about the Seal, which guarantees the Inheritance.

Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.