This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. [Psalm 118:24 (ESV)]
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! [Psalm 98:4 (ESV)]
Upon receiving an invitation from a business acquaintance to a “Celebrate Life” picnic, my first response was “Who died?” The words “It is just for fun!” along with the promise of pony rides, moonwalk, magician and games seemed rather odd for a Celebration of Life. That this was the 19th such picnic further confused me. Fortunately, accompanying the invitation was a brief note explaining that nineteen years ago his son had overcome serious health issues and every year since his family has gathered with friends and family to celebrate. Rather than celebrating the life of someone who died, they were celebrating that he lived!
Indeed, their son Jeffrey had a challenging time nineteen years ago when he was diagnosed with leukemia. All hope was lost for the child’s survival until a match was found and he received a bone-marrow transplant. That first picnic was a way for his parents to celebrate their son’s return to life, to thank people for their support and prayers during his illness, and to honor the bone-marrow donor who came north from Texas just for the picnic. The years since then have continued to bring major health challenges to Jeffrey; blessedly, he’s made a miraculous recovery every time. Although the young man continues to have health problems, he and his family regularly celebrate life—not just his but the lives of family, friends and the stranger who gave him life with her stem cells!
We know the prodigal’s father celebrated his son’s return home, but what about the widow of Zarephath? Did she have a party after Elijah’s prayers returned breath to her son? And what of Jairus? Did he throw a party after Jesus brought his daughter back to life? Did the family of Lazarus have an annual celebration after his being raised from the dead? Did these people continue to celebrate, not just their loved ones’ return to this world, but the simple joy of life itself?
This delightful picnic reminded me how important it is to celebrate life every day God has blessed us with breath. It’s not just birthdays, anniversaries or a return from death’s door that justify making a joyful noise to the Lord. Every moment with which we have been blessed, every smile that has graced our face, every embrace we have enjoyed, every moment with those we love—all are worthy of celebration. Our lives need not be perfect to warrant celebration and we don’t have to be in good health to rejoice in what little health we have. Today and every day, let’s be sure to celebrate life!
The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. [Eric Hoffer]
We were strolling through downtown during a street festival when we came upon the “bird lady.” With three parrots on her shoulders, she was surrounded by a number of people. I assumed she was a street entertainer who expected to be paid for pictures with the birds. As I ventured closer, however, she offered to let me hold one of her parrots. Never having touched a bird, I accepted her offer, anticipating a request for money. While the colorful bird wandered up and down my arm, the woman offered me a little food to give the beautiful animal. As my husband grabbed the camera from my purse, I kept looking for the tip jar or expecting to be asked for a “donation.” Instead, when I returned the bird, she handed me a small leaflet, saying “Here’s something about Jesus.” When I responded “God bless you” she said, “If you know Him, pass it on!” The crowd closed in and we continued walking on our way. Another person would soon experience three friendly parrots, an interesting woman, some Christian love and God’s good news. It was a mini-example of God’s grace. While I kept thinking I had to pay for the encounter, it came at no cost to me; it was given out of love—love of Jesus! Unexpected, undeserved and free—that’s grace in a nutshell!
Today, I thought again about that handful of dirt in the farmer’s hand and remembered the creation story. God scooped up a handful of soil, breathed life into it and made man. I don’t care whether the words are figurative or literal or if they support the creationist or evolutionary points of view. All I know is that God made something out of nothing then and continues to do so now!
