The excitement mounts as each event unfolds, and seemingly every year some new event is added to the calendar. There is an anticipation in the air as the month of May approaches and as the race time nears. Whether attending the actual race at the infamous Churchill Downs or spending the day with friends and family in the backyard, there is much adu. Hats are the choice accessory, so picking just the perfect adornment to top off the outfit is paramount.
When our children were younger, we had a much anticipated Derby event each year. Everyone who lived on our court pitched in. We set up several TVs outside for viewing along with tents for shelter. Buckets of water balloon were filled for the kids, potluck dishes created a yummy buffet for grazing for the day, a chalk-drawn track created a fun ongoing "race" for kids - both young and not so young. Just be sure you have a stick horse, whether borrowed or created to get you to the start line. Someone always took home a little extra cash from the pot created for each race - no picking your favorite horse... just the luck of the draw of a horse's name out of the Ziploc bag. Celebration filled the day - both for the winning horse and for a fun-filled day.
Preparation, planning, celebration... A record crowd at the Derby here in Louisville this day- over 171,000 who prepared, planned, and celebrated the event that truly does put this city on the map and offers us a bit of fame. I love the feel of Derby Day - even from our living room, we were swept into the thrill of those two minutes... we (well, as least, I) stood when My Old Kentucky Home was sung by the crowd; we quieted as the bugler called the horses to post; we held our breath as the last horse entered the gate and ... they were off! Leaning closer to the screen, we moved from a quiet awe to a loud shout of proclamation as the winner pulled ahead to win the race! The exuberant crowd erupted right along with us - shouts, hugs, fist pumps, high fives, hearty handshakes, tears, laughter, absolute celebration!
Sunday's coming... may our excitement, our awe, our wonder, our celebration be just as intentional, exuberant, and celebratory as we worship the KING of the world! He is the great I AM!
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy! For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over the earth.... God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets... The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; HE is greatly exalted. from Psalm 47
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