Hooray

 

As the spring season melts into the heat of summer, another school year draws to a close. I do not understand where the time goes; it seems as if we were only months ago welcoming kids and their families into our preschool. But graduation day arrived this week with all the laughter and tears that come with realizing our little ones are not so little any longer.

In preparation for the ceremony, a backdrop was placed on the chancel and this magnificent display of balloons was put into place. Balloons shaped like stars and suns and apples. Balloons in every color, striped and solid. They picked up the colors in the stained glass windows and lit up the room. It was both fun and beautiful.

But my favorite thing about the display was the balloon at the top with the word “HOORAY” in bold black letters. It seemed to capture the essence of the day. Hooray, we completed another year of preschool! Hooray, we are going to kindergarten next year! Hooray, our parents and grandparents are here! Hooray, it is summertime!

A part of me could not help but wish that this one balloon could stay in the sanctuary for Sunday worship. Shouldn’t we come together with “Hooray” in our hearts? Hooray, we get to be in community with those who know and love us! Hooray, we get to pause for time in a safe place of acceptance! Hooray, we get to sing songs that lift our spirits! Hooray, we get to hear words of scripture that point us to things of eternal value! Hooray, we get to pray together and be reminded we are not alone! Hooray, we get to hear of love and grace and forgiveness!

The Psalmist writes, “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”

Perhaps it is the “Hooray” we express in worship that fuels the abundant life in all our other days. We have much to be thankful for, we are blessed. Hooray!

Peace.