Celebration!

Oh the joys of living across the street from the summer 4-H Fair! Once-a-year noises bounce through the air like a volley ball in endless action: muffled loud speaker echoes, buzzes of carnival rides in operation, occasional outbursts of shouts, screams and laughter, the bleat of a sheep or bawl of a cow. Underlining this pop concert is the constant whir of engines idling in stop-and-go road traffic near our front sub-division entrance.  It's hard to decipher any specific smell out of the odd mix of scents that assault my nose, yet, in spite of this funky odor my mouth is hankering for tastes of elephant ears, hot pretzels and Cajun chicken on a stick.

This nine day festival offers fun for all ages, interests and personalities. Being so close to this gaiety makes me consider the ability we have to celebrate. God's people, the Israelites, were instructed to keep several festivals throughout the Hebrew year. Each holy-day held significant meaning to their history and were times of serious contemplation along with feasting and merrymaking. Our Father has built into us the need for rest and refreshing and he delights in our enjoyment of things he's created to bring us pleasure.

We commemorate anniversaries of significant events with celebrations.  Even sad occasions bring us together for support and help us celebrate our dependence on God and connection to each other.  Jesus asked us to remember his death and resurrection; how often have we rejoiced during communion? 

Grand kids coax us into frivolity.  I had the privilege of reveling with three of mine one day this week.  Take a peek at some of the fun we created.

Maybe you like the appeal of drawing aside into a place of quiet rest and celebrating the stillness. My husband and I spend Sunday mornings before church sipping  Starbucks coffee on our front porch and celebrating our children by praying for them.

We celebrate God's goodness and love for us every time we do an act of service. Our joy increases if we remember we are doing it for him.

This past weekend we and three of our couple friends celebrated our summer anniversaries. After a scrumptious meal at Carrabas we gathered at one of the friend's homes for dessert and sharing wedding pictures. As we arrived in their driveway a hot air balloon was rapidly descending over their property tree line in straight trajectory for their back yard. A desperate voice from the flying basket pleaded for permission to land. Mike offered a quick courteous 'YES'  as the aircraft bounced down and slid to a stop.  The approaching descent had attracted a menagerie of curious neighbors who swarmed into the yard to spectate and assist with the touch down.  For a few minutes choas ensued as cameras clicked and many hands flailed on the sides of the nylon giant trying to steer the deflation from trees and bushes. Balloon chaser vehicles hustled onto Mike's property. Seated on Mike and Emmy's deck we watched the once towering vessel shrink and fold into it's surprisingly small carrier bag. As the crowd dissipated we joked about the extraordinary fanfare our hosts had arranged for our celebration! 

What are you celebrating today? No anniversary or birthday?  What about life itself? Take a scripture and get excited about the message. 

Ephesians 1:17-20  

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ Jesus from the dead..."

Dance on those promises! 

Wisdom. Revelation. Knowing God better. Enlightenment. Hope. A rich and glorious inheritance in fellow believers. Great Power. 

Raise a toast! Throw a party!

Come take a break from the stress, abandon the worries, don a playful spirit and worship the Father who made you to sing, laugh, recognize and create humor, and equipped you with senses to experience pleasure.