How do you Celebrate?

We talk a lot about trials ... struggles ... need. We should (at least talk and pray that is, not whine), as we all have them. Often they can bring us closer to God if we put down our weapons of the flesh. There is a lot of need out there ... a lot of brokenness ... and often we hide behind smiling faces when we are in pain.

I write about this a bit ...

But ...

But what if those smiles are because there is need to celebrate? What if we are in a season of spring, new life, and refreshment?! What if something happened that is just good ... fun ... exciting ...

Perhaps it's a success at home, with a family member, with a job ... perhaps just a great day with someone we love, or something we love doing. What are those situations in life that have you walking in the door, looking at those around you, clap your hands together and shout: "Let's celebrate!"

Think about those moments ... what did you do to celebrate them?

Go out to eat? Make an excited phone call? Grill food in the shape of a smiley face like I did after a great day birding? Take a picture of a bun in an oven and send it to your parents?!

These are fun and exciting times ... and fun and exciting things to do!

Yet can I offer a suggestion ... before all of that?

' Make a joyful noise to the Lord , all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord , he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.' - Psalms 100

My brother had a funny thing he did at times when the kids were really little at Christmas. After they opened the gift amidst many kids and loud noises, he reached out his arms and said: "You're welcome!" ... and got hugs after they opened his gifts ... and my gifts ... and my siblings gifts ... and my cousins gifts ... lol

That's terrible you say? Ha, no ... it's funny ... and I love my family! :) ... but it didn't work very well when they got older and wiser!

However, it's almost as if we do that to God ... we open this gift ... and then we run to someone or something else in thanksgiving and embrace that instead.

Sad isn't it?

So I just needed a reminder myself ... and perhaps you did too ... maybe you recently celebrated something, or are doing it today, or perhaps will do it in the future ... even if it's in the past, it's not too late to run to Him in Thanksgiving ... His arms will be open, I assure you of that!

Celebrate well with Him first ... then enjoy some fun ... soak in the depths of His Joy before you splash in a puddle of fun.

His,
~Matt