Today was a good day, not just a good day, but an exceptional day. I physically felt God’s Spirit in worship. I am not sure quite how to describe it. That may sound a bit strange to some of you, but I will try to quantify it. Walking into worship I had an irrepressible joy. My wife, Susan, and I were processing in with the choir when I turned to her and said, “I have an uncontrollable desire to laugh right now. I am on the verge of having the giggles.” She said something like, “That may not be the most appropriate thing right now.” I let her do the announcements, I think I may have started uncontrollably laughing if I hadn’t.
I was totally fired up about preaching. My fire I think became other people’s fire. It was just pure joy to let people know that our God is an awesome God and in his mercy he chooses us even if we are not the best of the best. I need to acknowledge pastor and author, Rob Bell and a smattering of internet folks for putting me onto the educational process of Rabbi’s. I spun off slightly adjacent of their focus, but couldn’t have preached without their historical help. After preaching we ordained and installed a couple of new officers. As I rested my hand upon the head of a new deacon that we were praying for, I waffled between weak in the knees and feeling something akin to an adrenaline rush.
An afternoon nap and a rousing good game of phase 10 with bouts of uncontrollable laughter made for an awesome afternoon. I then donned a shirt and pants splattered in paint just for the fun of it and headed to youth group. My only regret for the day was not staying for all of youth group. I bowed out a bit early to grab a little solo time via a movie. I don’t regret the movie, but it meant I missed part of youth that I am sure I would have loved.
Lastly, my day was topped off with a late night leisurely walk with my dog after a meaningful chat over facebook with a dear friend and colleague. I go to bed tonight knowing that I am blessed richly.
Why am I sharing all of this as a post? When life is good, when God is good, when joy is lapping over the banks of our lives, we need to celebrate it corporately. We need to tell family, friends and even a few strangers, the goodness of what God is doing. We need to smile, laugh and sometimes be down right silly with the people around us to just revel in the goodness of life.
All too often, I have missed the moment of now in yearning unnecessarily for what is next. I feel challenged in 2009 to enjoy the goodness of God and celebrate it frequently. Thank you my readers for allowing me the indulgence to include you in my moment of feeling a deep joy bordering on mirth. I would encourage you in some public way to say, “Hey world, God is good. Life is a blessing.”
And now that I have gotten to write to you my readers, my day has been made perfect. Good night and blessings to you from a very joy-filled Practical Disciple.
It does sound like a wonderful day. I understand how you feel. We get so much news coverage here on what is happening in Gaza and the myriad of tragedies that occur on a daily basis in Africa that it has really made me appreciate an ordinary day in my safe and abundant world.
Next time, though, I think you should laugh as you process. Loudly.
I will let go next time and just give a whole body laugh. I think that could be a holy moment. Peace.
What a hoot. I think you should have giggled out loud. Good days are such a blessing aren’t they? I’ve done nothing all day (I’m a sicky today) but have really enjoyed just relaxing. It’s great I had the time to do it!