This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
Be honest. Are you tempted not to read this because the title is just a little too perky or trite or cliché? I get it. Sometimes I’m not having any of it either. But I’ve sensed the Lord nudging me to sling a little joy your way, and maybe this one is for you after all.
I’m a collector of mottos. Little sayings or mantras or life philosophies that are tall with wisdom but short on words are often the very thing that most perfectly communicates the heart of a matter soundly and succinctly. A few right off the top of my head:
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. (My children know this Robin Dance-ism all too well.)
Seek to understand before needing to be understood. (my version of Dr. Covey’s Habit 5)
Parent hard and on purpose and with the end goal in mind. (Another one of mine)
Leave it better than you found it.
Something is better than nothing.
God gave you two ears and one mouth so listen twice as much as you speak.
Lead with love.
Don’t believe anything you read or hear and only half of what you see. (Granddaddy Jake, Scripture notwithstanding)
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. (Benjamin Franklin)
Age is the price you pay for life, and it’s not a privilege everyone gets to have. (Mama’s Way)
I have Jon Dorenbos and America’s Got Talent to thank for my newest favorite saying. Jon is a former collegiate and professional football player whose athletic career came to an abrupt end with the discovery of an aortic aneurysm during a routine physical, requiring him to have immediate open heart surgery. With football behind him Jon transitioned to magic, a passion he discovered as a child and continued to develop even during his years in the NFL. Jon competed in two seasons of AGT, earning a third place finish in its eleventh season and later becoming a World Champions finalist.
It was in Jon’s most recent performances I found inspiration as he ended his show-stopping magic act with seven powerful words: It’s a great day to be alive! His close brush with death made him particularly thankful for life, something he likely took for granted before his heart surgery but afterwards fully appreciated.
Jon’s seven words reminded me of an even shorter but similar phrase on my unofficial list of life philosophies:
I woke up!
This time inspiration came to me by way of the book Same Kind of Different as Me in an exchange between a homeless man and Deborah Hall, a volunteer serving meals. Mystified but drawn to this man’s countenance despite his meager circumstances, Deborah asked him why he was so happy. “‘I woke up!” he replied, eyes twinkling, “and that’s reason enough to be happy!'”
Wow… something I had taken for granted my entire life – waking up every morning — suddenly took on new meaning. Though this man had little in terms of material possessions, his value was immeasurable and his impact, far-reaching. In a book with several memorable characters, it is him and his poignant, positive, powerful response that most impacted my life.
Perhaps you’re in one of those seasons of challenge, difficulty, grief, or heartache, and it feels like it will go on forever. Take heart, my friend. Jesus isn’t only personally acquainted with difficulties, grief, and heartache, He’s intimately aware of and cares about your circumstances. In John 16, Jesus encourages His disciples by explaining the work of the Holy Spirit and telling them their sorrows will be turned to joy. He concludes this hope-filled chapter by explaining further,
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.
You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33 (CSB)
We will have troubles and trials in this world, but we can be courageous despite them because Jesus has conquered this world!
In another familiar passage, James also challenges us to reframe how we view life’s trials — as great joy, or as the Message words it, sheer gift — because tested faith produces endurance, steadfastness, perseverance (James 1:2-3). Our sadness and sorrow are not wasted; holy and and hard work is being accomplished.
I’ve begun a morning ritual that sets the stage for my days, a simple discipline I practice before I even get out of the bed. In the quiet of my mind and heart, I incorporate a few of my life mottos into praise and prayer:
- I woke up! A praise for the gift of today.
- This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad. Acknowledging God as my Lord, a prayer of thanksgiving for who He is and my response in light of that, inspired by Psalm 118:24.
- It’s a great day to be alive! A praise to God for the gift of life. No matter what today holds, I will be thankful and do my best to live fully and well.
- And then I ask God for opportunities to serve Him and love others, to use ordinary moments to reflect His glory.
Friends, we woke up, and it’s a great day to be alive! Today, we have opportunity to be Jesus to someone who needs His grace, compassion, truth, and love because sometimes life philosophies are simply walking out your faith in ordinary ways.
Our sadness and sorrow are not wasted; holy and hard work is being accomplished. -@robindance: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Thank you Robin for this collection of joyful words!
And now on to the hard and holy work that is today’s assignment…
🙂 Let me know how today goes, Michele.
Robin,
Amen! As I close in on 60, and have lost some friends way too soon, I am learning to really look at each new day as a gift. Oh that we wouldn’t take for granted the gift of waking up to see another day! I’m also learning to not live in the “either/or” – I’m either rejoicing or despairing. Instead, we can live in the “both/and” – I can experience both joy and suffering at the same time. Two vastly different emotions can coexist. I can be struggling with some areas in my life, but at the same time I can rejoice and say, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Life is a blessed mix, but learning to praise Him in the midst of suffering glorifies Him and does my soul much good. Awesome post and love the Robin-isms!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, you’re so right. Conflicting emotions CAN co-exist. The older I get, the more I understand the “both/and” of life. I think age gives us that perspective, a gift when our lives are experiencing different types of losses. Thank you for such a thoughtful reply :). xo
thankyou ! life can be challenging …we need to focus on the good and definetly our blessings. I agree and always tell people who are saddened that God made a each day new for a reason ; no matter if yesterday was bad we get a new chance just around the corner beginning today !!
Krissy, we DO need those reminders from the people who love us! Some things are too doggone easy to forget… 🙂
Oh Robin!
The trumpet sounds with these words of encouragement! I know only to well the brevity of life. My mama left this earth at 39 of the dreaded breast cancer leaving her 2 kiddos and her adoring husband. When I’m at my worst I echo these words of delight and blessing. I’m going to make it a great day today. Blessed be the name of the Lord! You too Robin, Michele and Bev.
Dee
Dee,
I hear such joy in your words…you are CHOOSING joy! Did you happen to pop over and read about my mom? She died one year younger than your mama, leaving me and my older sis/younger brother. I always feel a particular kinship to others who’ve experienced that horrific loss (hugs).
Wonderful beginning to every. single. day. Thank you.
<3 yes, yes, and amen, Lori!
Thank you. Robin! My morning ritual includes prayer and reflection as well. I love what you have written today and will include your 4 pointers in my daily devotional. My husband is going through some tough times with health issues and I am helping him his faith . It’s tough, but God will help us through this.
Oh, I hope this encourages you. This morning, as I read and respond to comments, I’m offering a prayer for your husband and his health and faith this morning. I may not know his name, but God does. xo
Thank you Robin for your encouraging words! It’s so valuable to see life in the right perpective!
God bless you and your gift to write!
Joke Wijnmaalen
(the Netherlands)
Ahhh…so lovely to learn that you’re reading (in)courage from so far from where I live (southern US). Thank you for encouraging ME by leaving your enthusiastic comment! Blessings to you, Joke :).
OH. ROBIN!!! I love this reminder. Because it IS a great day to be alive. And your morning routine…that is something I am going to try myself. Thank you.
<3 Thank you for sharing this on your FB page, Mary. Your enthusiasm spells love!
Thank you for another excellent reading today. It has spoke too Me. I have this true saying on my mobile that is so true to do with what you spoke on. It says Thank you God as I wake up the Morning the beating of my Heart is the first Miracle I experienced from you. I am loved forgiven and blessed by you. Such true words. Another thing that saddness me so many people in our world today don’t care about Jesus. Or getting Saved. If you tell them they need to get saved. They only laugh at you say don’t preach too me look at that Man or Women who claims to be a Christian. Carrying a Bible going to Church being so holy. When they are doing this or this and they might or could be doing it or not doing it. But if they are and they claim to be Christian we as Christian are not to judge them or talk about them just pray for them that they will see what they are doing is wrong if doing anything wrong. If the unsaved here about it or see the way they live there lives. Being holy on a Sunday and doing wrong during the week why would the unsaved want to get saved. I would not blame them. Plus people think they have plenty of time to get saved. Nobody knows how long we have. We could be here today and gone tomorrow that is why in my eyes it is important to be saved. I had Uncle who one day went 19 years ago for a lie down never woke up again. He I don’t think was saved. I did pray for him. But that is why we as Christian have to be careful to do what it says in the Bible and live our lives as Jesud would want us to live them. As when get saved we become the hands and feet of Jesus. The unsaved watch everything we do. If we want to win them for Jesus we have to live as Jesus would want us to live like the Children songs say Jesus loves all the Children of the world red and yellow black and white all our special in his eyes. Plus the other kids song Jesus hands where kind hands doing good to all. Then it might prompt them to ask us the unsaved what is it we have. You can simply tell them. you have Jesus in your Heart. They might hopefully want then to know Jesus. LOVE DAWN GOD BLESS Xxxx
Wow, Dawn…I can sense how much you care about others. What a great encouragement to live out our faith so people get to see a glimpse of Jesus with skin on. 🙂
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.Live it as if it was the last.Live in the moment and God is present in every moment!
🙂 Mantras of yours, Jane? 🙂
Thank you so very much, your message was just what my heart and spirit needed to hear today. God’s blessings and love!!
Kim, it is always so special to be part of God’s timing in affirming a message of encouragement. Blessed by your comment!
Thank you Robin for this post today! I’m grieving the final days of a dear friend who is dying of cancer. I’m thankful and comforted by these scriptures that remind me of God’s faithfulness.
Oh, Karen…I am so sorry to hear this news. I know your heart must be weary and grieved, and I’m asking the Lord to bring peace and comfort to those, like you, who are losing someone they love. xo
My favorite comment is taken from Anne of Green Gables ..”.today is fresh with no mistakes in it (yet)”. Reminds me of scripture verse from lamentations His mercies are new every morning…how great is His faithfulness …yes today is a good day!!
Ruthie–I LOVE this!! (It’s been a long, long while since I read AoGG.) Yes…blank slates, new mercies, sweet gifts from God. xo
I love this… years ago being part of Ann’s gratitude community started me on this journey… and yes… when all else fails… I woke up!! Thanks for this simple but powerful reminder! And I loved Same kind of different… it really impacted my life!
Oh Robin this is so good and I love the song This is the Day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it. I thank the Lord for another day to serve him. I am 93 years old and never thought I would live this long. I lost my Husband of 72 years of marriage on Mother’s Day of 2018 but I know he is in the arms of Jesus and I will see him again. Thank you for these wise words.
Julia you are a beautiful encouragement for us in the Lord… serving Him until He takes you home \0/ my moms walked into heaven 6 weeks ago and I look forward to the day we meet again.. comfort in knowing Jesus holds His beloved in His everlasting arms! Blessings to you ❤️
Robin,
I have read that book also. Loved it so much. The homeless black man did have a great attitude. He just rejoiced in simple everyday things like waking up. Things we far to often take for granted. One thing I do to keep myself grounded in Christ is make a list of ALL my blessings. I write out each & every item from biggies like Jesus, home in Heaven to smalls like paper clips, mailbox, sunshine, rain. This world is so busy & noisy. It is easy to forget or drown Christ out in our busyness. We should start our days by thanking & praising God. It is simple. Just say thank you for waking me up today. Even on your hardest days you can find something to thank God for. Everyone will have trials in this life. We must remember holy & hard work are being accomplished. He is molding us to become more like Him. Life down here is not an either/or it is a both/and situation. God works with us during our trials. He uses our sorrows & turns them to joy. Love the Robin-isms.
Blessings 🙂
Robin, I just read your article and whole heartedly agree. It is indeed a great day to be alive. A year ago I went in for a 6 month check on the status of an aortic aneurysm that had been discovered 6 months before in a routine exam. It had enlarged to a dangerous size. The doctor had me taken to the cardiac/vascular emergency. I had it repaired 4 days later and 3 weeks in the hospital. I go in for my annual check up in to weeks. I have another favorite “I serve an amazing God” . It is the name of a song sung by the Triumphant Quartet. I have a tee shirt with it on the front. I had a doctor say to me after surgery, I am glad to see you but don’t know how you made it, I just pointed to the phrase on the front of my shirt, I still serve an amazing God.
It is always good to wake up on the Green side of the grass.
Thank you for writing this.
Back in September I got diagnosed with a brain tumor. Everyday morning I say “Everyday is a gift, everyday is life, everyday is joy.” I even got a tattoo that’s “Gift, Life, Joy”. I wish could show you the picture. Such a powerful post!
Thankyou for saying that God cares and knows about the details of my life! I really needed to hear that! Thanks! That encouraged me!
Love this! Thanks for the positive and encouraging words!