Lessons from a Child - 4th of July

Oh, trust me... it's been a season of blessings. But, it has also been a season of crazy schedules & planning & travel... and sometimes of stress. On a good day, I'm a home body. And, on the crazy days, it's even more magnified. 

I love family time and celebrating special days with family. However,

I Like BIG CUPS...

It's Monday... the Monday after a week of spending time with family... with NO VOICE. Today is DAY 13 in the continuing saga of "Bacterial versus Viral - WHAT IN THE WORLD IS CAUSING THIS ILLNESS?!?!?" For the first time though in thirteen days, I woke up with a bit of a voice today. I sound more like a bull frog than a person. But, it's progress.

Violated Traditions

What makes you feel safe? What brings you comfort? What makes you feel in control? What makes you feel "at home"? For me, I've found comfort often in traditions. And, for me, those traditions are usually pretty relaxed. For instance...

• I like to celebrate Easter -- but, it has nothing to do with a specific food or meal
• I like to celebrate Thanksgiving -- but it's fine to do it at a restaurant every once in awhile
• I like to celebrate Christmas -- but, I don't have to open presents at a certain time for it to still feel like Christmas to me

Memorial Day reminds me of picnics. The Fourth of July reminds me of fireworks - although I still am not fond of the loud BOOM! Father's Day reminds me of buying ties or serving Dad a special breakfast in bed. Mother's Day memories are of planting a seed in a styro-foam cup in April & giving it to Mom just as it was beginning to grow.

What about those "sacred" days that no longer fill us with joy? And, what about when the traditions have been shattered by the death of a loved one or the death of a marriage?

• The Father's Day for those who may have suffered at the hand of a broken father?
• The Mother's Day for those whose mom recently passed or who've been unsuccessful for so many years at becoming a mother? 
• The traditional summer vacation with the friends who were like family but are no longer together & starting their own traditions.

We are all broken...
God makes us whole!

How can we celebrate holidays & continue traditions when life has crashed down upon them... when the memory or someone or something fills us with sadness or pain?

I don't have all the answers to those questions for anyone other than myself. And, for me, over the years, the answers have evolved as I have walked through different seasons in my own life. There's a verse in the Bible says that to "work out your own salvation". I've come to believe that we find the place of celebration or observance of traditions & holidays on our knees, in the presence of the Lord. 

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...

Crazy Celebrations! - 31 DAYS OF CRAZY - 14 October 2012

I'm a party girl!  Although, maybe not in the "eyes of the world."  But, I love a good party. And, I love celebrating friends, dates, events, holidays, accomplishments, new chapters, successes, the value of a life gone on to heaven... you name it. There's enough craziness & negativity in the world... why NOT celebrate the good things - no matter how seemingly small or insignificant!?!?!

FAVORITE birthday card from a
college friend who still feels
like a sister!!

This past week was full of celebrating for me. It was birthday week! And, as I told one friend, "You couldn't pay me to say my age aloud.  But, I'll tell people behind me in the grocery store line that my birthday is that day!"  Birthdays aren't about AGE to me.  They are about celebrating the great things that happened in the last 365 days & looking forward to the great things that are sure to happen in the next 365 :)

There's something about celebrating too... it takes your mind off the things that can drag you down.  There's a verse in the Bible that says that worrying doesn't add one more moment to our lives.  And, I'm convinced that celebrating adds more LIFE to our days.  If we're focusing on celebrating something, we can't be focused on worry or fear.  Briefly glance down at the obstacles of life and then gaze up to the light & life that can direct you along life's path.

Party on Wayne... or whatever your name is :)

Go check out over 1200 topics
in the 31 days {of change} with...

His Words: 
(got this idea from Chase Tibbs' blog)

• "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" Luke 12:25
• "The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together! Matthew 25:21 NLT

Happy 420

Oh, if I'd only planned ahead so that I sent this today at 4:20am or 4:20pm, that would have made me giggle :)  But, alas, there are many irons in the fire...

I have several things on my mind this late afternoon. It's been a full day & a full week.  Come to think of it, my life feels really FULL lately.  But, one thing that’s been on my mind off & on all day is that today, April 20 aka 04/20, is “National Weed Day.” 

Today many people (young & not-so-young) are celebrating the use of a controversial, yet ILLEGAL, drug in most of the US - marijuana. The social media world is full of references to 420. People are talking about how they are celebrating the day.. how the government & law enforcement agencies are controlling our lives… and so on. They're wishing each other "Happy 420" and getting together to celebrate the day.

In this blog, I have committed to be honest about my feelings & convictions.  I speak at the stirring of my heart. And, I have decided that if I must chose some meaning to attach to the “420” thing today, it’s going to be one of hope & encouragement:

 Deuteronomy 4:20:

“Remember that the LORD rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt

in order to make you his very own people and his special possession,

which is what you are today.” 

 

Now, that’s my kind of 420 – God’s very own special possession.  

The weeds I'm celebrating today are the weeds (okay, wild flowers - but, the LOML calls them weeds) coming up along my worn wooden fence.  They will be full of gorgeous yellow, pink & purple blooms in the coming weeks & months.