When one is in the presence of harmony and celebration, Hope is renewed.
As I plan to celebrate a milestone in a friend’s journey today, I am struck by the spirit in which others are coming together for the event. I am reminded of prior celebrations – marriage ceremonies where the love between the couple touched everyone present, recognition banquets where peers cheered for a team’s ability to collaborate for success, and saying thank-you to people who made a difference for so many others – and I find myself renewed and energized.
We can celebrate; more often and for more reasons. In an age where it is easy to worry and put our fears into action, there are reasons to celebrate. When one witnesses a beautiful moment – a near perfect dawn, an unexpected act of kindness, or a smile of thanks expressed through another’s eyes and soul, it is a call to celebrate. When one experiences the touch of compassion, the voice of forgiveness, and the listening ear of empathy, it is call to celebrate. When one is touched by hope in any form, celebrate by giving forward.
We can search for what binds us together with a bias toward the positive we will find. In the darkest differences and fears that separate you from me, the fact that there are we care deeply and passionately is reason for hope. In our passionate engagement, if we find the good within each other, if we see the face of God in the person we disagree with, we also find hope and possibilities.
We can celebrate when we are together. As another embraced my fears and uncertainty, I was able to celebrated the reality of having someone to walk with me. In anticipation of a group getting together with endless stories similar to my own, I hear the psalmist words calling out; “Lift high your praises when the people assemble, shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!” (Psalm 107.32)
In life’s turmoil and chaos, because of the harmony with others in my life, I know it is well with my soul.
