Today I will Celebrate

Good afternoon, my friends,

Today I am struck with the need to celebrate! I'm joyful today and I just had to share that!! Our God is really an awesome God!

Psalm 30:11
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Those of you who know me, know that I am more of an Eeyore, always looking for the gray clouds and the rain.....I want to be a Tigger....So overcome with the joy of the Lord, that I bounce! Well, not literally, bouncing for me, gives a whole new meaning to the words "Shake, Rattle and Roll". I want to be the kind of person who inspires others to find the joy......In this world, with the economy and the state of our lives, homes and families, it's hard to find joy! Trust me, it's there, you just have to believe and look for it. For me, as a submissive wife and mother, joy is getting Mark ready for work....Making sure his lunch is made, his clothes are clean and his coffee is perked. It's being here for Mariah, when she arrives home from school, making her dinner and listening to her, when she has something to say.....To me, joy is serving others, seeing to the needs of the ones I love, so that their lives are full and they lack for nothing. And though there are days when I just don't feel it, there is joy in dirty dishes and piles of laundry. We just need to have the right perspective. The Bible says to count it all joy! ALL? Yes, all....

James 1:2-4 (New King James Version)

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

God is really impressing on me, today to look at everything in my life with joy! Really God? Everything? Yep! Everything!! Okay, Okay "Joy to the dishes the soap has come"

.....and not only does God want me to find joy in everything, but I have to celebrate it, too.....

Wait a daggone minute, here! You mean I have to celebrate, too?? Yup!! What could there possibly be to celebrate about washing dishes.....Praise the Lord, I have dishpan hands? Somebody call Madge the Manicurist!! Perspective, here Lisa! Find the joy!!

Okay, lets put this into joy's perspective......You have a family, who gathers at your table and fills their empty tummies with food from those dishes at the same time, they're filling their spirits with the love that you give while preparing and serving that food.....You are surrounded by those who love and need you. That's joy......I remember watching my grandmother wash her dishes and clean her house, when I was young.....She always sang hymns, while she went about her chores.....She was joyful and she celebrated by praising the Lord, even in the midst of dirty dishes, carpet sweepers and Windex.

Joy and Celebration, that's what life is all about! Imagine what the world would be like, if we all found joy in the things that we have to do each day.....How many lives would be changed? How many frowns would become smiles? What would it be like if all our crying was transformed into dancing? Jesus is that Joy! When we give our lives and hearts over to Jesus and are one with His plan and purpose for our lives, then that joy just bubbles out...affecting everything we say, do, think and feel. It's as if the morning has a whole new meaning!! A brand new day of celebration and joy!!

For me, today, joy is staying on my food plan!! It's getting out of the house and driving down to the gym to exercise, even though I am sore from yesterday's exercise and would really rather stay here, in front of the computer......It's believing in God enough to believe in myself and give myself credit, where credit is due! I'm celebrating rebirth.....forgiveness...salvation....and the love of God!

Join me today.....Be joyful, Celebrate.....Change your perspective! Love each other as He loves.....

I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart.......

In Him,
Lisa