“Mabee” it’s more than a concert

After we had finished taping this commercial, I turned around to look at the image on the backdrop: the Mabee Center under construction in 1972. I teared up at the memory, thinking about my dad and the year the Mabee Center was built. Dad worked as a dean at ORU for over fifty years, and in many ways, the school was at the center of my life. I watched almost every building go up, including the Mabee Center, when I was in elementary school. I remember riding our bikes to the location and watching the progress—it looked like an entire city! One day, Dad and I took a walk into the unfinished structure, where the stage and basketball court would be. The photos behind me reminded me of what Dad said about this building. He said it would host concerts, games, programs, and many firsts for Tulsa. That was a special day with Dad, and little did I know how right he would be. We were blessed to see it all unfold. 

What memories were made in this building: My graduation, my daughter’s graduation, some of our non profit activities, concerts, chapels, I even sang with Burl Ives on an old ORU Christmas special! One of the last ORU moments I had with Dad was in the Mabee Center, as he was helping to support me in a project for those battling cancer. We sat in an office behind the main entrance and had a special meeting with staff members, then proceeded to the basketball court to do a joy jump in center court. We were celebrating those cancer warriors and survivors! 

A few weeks ago, I sat at the same table where Dad and I sat years ago, only this time a group of us were meeting about the upcoming Grady Nichols Christmas Show. I could almost see Dad sitting across the table, cheering me on. When we entered the arena, in my mind I went back to those unfinished white pillars and stairs, just like when I was a little girl. Now, fifty-one years later, I was looking at a completely remodeled Mabee Center, and it brought tears to my eyes. My heart was so full. 

Working on this concert with Grady and the Mabee Center team has been a joy and privilege, but also has been healing for my soul. I lost Dad over a year ago, but being in this place where beautiful memories were made has been comforting. The Mabee Center has a special place in my heart, and I know it did for Dad as well. My parents loved Grady’s music, and Kelly Ford sang at Mom’s funeral. Andy Chrisman has always been one of my favorite contemporary Christian artists—Dad and I had every 4Him song memorized! It’s all connected, and I am so thankful.

I’ll miss Mom and Dad’s presence at this concert, but I’m at peace knowing they will be there in spirit. Dad will be cheering me
on, just like he did when he held my hand on that walk through the Mabee Center decades ago. “Great things will happen here, Lisa. You’ll see.”

Great things will happen on December 5^th, at 7:30 p.m. in this Mabee Center. And I can’t wait to be a part of it! 

Grady Nichols, Andy Chrisman, Kelly Ford, join in for a night of music, miracles, and meaning.  You won’t want to miss it!

Get your tickets for this amazing concert benefiting Lisa Bain Ministries at mabeecenter.com