A new header once again! I enjoy putting my photo’s up on this blog and hope you, as my readers, enjoy them also. I was back in Vermont a couple of week-ends ago for a celebration of some friends’ 50th wedding anniversary. It was a marvelous time of remembering a fantastic couple and their massive contribution of faith, hope and love into their church and community. We enjoyed them and the many that gathered as well.
The next day, we went to a site that I remember with great fondness – this covered bridge. It is located only a few miles from where we lived for several years, and it is where we used to bring our four little ones to swim in August. Only in August would this river, the Battenkill, get warm enough to tolerate for just a little while.
Our children were very small so we put life jackets on all of them and we all went into the river to get cooled off. However, it would not be long before our daughter’s lips were turning blue. The boys always tolerated the cold better and we would spend several hours in and out of the water, enjoying the time of being together and having the river near by.
Memories and celebrations are important to us as humans. They have always been important to our Heavenly Father as well. The Feasts of the Lord in Leviticus 23 is all about celebration. They were seasonal and called for massive change in schedules, traveling, sacrifices, sharing, eating, rejoicing, giving gifts and most of all – remembering. Our Lord wants us to be a celebratory people. Our worship, prayer and life-style should reflect the faith, hope, joy and love that He has showered upon us – every day of the year.
However, special days and years were set aside to relax and enjoy things that mattered: Him, family, community and looking forward in hope. These were and are exceedingly important as we move through our days.
So often we complain at the commercialism of our modern celebrations, but one can always make them what the heart wants. The point is to celebrate, rest and enjoy one another – and the gifts that are given on any occasion. To give and to receive is a part of the celebration of hearts in our Lord Jesus Christ.
May we be a people of great joy as we continually recognize all He has done for us that we might in turn go and do likewise. What joy!
Anyway, just some thoughts as I share this covered bridge photo with you. Enjoy – most of all enjoy and rejoice in Him who is above all and the source of all!
Mannaword 