Cheering at Graduation?

Alright, I thought I had seen it all…but…

Al.com reports a South Carolina mother was arrested for cheering at her daughter’s graduation.  While I realize graduation is a formal affair, a place of honor for those attending and with all the frills and proceedings which make it such, this is beyond my imagination.  There must be more to the story.  Please tell me there is more to the story.  Please!

I understand there is always the need to request no hand clapping, cheering, or other celebratory outburst during graduation as names are being called to receive the coveted diploma.  Yes, I see that these types of things may hinder and prolong a graduation with a 100 plus graduates.  Of course I see that such things may make others uncomfortable, especially those on stage, as they must wait for quiet before they call the next name.  But having the dear woman arrested?  There must be more to the story.  Sure there is, right?

This lady did what was natural and common for a momma who is witnessing the great event of receiving a diploma.  The emotions have been pent up, stored up, shored up, and pressed down awaiting this day, this moment.  We do not know what may have hindered, if anything, this daughter from walking across that stage.  As far as we know, she may have been the first in her family to graduate from high school and may have earned a full-ride scholarship to Harvard, with the hopes of becoming the individual destined to find a cure for the common cold.  But arrest her mother for “praising, woohooing and cheering it up for [her] baby?” Give me a break.

I can see this would be out of line at a funeral.  The service is being conducted; the preacher is talking about the deceased man.  Thus far the service has been tame and punctuated only with a few sniffles.  As the preacher prepares to close the chapel service, he says, “Now, we will leave here to travel to the cemetery, where we will lay our friend in his grave.”  Someone jumps up, does a twirl in the aisle of the chapel, clapping their hands over their head and starts shouting, “Alright, about time, let’s get this done! Yeeeeeep! Git ‘er done!”  Now, there is one who needs to be arrested.

There are times in church where I have longed for some excitement, some sudden outburst, someone to encourage me on as I proclaim God’s Word.  There are some who do not like it when others say, “Amen!”  Or, “Right on, preacher!”  Or the best one ever, “YeeHaw!”  These individuals believe in quiet, reverence as they worship and they do not want anyone to disturb their sleep; excuse me, I meant reverence.

While preaching one Sunday, a young boy, around the age of four or five was having the time of his life.  He was playing with his fire truck, talking to his mommy and daddy, crawling under the pew; in general being a boy.  His mother and daddy were trying to control him, corral him, and contain him; to no avail.  Finally, daddy picked the little one up, threw him over his shoulder and headed for the door.

As they were hurrying down the aisle, the little boy called out to me, “Preacher, pray for me!”

I personally like a lively service over a quiet one any day.  Saying “Amen” during the service is akin to telling a bull dog to attack.  It gives me energy, encouragement, excitement.  I have been on a few churches where it was so cold, I was afraid to give the invitation, for fear someone might fall on the ice and break their neck, before they made it to the altar.

One church reported that a man became sick during a morning service and passed out.  A deacon called for emergency services, and once the medics arrived, they entered the quiet sanctuary.  After taking out five different individuals who appeared to be sick or on the verge of dying, they found the right man.  I have been there’ can testify to that!

God’s word says, “And he answered and said, I tell you that, if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40 ASV)

We are told that if we do not praise Him the rocks and stones will be used to praise Him; that would be an incredible sight.  His praise is to be always on our lips, in our life, and demonstrated by what we do.  Everything about our life should be centered around praising Him.  Oh, He has been so good to me; I cannot count my blessings!  Excuse me while I shout for a minute.

When we examine the scriptures and see the progression of God’s people, we can not help but lift up the name of the Lord.  When we look closely at the life of Christ, while He walked this sod, we must praise the name of an Almighty, Marvelous Creator who came in human clothes for sinful man.  As we study the cross of Calvary, and see a dying Savior, it should not repeal us, but draw us into His warm embrace and leave us breathless from the praise coming up from our lungs.  Looking at our life-my life and your life-seeing where we were and where we are now-causes us to say, “Glory, Glory, Glory; Praise be the name of the Lord!”

Yes, let us show forth the praise of the Lord, today and everyday!

The mother in South Carolina may have disturbed the quiet, tranquil proceedings of a graduation, and as they said, “If you do so, you will be escorted out.”  Yet, in the church house, and in the house of our life, everyday should be “praising, woohooing, and cheering it up” for Jesus in everything we do-in word and deed-so others might know our Jesus!

Do you know Him today?