Embracing Today as a Gift

I admit that I can be a grumpy dumpy.

How about you? 

Do you practice daily gratitude? Do those around you find joy in your presence? These are challenging questions, and I must admit that I can be negative. However, there is a profound verse in Scripture that has the potential to transform our lives! - Seriously! As a believer, I can choose to live joyfully because I have much to be thankful for - beginning with the gift of a new day. Psalm 118:24 states, "This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

To provide context for this verse, Psalm 118, the final Hallel or praise, was sung by the Jews during their annual Passover as they entered the temple. This chapter celebrates God's victory in freeing the Jewish nation from Egyptian bondage, highlighting their deliverance. The song exudes joy and trust, as people gave thanks to the Lord for a new day. It's a song of faith, a song that reminds us to rejoice in the day the Lord has made.

Recently, I faced some difficulty and then found freedom. I walked with the possibility of losing a dear one due to health issues. The truth of the matter is that death can come for any one of us at any time. However, this experience has deepened my appreciation for each new morning, especially those spent with loved ones. I understand that every day is an invaluable gift from our Lord. Each new morning is filled with new experiences, conversations, and memories waiting to unfold. Each day is truly priceless. It is the new mornings that give fresh hopes and dreams. It presents another opportunity to gather with loved ones, to pursue goals, or to be a light for those around us.

Again, I ask, friend, do you practice daily gratitude? Do those around you find joy in your presence? You and I have a choice every day as we rise. We can choose to be a grumpy dumpy, or we can choose to live joyfully. It's a choice, a powerful choice that we can make each morning. I want to make the better choice and invite you to join me. 

Let us embrace this day with open hearts, ready to celebrate all it offers because this is the day the Lord has made, and we can rejoice and be glad in it! I would love to hear about your experiences with daily gratitude and joy. Feel free to share your stories-

(Disclaimer- I had a little help from AI on this one. :) )