Place Name
“Never grow up.”
Peter Pan
I recently spoke at two separate events, and the same thing happened at the end of both:
People surprised me by clapping in sign language.
They knew I’m deaf and so, beforehand, they had looked up how to applaud in ‘deaf’ language.
They’d looked up how to celebrate.
Or they’d asked someone to teach them.
Either way, they had learned to celebrate.
My niece recently turned 11.
On arrival at her house for the Big Day, there she was, looking out of the window, jumping up and down with excitement, running down the drive the minute she spotted the car.
She had written place names for everyone at the dinner table.
Hers read, ‘Birthday Girl’.
She had no need to look up how to celebrate, or to ask anyone to teach her; it simply flowed from her!
When was the last time you saw an adult so freely celebrating?
I’m not sure I ever have.
Could it be possible that we lose that sense of celebration?
[Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
The kingdom of heaven is joy.
It seems that Jesus knew we might forget that as we grow older.
And He gave advice long before J.M.Barrie had given voice to Peter Pan!
Become like little children….
My niece is a child (but don’t tell her I said that!), and she celebrated herself on her birthday:
‘Birthday Girl’
Perhaps it’s time to change, and become more child-like?
To find joy?
To believe that you are worth celebrating?
Worth it to God.
You are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you,
Isaiah 43:4
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus…
Ephesians 2:10
What will you celebrate today?
Where will you find joy?
