Please Pass the Cheese

I saw an old and dear friend in the O’hare airport this past week. A flow of easy, poignant conversation crammed our two hour limit and I left incredibly filled up and thankful for the good in each day.  There is much to be celebrated, and lately, I’m the one that gets to celebrate others. Austin had a golden birthday, Katie got into her dream school, Jaymee got engaged, Jess landed a new job, Karly’s current job wanted even more of her time and talent, Kathi ran a marathon, Chase is graduating, Allie’s officially full-time, and my sweet neighbor, Madeline informed me that she can do a full turn in her ballet class. I mean, come on… a full turn? Let’s get ice cream.

If I learned one thing under the Trayser family roof, it was how to celebrate others in their times of triumph. So much so, that we’ve officially coined the words ‘good job’ as our family motto. Celebration was everywhere. It was cheesy, all-out, and glorious. My dad would bring home vehicles that needed to be driven from work, and before we could say “Dairy Queen,” the Willow Creek Community Church short bus was picking up neighbors and going through the DQ drive thru.  

This past Sunday, we had close to twenty high school and college-aged girls in our house. What others might deem nightmare, I deem dream.  Stories of prom, future, graduation and favorite parts of summer swirled around the room. The personality generated by this group could provide our little house electricity for the next three years. I have learned great lessons from them. I’ve been honored with the trust they so willingly give, and have prayed countless prayers over them. They are to be celebrated, not just because of what’s next, but because of what’s behind. I have sat on the sidelines of God’s coaching in each of their lives over the past several months and found myself growing by osmosis.

Even though I grew up a Trayser, I’m still often shocked by the value and importance of intentional celebration.  Moments stop. Joy is no longer fabricated, and the good that is available from God in the everyday is maximized. So even if it feels unnatural, overboard, or cheesy, we all need to celebrate the true gift that is buried beneath the hurried, worried, seriousness of today. God gave us freedom and delights when we are delighted. True abundant life demands the magnificent gift of Emanuel. God with us.  Forever and most vibrantly in the art of celebration.