“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.”

–Winnie the Pooh

I’ve been in charge of games for over 25 years at various summer Vacation Bible Schools, and “Games” for the group of 4 year-olds always amounted to “Give the kids each a balloon” and enjoy watching the pure Elation of Inflation.  “Keep it up!  Keep it up!”  That’s all you need!

And metaphorically, we’ve all been given a balloon.

Some people spend their lives admiring other balloons, never satisfied with their own.

Others attempt to steal balloons meant for others, and in the process, lose it all.

And many are perpetually worried about if and when their balloon will burst…and their lives are subsequently characterized by deflated dejection.

You and I get one balloon.  And we don’t control when the time comes for that balloon to pop.  But in the meantime, let’s not let that balloon get puffed up with pride and inflated with egocentrism.  Instead, let’s fill our balloons with love, joy, and the sweet symphonies of a humble life well-lived. 

And maybe your balloon will fly under the radar.  And maybe your balloon will become a prominent fixture in the sky before its inevitable combustion. 

Regardless, you get one balloon. Cherish it. Fly high. And when your balloon bursts, let the shrapnel shower the sky with memories of the beauty you splashed on the world while you flew😊

Mark 8:36