West Cocoa Chat

Call me a softy but the standing ovations that I've been a part of (no, the "Wave" does not count) usually brings me to tears. There is something special about a moment when a crowd of people, most you do not know, collectively are moved and act upon that moment by acknowledging an accomplishment or person with a standing ovation. I wonder if standing ovations are cross-cultural? I remember watching the 1972 (it was playing in the maternity ward of the hospital I was born in) Summer Olympic Games from Munich, Germany. Two things we learned from Jim McKay (ABC Wide World of Sports / “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”) were that European crowds clapped in unison and they whistled at moments that Americans would normally resort to booing. Sorry, I digress.

There are 2 standing ovations that come to my mind. The first took place in 1992 at the Middle School where I taught Math. Junny Rios-Martinez was an 11-year-old sixth grader in my First Period Class. Through a series of events Junny was kidnapped, raped, and murdered. It was a heinous crime and our student body didn’t quite know how to react. When the grief counselors came to our school, students exhibited emotions that varied from anger to fright.

Then came the day for our Memorial Service that we held for Junny’s Family. A tree had been donated and was ready to be planted between the first and second wings of our school in memory of Junny. The family had been invited to ceremonially plant the tree. The entire student body waited for the family to arrive. When Junny’s Family entered the courtyard, some 800 middle school students rose to their feet and gave this family a standing ovation. It was as if the students, acting collectively were telling the family we’re with you, we support you, and we love you. I’ll never forget Junny or that moment.

The second “standing-O” occurred this past Saturday. My “Niece-in-Christ” Jessica graduated from Azusa Pacific University and I was privileged to be part of her extended family in attendance. At the beginning of the Graduation Ceremony, the President of APU called up 2 special parents. Their daughter had been killed in a car accident during her sophomore year. The President said that the decision was made 2 years ago to award her a degree posthumously when her class graduated. As he presented her parents with her diploma, the entire crowd including her fellow students gave her parents a standing ovation that lasted for several moments. I couldn’t help but cry especially considering that just a few weeks earlier, one of our young ladies, 22 year old Erin Blake was killed by a drunk driver here in Central Florida.

What is it that motivates a crowd of people to acknowledge someone with a standing ovation? Why can’t we as people and individuals be more giving, more caring, and more prone to encourage people rather than discourage them? I know all of us that blog need encouragement for various trials that we face. Sad to say but there are times when the very instrument (like people in our churches) we are a part of which should be a place of encouragement, can be discouraging.

Let today be a day of encouragement. You matter, you make a difference, you can persevere through the trials you’re facing, and most of all God loves you! You have as much worth to Him as the very matter He created to create the universe we live in today.
This standing ovation is for you.