THE BEST OF DAYS

This is the day the Lord has

made; we will rejoice and

be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Through the years, holidays have been very important to us. For many years we had the usual holidays we celebrated in several ways. Then came the special months we were to be aware of for the sake of certain groups. I've never figured out how we're supposed to celebrate some of those. I also notice on my computer being told of special days we are to support such as: Donut days, Pet days, Cousin days and it goes on to be beyond sensible. Many folks I think just come up with these days in order to take space on their computers.

The holidays we've celebrated for many years will always be the favorites to those of us who have grown up with them from childhood. In my early years, Christmas was really special. In those days my sister and I would get boxes of gifts in the mail from relatives. But Christmas also had a deep and serious meaning. Same for Easter. Yes, there were Easter baskets and perhaps a new dress, but we knew why we were celebrating that holiday time.

Fourth of July is similar in our thinking as those mentioned. The difference is the participation of community for this special day that honors our country, it's heritage and history. For this holiday across our country, groups meet to celebrate with community picnics, parades and yes, fireworks. The sense of community and patriotism is catching, like it or not. I feel bad for folks today who would rather just ignore this holiday and all it means to we normal Americans.

Where we Christians are concerned, I guess I feel we should be ashamed of ourselves. Yes, we love our holidays. They give us a rest and change in the average hum-drum of life and they serve that purpose. We can see in Jewish history, celebration of special days but most are based on traditional and historic events many of which we can find in our Bibles.

None-the-less, no matter our beliefs or reasons for our celebration, we read in Psalm 118 that for we believers, each day we wake up breathing, is to be regarded as a very special day unto itself. That means there will be days with no birthdays, Christmas presents or new dresses...every day is God's day that He has cut out just for Himself and us. Each day is worthy of celebration even beyond Thanksgiving where we can enjoy the goodness of God in our lives. We often refer to Sunday as the Lord's Day. That's okay but Scripture tells us that every day is His day...so no matter our earthly holidays, may we appreciate and celebrate our Lord's day...every day.

Father, you are so worthy of our daily love and appreciation for all the goodness You our into our lives every single day. Thank You for Jesus who on a particular day when He gave His life for us, we now can celebrate every day. Thank You for our days with You and may we live them to the fullest. In Jesus' precious name...Amen