Today's Confirmation Sermon based on Dr. Seuss

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

by

Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.

You have faith that will grow.

You know that God loves you

And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.

And when you decide don’t make the mistake

Of thinking that church is just second rate

Full of old people and old people thought

Because that is something we certainly are not

You’re part of us now so help us find ways

To make God a part of all of your days

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

For salvation’s by grace

From the God up in Heaven

So beware of those Pharisee’s

and all of that leaven

it can puff you all up and fill you with pride

till you think you’re in charge

without God by your side

that’s not a good street

you’ll not want to go down

and there’s many to choose from

they’re all around town

so study them well, take your time, don’t rush

don’t just follow the crowd or get on the wrong bus

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

And you’ll soon discover God

is even out there

For no matter the direction

Whether here or over there

You’re never alone, God is already there

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on your way up!

With the spirit to guide you

It won’t be just luck

With the Spirit inside you
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

And have lots of admirers

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.

I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

And when you get banged up

Don’t worry or fret

You’re not there alone

So don’t give up just yet.

You’re surrounded by love

You’re surrounded by hope

So now’s not the time

To sit around and mope

There are dangers that lurk

In this down and out place

But take the time to regroup

‘cause life’s not a race

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.

You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.

And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will always need friends

Someone from the church

To help get you out of this

Down and out lurch

Someone who will pray

Whether near or far

Or maybe drive right over

In a beat up old car

To listen and listen late into the night

To down and out feelings

And things that cause fright

Because that is how

The family of God works

With friends that will listen

When slump danger lurks

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up their mind.

You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!
Open your heart and let the spirit blow through

You’ll find the strength somehow

To give it a try

And stop sitting around waiting

For your wet hair to dry

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

Where God is alive

And the pray…ers are praying

And the singers are singing

And the carers are caring

The praisers are praising

The nurturers are nurturing

The servers are serving

And all are deserving

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don't
Because, sometimes they won't.

I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

You’ll ask where is God now

In this place with no sun

Down in this hole where there’s no place to run

And that big old hole

Is right there in your heart

Where you feel all alone

Unable to start

But something will spur you

To get off your butt

To thank God you’re alive

And get out of that rut

So on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike,
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And if you mess up

Sin boldly my friend

You will be forgiven and rejoice in the end

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Ripple Sato or Walker Brinkman

or Julia Radcliff or Russel Holland
You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!

(The parts I added are in blue)