The Turn Around Skit

With a toddler I feel that a quarter of what my husband and I say is "Turn around." This is said a dozen times a day as she is trying to stay to play in the bathroom or go to something she shouldn't get into. As often as we say this, my husband and I joke about the song "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. Below are the lyrics that we always think of and tend to sing after telling our daughter to "Turn around.":

Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit lonely
And you're never coming 'round
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit tired
Of listening to the sound of my tears
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit nervous
That the best of all the years have gone by
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit terrified
And then I see the look in your eyes
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart

Truly the only reason why we are so familiar with this 80's classic is from all the retreats in high school we helped with or attended. If you attended any retreat anywhere in America in the 90's and early 00's it was almost guaranteed that sometime during your weekend this song accompanied with a skit would happen. Usually on Saturday night of a 3 day retreat right before the Sacrament of Reconciliation with Mass following after.

The essence of the skit (seriously, anywhere you see it) a girl has all these temptations surrounding her. Other people wear names of sins/temptations and dance with her and hand over their sin/temptation to her and tear away a bit of a paper heart she is wearing. She see's Jesus in the distance and tries to get to him but the sins/temptations literally surround her, but then she calls out to Jesus to save her and the sins/temptations fall to the side. Jesus takes off the sins and gives her a new clean heart - His heart and then they hug or dance to the end of the song. (Go to youtube and type in "Turn around Skit" and you will find at least a dozen examples if you are better with visuals.)

Though our daughter isn't always trying to get into something that will lead her to sinfulness, we want her to be safe and not be tempted by things that could be unsafe. God does the same with us - gently tapping us on the shoulder and telling us "Turn around." to look back at His Son and away from the temptation. And just with our daughter, it may take some literal scooping up, being held, and then carried to a better place closer to Him and His heart. We only have to say His name and let Him into our weakness, brokenness, and area of need.

****

God, 

When I begin to fall into temptation that will lead me to sin, please turn me around to face you again. I ask that you scoop me into your arms and embrace me to keep me from those things that are not good for me or would make me unsafe. 

Amen.

****

Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth