Celebrate

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Every new day is a cause for celebration. I'm feeling particularly celebratory lately. It's one of those times when it's easy to have an attitude of gratitude.

Spring seems to finally have sprung. It's been a long anticipated season.
My oldest son is coming home from his first year of college this week. I am so excited to have him back home. Sending him off was harder than I ever had imagined. I've grown and groaned a lot in the process.

In a couple weeks I am heading to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. I'm so excited about the prospect of meeting new people with a common interest. There will be instruction and worship and scenery that you would have to see to believe.

I've just become a team captain in our local Relay for Life event (through the American Cancer Society). I'm really excited about the opportunity and the privilege to play even the smallest role in this annual fund raiser.

I could also make a list of things which I am not so apt to celebrate. It's easy to let these things take over my thoughts and drowned out my joy. Some days I just don't feel like celebrating. The rain on my parade can wash away my joy.

However, God says, "look on the bright side." Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Luke 15 is brimming with cause for celebration. In the parable of the lost sheep Jesus said "Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Likewise in the parable of the lost coin, "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God."
And of course the lost son. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

I'm working on some simple ways to make everyday celebrations.

When I turn on my cell phone in the morning I am greeting with the message, "today has great potential." It's a good reminder.

I found some great plates in the dollar bin at the grocery store. They are decorated with a swirling pattern of rainbow colors and I love to use them. I also have some china. Sometimes it's fun to pull it out and use "just because."

I could stop at the store on the way home and pick up a balloon. When my bewildered family asks what it's for...I've got a golden opportunity to start a conversations about the wonders of God or to say that I've just been considering how blessed we are that all of our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20...but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.)

I'm going to clean up a bud vase for a single cut flower and attach a note of praise. A young friend of mine just completed her GED and is looking forward to graduation. I'm going to dig out my craft supplies and make her a hand-made card of congratulations.

The possibilities are endless. Our attitudes (both the good and the bad) are contagious. Though I am usually prepared to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep, my goal is to actively celebrate a lot more often and to spread a grateful and joyful attitude. If you have any ideas for some "every day kind of celebration" let me know.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Thanks,
Lisa