Yesterday was a BIG DAY to our five-year-old granddaughter. She graduated Kindergarten!
Because of where her birthday falls, she is younger than her classmates and some of the teachers were concerned that she may fall behind the others. (Her mother told me this yesterday.) However, she proved them wrong and her final report card revealed that she excelled in all her subjects except handwriting.
This was a time to celebrate.
Pappy, Dave, went with our youngest daughter to the ceremony. I waited at home with her younger sister and big brother went to his final day with his classmates. When she came through the backdoor her face was beaming. I heard about the songs they performed and other parts of the event. Pappy and I gave her flowers and she gave hugs and kisses, many times over. It was a celebration.
Now we all know that there will be much bigger milestones in her life and sad-to-say, we will miss some of them. But not this time. As I was thinking about this this morning I remembered an obscure verse in the Bible and I knew our heavenly Father had been smiling as we were celebrating.
“Don’t be discouraged or grow weak from fear! 17 The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 CEV
He celebrates and sings and refreshes us with His love. One version of this verse says “He rejoices over us with singing”.
The Lord celebrates us. He is invested in our lives and marks down our victories, even if it is on the scale of a kindergarten graduation.
He also plans a party when we least deserve it. Sometimes we wander off to explore the world and all those pastures that look greener on the other side. We do things we shouldn’t, our associations are less than stellar and we ignore our Father and His desires for us.
But when we come back with a sorrowful heart, He throws a party!
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. 24 This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:22-24 CEV
The love of our heavenly Father is so much greater than that of this father but we were given this story as an example. Our father is always waiting for us and is ready to celebrate our return.
Today is a day of celebration – what you think you have nothing worth celebrating? Remember this final verse.
“This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today.” Psalm 118:24 CEV