Sunday, January 5, 2003
Sunday, January 5, 2003
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
As the bands were introduced at half-time, this father and mother felt lumps in their throats and
tears in their eyes as they experienced joy they had never felt before. They finally realized that
their lives were not in vain. They had made life better for their daughter and for those she
would
bring into the world. God had given them a special gift that would outlast them and anything
that
they could do or accomplish on earth.
The bands marched onto the field to a cheering, exuberant crowd. Their daughter's band gave
the best performance they'd ever given and basked in the applause and cheers of an
appreciative audience. When it was over, the eyes of these two parents were glued to their
daughter's face--a face radiant with excitement and joy. The father made his way through the
crowd, down the bleachers, and to the sidelines where the bands stood waiting to file up to
their
seats. He grabbed his daughter and embraced her. After a moment a teary-eyed father said,
"Honey, tell me about it! How does it feel?"
"Oh, Daddy!" she cried. "You just can't know. It's the greatest feeling in the world. Daddy,
there's
no way anything in the world could ever match the experience I just had!"
Her father held her for a moment and with a choking voice managed to whisper, "Oh, yes,
honey, there is. There is one thing that is more exciting and more enjoyable. There is one
moment in life that surpasses even this. It is when you are sitting at the top of the stands, one
of
thousands of people cheering, and you know it's your child they're applauding."
We are God's children, and God is cheering and applauding for us. Yes, we certainly
disappoint
God at times, but, through Jesus Christ, we are forever connected to God.
(Psalm 94.19
NRSV)
Lewis Timberlake in his book, IT'S ALWAYS TOO SOON TO QUIT, tells a wonderful story
about a young woman in high school who took music lessons and joined the marching band.
As
a senior, she played first trumpet in a band that was chosen to march during half-time at the
Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. Her proud parents stood in line for hours to purchase tickets
for
a football game that they had not come to watch. They were there for the half-time show. They
were excited and proud to be in a stadium with thousands of people who would watch their
daughter, the lead trumpet player, march onto the field and perform.
Loving God, let me hear your encouragement today as I worship you and share your love.
Amen.
