This weekend I had a great reminder about the role of celebration on inspiration. A very dear friend of mine got married... actually, two very dear friends of mine got married to each other! It was a beautiful ceremony and an incredible celebration of the years they've shared and the lifetime they have ahead of them. The longer I'm married, the more I appreciate a good wedding, and to be honest, this one couldn't have come at a better time. The weekend was filled with celebration: celebration of friendship, celebration of love, celebration of marriage and celebration of relationships both new and old. I met people from across the country who all came together to stand as one in support of Kacie and Robert, to declare their investment in the new couple. That's powerful stuff! And, while I probably won't ever see most of the wedding guests again, the dedication and love they all showed was inspiring. It reminded me that while it's easy to identify the potholes in day-to-day life, there's so much that deserves to be celebrated!
Of course, not every day feels as celebratory as a wedding. Some days are rough, some days are mundane. Some days are funerals (literally). The reality of life isn't always easy or fun, but when we can find things to celebrate, we find hope. When we find hope, we look toward the future. When we look toward the future, we are able to be inspired.
Sadly, I don't know when I'll see my newly married friends again. Kacie moved to Tennessee to be with Robert several months ago (as she should!), but that means that I "lost" a friend in the process. But, despite my sadness that I no longer see her every week, I'm thrilled that in the future, I'll see Kacie and Robert together. They're a wonderful representation of hope and inspiration, and I'm happy to continue to celebrate their future.
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness." -- Psalm 30:11, New American Standard Bible
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