He said, “Please show me your glory.” He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” (WEB Exodus 33:18-19)
I love a parade. It’s been a while since I watched a good Christmas parade up close and in person. There were parades now and then in Austria but nothing like the full steam ahead, floats, cars, horses, bands, beauty queen, and grand marshal affairs I remember from my youth. When the chance came to go downtown and enjoy a local Christmas parade I thought it was a great idea.
To add to the fun one of my two-year-old granddaughters joined us at the celebration. In case you haven’t been around a two-year-old lately they have a lot of energy (more than me) and a very short attention span. They like to be entertained. With this in mind, we expected Lily to be distracted during the two plus hours the parade marched by our seats. But a little distraction from our granddaughter isn’t really a distraction, it’s fun.
Hi princess!
We got up early and made our way through the traffic to a back-street parking place. We walked past the line of traffic snarled cars to join our friends on the parade route a block from the start. It was a cool and sunny day and the crowds were gathering. Vendors weaved their way up and down the street to offer us hot coffee and get us going with donuts, all for a nominal price. Lily watched the people coming and going and started to wake up and enjoy the morning. Then the parade started.
Beth and I were amazed. We expected a tag team approach to keep track of Lily when the initial excitement of the parade gave way to the short attention span of a two-year-old. Nothing close to that happened. From the first trumpet of the first band through the final police vanguard at the rear of the parade she sat enthralled.
She clapped for the bands, waved at the people on the floats and said Hi to everyone who walked, rode or marched along the parade route. When she saw a young lady dressed in a long gown she would shout out Rapunzel Tangled. (We didn’t know that was the phrase until later when she was interpreted by her Mom.) She smiled, she giggled and laughed and was entranced from start to finish. There were horses, cars, dogs, dancers and folks in large costumes.
Then the first of a couple big balloons came floating by and she was beside herself with joy. She’d look me in the face and say, “Big Balloon.” Each time a float appeared she put her hands to the side of her face and exclaimed, “Another one!” I really enjoyed the parade but I also enjoyed watching her excitement and thrill as the various schools, businesses and organizations shared in the holiday celebration.
I can just imagine God watching Moses’ face while He displayed His glory before the patriarch. I can hear Moses clapping his hands in excitement as each aspect of God’s glory rolled by in a divine parade. I think God was thrilled that Moses was thrilled with what he saw.
I think it will be fascinating and more than we can imagine to see the wonders of heaven and experience a glimpse of God’s glory. Just think of the parades we’ll enjoy watching as they wind their way down the golden streets of the New Jerusalem. We’ll be filled with excitement as we wave at Michael and shout Hi to Gabriel and the other angels as they reveal God in each step. That will be a truly grand parade.
Until then I look forward to my next parade. I look forward to sharing more of these joys with my grandchildren. I look forward to a touch of wonder this side of heaven while I wait in anticipation.
Bob and Beth Missionary Chronicles 