June 9, 2006

Days of Praise

Some days are meant for praise. 

The children of Israel did it on the shores of the Red Sea.  With Pharaoh’s army behind them and the Promised Land before them they pulled out tambourines and sang songs of praise.

David did it in the streets of Jerusalem.  As the Ark of the Covenant traveled to its new resting place David danced before the Lord in praise to the sound of harps, lyres and cymbals.

King Jehoshaphat did it on the battlefield.  Facing attack from an overwhelming force the king sent out an army—not of soldiers, but of singers.  The choir sang praises to God while the Almighty fought the battle for them.   

Hannah did it at the temple.  She prayed for a child she thought she could never have.  Yahweh granted her request so she dedicated herself and her son to God.  Then she sang a song of praise to the Lord.

There’s plenty of heartache to be had on this planet, but there are also days when joy and celebration break through.  This is such a day for me. 

Ten years ago today the loveliest woman I’d ever seen agreed to become my wife.  Today we celebrate a decade of loving, learning, laughing and longing.  That last word is significant.  Longing.  Throughout our marriage we’ve been blessed in every way we could imagine but one.  Children.  We’ve longed for a child of our own. 

The first three years of our marriage we saved money like crazy to pay down student loans, pay off creditors and buy our first little home.  Mission accomplished we started planning for a baby.  And we waited.  Weeks turned to months then years.  Still we waited.  Then we learned of medical problems.  So we tried surgery, medications, lifestyle changes.  All vain efforts to have a child.  Statistically, we were told, our chances were better for winning the lottery then naturally conceiving.

Tears and trials followed.  But we prayed, we waited, we hoped.  This morning, on Jeannine’s and my tenth anniversary we visited the doctor and heard the words we’ve been waiting to hear.  “You’re pregnant.”

How does it feel?  Like today is Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, Easter, my birthday, Valentines Day and Fourth of July all rolled into one.  I feel like I want to grab a tambourine and sing on the shores of the Red Sea.  I want to dance before the Lord like David.  I want to join an army chorus singing praises to the Almighty.  I want to bow with Hannah at the temple and dedicate my children and myself to God through a simple psalm of praise.

Ecclesiastes famously notes there’s a right time for everything under heaven.  A time for birth, death, planting, reaping, crying, laughing, weeping and dancing.  I don’t want to miss those moments.  I hope you don’t either.  

Take time to celebrate.  Thank God for the blessings in your life.  Do it with all your heart.  Sing it with everything you’ve got.  Find a few friends and throw a party.  Miracles are meant to be celebrated.  You don’t need a 10-year anniversary or birth announcement in order to praise God.  You can think of something you’re thankful for and do it right now. 

And if by chance you should see me dancing in the streets today, grab a tambourine and join in the song.  Today is a great day to celebrate God’s goodness.

“Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things He does for me.” Psalm 103:2 TLB

Todd Chobotar
Mission Development
Florida Hospital