Yes!

From the "out of the mouths of babes" department...

This past Sunday we had a visit from The Diocesan Bishop to confirm and receive several members of our congregation.  It was a grand worship celebration with all the wonderful accoutrements: beautiful hymns, incense, candles, bells, powerful preaching, visitors and glory to God. 

After the confirmation and reception, the Bishop led the congregation in the renewal of baptismal vows, which is common in a service like this. As per the liturgy, the Bishop began,

Bishop      Do you believe in God the Father?

[At this point, the congregation would normally have replied,
People       I believe in God, the Father almighty,
                   creator of heaven and earth.]

However, instead, we heard from a 5 year old in the front pew, saying loudly, YES!

Well, we probably could have just stopped the whole liturgy there.  It was fantastic!  The Bishop paused, the people paused, and somewhere in the back of the sanctuary, someone began, "I believe in..." and the liturgy continued.

So I reflect on the power of the interrupting YES in my life.  How often have I found myself simply responding to someone's request with the expected answer.  I think today that I will simply say YES - to my conversation partner, to my loved ones, to God.

God Says Yes To Me by Kaylin Haught

I asked God if it was okay to be melodramatic
and she said yes
I asked her if it was okay to be short
and she said it sure is
I asked her if I could wear nail polish
or not wear nail polish
and she said honey
she calls me that sometimes
she said you can do just exactly
what you want to
Thanks God I said
And is it even okay if I don't paragraph
my letters
Sweetcakes God said
who knows where she picked that up
what I'm telling you is
Yes Yes Yes

How will you say YES in this moment?