In 1964, the musical group, The Temptations, gave us the classic song, My Girl. In the song, they sang, “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside I’ve got the month of May.” The Temptations are singing about the month of May in this musical piece that became their signature song.
The month of May is a wonderful month. During this month, we have one celebration after another. During this month we celebrate our mothers and the important women in our life on Mother’s Day. We also celebrate college and high school seniors as they have their graduation ceremonies. During this month, many couples celebrate their wedding anniversaries. And of course, at the end of the month, we celebrate the start of summer with Memorial Day remembrances.
Celebrations are nice. We enjoy celebrations. But the truth is, we shouldn’t have to wait for the big days to come for us to have our celebrations. We should find ways to relish every day we are given. About this, Oprah Winfrey once said, “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”
Allow me to suggest a few ways we can celebrate every day we have. For starters, we should “live each day as if it could be our last.” Don’t take your daily routine for granted. Approach every moment with enthusiasm and joy. Secondly, “focus on the good in your life.” Develop an attitude of gratitude in all you do. Finally, “develop a sense of ‘play’ in your daily life.” Be a little bit silly, take a few chances, do something that is out of character, say “yes” instead of “no” to something new. Just a few thoughts to help you celebrate each and every day.
In all this, I might remind you that Jesus took time to celebrate life. Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding at Cana in Galilee, he had lively meals with siblings Mary and Martha and Lazarus, and I’m sure he had some lighter moments with his disciples. His charisma was compelling. People wanted to follow Jesus. He was a pleasure to be around.
Might a daily discipline of celebrating the “here and now” impact the ways we live and love and serve those around us!
Grace and peace to each of you, Scott