I may have to call my adult millennial/GenZ kids to be sure – but I bet almost everyone has heard the old saying: It’s not over ’till the fat lady sings.
Someone Said it Recently
Most recently, I heard the infamous Dawn Barton say it on her Wednesday LIVE on Instagram. She was talkinig about that crossroads we all come to, right about the same time in life. The transition is intense, and it can feel a bit like life is, well, nearly over.
The kids are grown, and the nest becomes a lot less crowded. That’s when you and I have a moment or two (or more) when we wonder if this is all there is.
If that was all there was.
If the here and now is all there ever will be.
Someone Said it Before That
Just in case you’re wondering if this well-known phrase is an original (she’s got a ton of ’em), belonging to the author of a fabulous book about joy, I’ll let you in on a liittle-known fact.
The first recorded use was actually in the Dallas Morning News back in 1976.
“Despite his obvious allegiance to the Red Raiders, Texas Tech sports information director Ralph Carpenter was the picture of professional objectivity when the Aggies rallied for a 72-72 tie late in the SWC tournament finals. ‘Hey, Ralph,’ said Bill Morgan, ‘this … is going to be a tight one after all.’ ‘Right,’ said Ralph, ‘the opera ain’t over untiil the fat lady sings.'”
Wouldn’t you know it?
A Texas newspaper.
Someone Said it Best
Before I go to braggin’ like we Texans have been known to do, it behooves me to recall. Solomon already said something similar. His words on the subject of life being “over” have been ringing true for centuries.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens, a time to be born and a time to die …” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
And another truth is written in Psalm 139:16: Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
So, there’s a time to be born and a time to die, and every one of your days is written in God’s book. That means that if you’re still here when year 50 rolls around, it’s simply not your time to go.
There’s so much adventure left to enjoy.
We Need to Remember It
When you and I are tempted to grumble about the number of our years, let’s remember. If we catch ourselves complaining about unmet expectations, let’s remember. On days when we question God’s purpose in our lives, let’s remember the prayer of Psalm 90:12:
So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.
From deep within your heart of wisdom and mine, we need to remember that it’s just not over till it’s over.
And the fat lady only sings at the end of an opera.
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