Celebration

I started a book called Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist yesterday. The intro says it all. It was recommended by my lovely reading friend Becca-- she always seems to be reading a cool book.

This book is about "Celebrating the extraordinary nature of everyday life". I am excited to read this. With all the stress and turmoil in our lives now, we do kind of need a reminder in what it means to celebrate God.

As I type, I see a celebration out my window... the leaves are singing today! Abe and I play this game- we ask each other if we can see the fall colors. He loves looking for orange- it is his favorite color. So, of course, we point out all the orange leaves.

I also have been in a celebration of family and friends. I have been overwhelmed today with the feeling of belonging, love and support. Our parents are wonderful in helping with the boys on our days we are at Lincoln. Our friends are anxious to encourage us and pray for us. People also have been gracious with their time by offering us sound advice and showing their care by expressing their worry. This by far has to be the hardest thing that has ever happened to us... it does not even compare to moving out to Lincoln. Tonight will be a celebration of candy! The boys are going to be pirates.

Every day is worth a celebration- maybe not with candy but with our acknowledgment of what is going on around us. Especially now when it seems like the world as we know it is in such disarray. Environmentally, politically, spiritually, economically... Celebrating will not overshadow these problems. Niequist says in her intro, "To choose to celebrate in the world we live in right now might seem irresponsible. It might seem frivolous, like cotton candy and charm bracelets. But I believe it is a serious undertaking, and one that has the potential to return us to our best selves, to deliver us back to the men and women God created us to be, people who choose to see the best, believe the best, yearn for the best. Through that longing to be our best selves, we are changed and inspired and ennobled, able to see the handwriting of a holy God where another person just sees the same old tired streets."

I am a pessimist, so when I read this, I was excited. I used to believe that I needed a reason to celebrate, but now I need to find celebration in my day to day business. Thanks, Becca, you know how to celebrate and I am grateful you are my friend :)