Celebrations.
They don't just happen, do they? Someone must expend some effort to make celebrations happen.
Plans must be made. Food must be purchased and prepared. Gifts must be wrapped. The calendar has to be organized. For some celebrations, invitations must be sent. For others, decorations must be coordinated. Thought and effort are usually integral parts of celebration.
Is it worth it?
I think so.
When we celebrate, we mark the event.
Giving time to an occasion attributes significance to it. We indicate that it is valuable to us if it is worthy of our effort.
When we celebrate, we create family culture.
What we choose to honor, and how we choose to honor it forms family bonds, family identity, family history, and family memories.
When we celebrate, we give opportunity for gratitude.
When I celebrate Christmas, I am thankful that Jesus came to redeem us. When I celebrate my son's birthday, I thank God for who he is and for placing him in our family. When I celebrate my daughter's graduation, I am thankful for the privilege of homeschooling and for what God has done in her life. When I celebrate the beginning of a season, I marvel at God's faithfulness in His creation.
Celebration is an investment...in time, thought, money, effort. But oh the dividends this investment pays!
This is Day 4 in the series CeLeBRaTe!! Click ~here~ to see more.
First, I love the window box full of gourds.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I absolutely never thought about celebrations helping to create a family culture. It makes perfect sense, though. Good stuff!
You put it all in the right perspective, Cheryl. I need to grumble less, and do more, happily, not grudgingly. ;-) xo
ReplyDeleteI thought of that today as I went to buy autumn candles for our table this weekend--friends gathering--no special celebration except friendship. But it makes a difference to have a pretty table. I'm also thinking out a game "20 questions." It's always worth the time and effort and even financial investments.
ReplyDeleteYes, and those memories created by that special food or that wonderful decoration. For example, I'm going to think I was there for this celebration because I'll remember that wonderful tablecloth and the terrific windowbox. (Did you notice my restraint with the alliteration? Ha!)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed catching up tonight, or should I saw this morning, I am having a sleepless night. ~smile~Enjoyed all of your Celebration Posts. I agree about the return on your investment, so well worth all that we put into them. Ebenezer was a favorite too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I am so blessed.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sue
Oh yes!
ReplyDeleteIt is worth it! One of the dividends it pays is passing along the joy of celebrating to our children!
I love seeing them plan celebrations now, and I know they will do this with their own families one day!
Deanna
I love this series! I feel so unsuccessful in the area of celebrating. I'd love to throw themed birthday parties for my kids, but honestly sometimes is hard to just get a cake made, let alone gather color coordinating paper goods.
ReplyDeleteI know you are definitely not saying that celebrations need to be impressive, but I think I need to grow in this area. At least one of my children would feel really special if I put more time into planning celebrations in our home. So I'll be following along all month and looking for ways I can put more thought and effort into our family celebrations.
Thanks you for the inspiration!