Every Day is a Good Day to Celebrate!
Woo hoo! Today is officially Pastor
Appreciation Day! …as well as National Fluffernutter Day and National
Pierogi Day. Sad to say, I missed a great opportunity to celebrate yesterday as
it was National Frappe Day. Who knew? According to nationaldaycalendar.com
there are a lot more things we can celebrate this month!
- October 10 – National Cake Decorating Day & National Angel Food Cake Day
- October 12 – National Farmer’s Day
- October 13 – National No Bra Day (Ha!)
- October 21 – National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
- October 22 – National Mother-in-Law Day (Uh oh!)
- October 28 – National Chocolate Day
- October 30 – National Candy Corn Day
- October 31 – National Carmel Apple Day & National Knock Knock Jokes Day
The list of holidays is quite extensive, and I’ve
only listed a few of the specific dates in October set aside for
recognition and appreciation! I didn’t even dare take a look at November and
December – yet. However, it would be great fun to take a year and celebrate random
‘holidays’ with special friends, co-workers or family. Some celebrations could
get a bit out of hand (see October 13th above), but with a little
creativity - and discretion - we could bring some extra smiles, giggles and
laughter into other’s lives too! Which now makes me ponder how we could incorporate a few of these holidays into our Women’s Ministry next year. Hmmm.
Before I get too far off topic, I want to
consider the different ways you and your pastor may experience a day of
appreciation. It may be today, on Pastor Appreciation Day, or sometime later
this month. Or it could be some other day when God nudges someone to ‘randomly’
share a generous gift with your husband (or your whole family). It could be an
offer to babysit your kids, a dozen 'homegrown' eggs, a neighbor who unexpectedly mows your yard, a genuine compliment given on a Sunday morning, a note that
arrives in the mail or the sincere prayer of the faithful ones. The day or month doesn’t matter. What matters is that we
recognize the generous gifts our church family does share with us throughout the
year.
Our family has personally enjoyed
seasons of ‘official’ Pastor Appreciation celebrations, and we have had years
of silence. The silence, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a lack
of appreciation. Just like any holiday, some are forgotten or missed. But on
the flip side, when we neglect to get a Birthday card in the mail to someone we
cherish dearly, does that automatically signify that we don’t care? Obviously
not! It just means that life got in the way. We’re too busy. We got distracted.
Or, maybe we just couldn’t find the ‘perfect’ card or gift to truly share our
deepest words of love, friendship and appreciation.
My challenge to you (and me) today is
this: How can we celebrate and appreciate the gift God has given us in the life of our pastor?
Don't wait for others to take notice. Take time
out to truly consider what you appreciate about your pastor – and not just as
your husband. What Godly qualities do you see reflected in his ministry? When
have you witnessed his actions quietly impacting others’ lives? What character traits
are evident in his life that display his love for Jesus? If the answers don’t
come easily to your mind, pray about it. Seek God’s insight into the unique
design and man he has given you to partner with in ministry – and to love! Then,
make sure you share your words of appreciation with your pastor this week or in
the days ahead.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds.” Hebrew 10:24
yokemates.blogspot.com
What a fun post!!! I don't think I can do October 13th, because I think that may be against my school dress code! I also have parents coming in my classroom that day for our Harvest Party!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great reminder that we can celebrate each new day that the Lord has given to us because they are each special and designed by God. Thanks also for the encouragement of appreciating our husbands as our pastors. You certainly have a great husband/pastor!!
Enjoy your day.
Wow! You have a whole new perspective on why that celebration could pose complications in life! You truly made me laugh out loud! Thanks for blessing me today!
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