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The Importance of Celebration

                 I talk to a lot of people each week and I have noticed a trend: Bad news seems to be ten times more common than good news. 

                Now, if you think about it, that is not true.  In fact, most people are blessed beyond measure.  However, we tend to notice and talk about the aspects of our lives that we dislike rather than focusing on what is good and right. We need to change this pattern. 

                Too often, we worry, fret, and wring our hands about what might go wrong, and then when it all works out, we barely notice.  Instead, we often ignore the good outcome and move on to worrying about the next thing on our list.  That is a hard way to live.

                It is worth remembering that, in the Old Testament, God prescribed twelve different feasts and celebrations for his people.  Some, such as the Sabbath, occurred every week.  Others were once a year and one was celebrated every fifty years, but the point was the same:  At prescribed times, God wanted his people to stop and be thankful for what they had received from him.  He ordered that they hold festivals so that they would have a chance to share with each other and express their joy.  Celebrations were part of their calendar and they contributed to the rhythm of their life.

                We need to make a point of celebrating good things!  It is too easy to overlook what we have and only think about what is missing.

                Fortunately, you can make this change immediately.  You do not need to wait.  You do not need any special skills.  You just need to make the choice.

                In doing so, you will not only change your perspective, but you will also help others see the good that is around them as well.

                Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33).  We cannot get away from that, but we do not have to focus on it either.

                “With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name!  With all my heart I praise the Lord!  I will never forget how kind he has been” (Psalm 103:1-2)

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