Parades and Promotions

I have thanksgiving traditions. Turkey in excess…cornbread stuffing…football. I usually avoid TV parades. This year, I sat down and actually watched a little of the parade and God spoke to me. How does God speak during a parade?


I was drawn to consider the balloons.


I thought that in the last part of his life, Paul the Apostle was like a parade balloon.


Look at Philippians 1:22-24 ,”If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”


Paul wrote this letter while chained between two Roman soldiers. He was awaiting his certain execution, or he might call it his promotion day. Yet the joy and anticipation in this passage shines like the noonday sun.


Paul was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for Spirit is translated “wind or breath”. That reminded me of the hot air to inflate a parade balloon.


Paul was so full of the life of God he was having a hard time staying here. But, just as the parade balloons are held to the earth by the ropes for dozens of people, Paul was tethered by the needs of believers he was teaching and training.


In hospice care there is something special that takes place. Often the patient lingers in unconscious state until they are released by loved ones. It’s like they stay tethered until their loved ones give permission to leave.


When the call came to me 11 years ago that my Mother was at the end, we hurried to Houston to be by her side. We got there at 2 in the morning and spent hours by her side as she struggled. She finally slept peacefully when she heard my brother’s voice by cell phone.


The next morning, we got back to her room at 9, held her hand, prayed and told her it was OK to go. She did. In 25 years of ministry, the first person I had ever been with at the end was my own Mom.


Like Paul, she got her promotion.