I originally planned to write part two of this piece at a later date, but it wouldn't keep until then, so here goes....
Well, where did we leave off? Oh, yes, that's right. I was spewing forth pure unaldulterated bragging gibberish about my son, Clay, and his American Idol experience. Now that you all know how the story ends, I'll take you back to the beginning in order to explain why this is a story of victory, not defeat.
Clayton was not your average everyday kid in grade school and middle school. He has always been very small for his age, and his ADHD and bi-polar disorders contributed to some anti-social behaviors that the other kids and teachers didn't understand. As a result, he was the target of every bully that ever walked the halls of these schools, and they were relentless. He was called names, kicked, punched, thrown into dumpsters and lockers, and excluded from every activity he ever tried to do. Sure, many other kids can say the same about their middle school experience, but not to this degree. His inability to cope in certain social situations made it all the more worse. Eventually this would catch up to him, and throw him into a dark depression that his mother and I didn't think he'd ever come out of.
The months leading up to the start of High School were very unnerving for both us and Clay. The anticipation of what was to come, combined with the hope that all would change was a recipe for an anxiety filled summer. Clay was optimistic, although I'll never know how, and his mother and I were scared to death.
The first day of school brought about a change in Clayton that none of us saw coming. He was the only Freshman to make the competition concert choir. Quite a feat, considering all he'd been through. But the choir directors saw something in him that others never had. Consequently, the other members of the choir saw it, too, and embraced Clayton immediately. Before long, he had more friends than he had in his entire life, and was somewhat of a mascot to his peers in choir. Since then, Clayton has become a completely different person. He has a light in his eyes that we had never seen before. He has a passion for his music that is unmatched by anyone I've ever seen. He's competing and winning. He's taking chances and earning his peers' respect. Sure, he still does all of the usual stupid teenager things that get him into trouble, but that's part of the joy in all of this. We never thought he'd be a normal, usually stupid teenager! There's an awesome victory in that alone!
Looking back on the whole American Idol thing, some lessons have been learned. Ironically, Clayton taught us a few of them. You see, our eyes were on the prize, so to speak. It was just the wrong prize! The fact that Clayton made it to a place in his life where he was able to shoulder that kind of pressure was one of the "real" prizes. The fact that he was able to do it as calm and collected as he did, was another. Finally, the fact that he did it all with the help of his faith in Jesus Christ, was the biggest prize of all!
The recent passing of Whitney Houston and the related news reports, memorials, tributes, etc., have brought to light a very scary reality. What is the real prize? What is the true reward of fame? The collective ideology in this country (America) has reached all new lows in recent years. Pop culture has our children following (Idolizing) characters that are so bizarre and innapropriate, they wouldn't be allowed at the Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter! The level of acceptance in regards to sexual promiscuity, pornographic images and drug abuse in language, literature, music and film is absolutely staggering! Whitney Houston was once, an unbelievable talent. Her level of vocal prowess may never be seen again. But, she was also a drug addict. A tragedy, no doubt, but one that needs to be looked at with some perspective. Today, several hundred heroin addicts will be found dead of apparent overdoses all across the country, and you won't hear about any of them. Today, several hundred babies will be born addicted to some form of illegal drugs, and some of them will die as a result. But you won't hear about any of them. As a people, we are idolizing fame, fortune and those that posess it far too frequently. I'm guilty of it myself. But it's time to step back and take a look at the bigger picture. We live in a broken world. We could get all upset and aggravated by the images we see all around us. Or, in contrast, we could fall prey to them and embrace them in order to fit in today's society. But, instead, I'm reminded of something my Clayton said once.
You see, a light went on inside Clayton's head on a dark day in eighth grade. He was reminded that, while this world has it's dark corners, it's a world that was created and managed by an awesome and mighty God. Without suffering and tragedy, there would be no compassion, and without darkness there can be no light. it's all part of a greater plan, and HE is in control.
All of the images we are surrounded by, all of the false idolotry we see everyday, are only symptoms of the real condition, which is a genuine need for salvation. And as upset as we may get while being inundated with all of this "acceptable" media, it's important to get some perspective from the unlikeliest of sources, a 16 year old kid, who once said: "God's got my back. What do I have to be nervous about?"
We'll continue to watch American Idol this season, and root on our favorites. But we'll do so with a different outlook on the eventual outcome.Who's going to be the next American Idol? Let's hope it's Jesus Christ!!!
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