Number 44
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4
Have you seen the commercial with former NFL running back Ickey Woods? He is waiting in line at the meat counter.
The man behind the counter calls out “Number 44.” Ickey looks at his ticket and exclaims “Woah! That’s me!!!” He begins to dance while saying “Get some cold cuts, get some cold cuts… gonna get some cold cuts today!”
I don’t remember being that joyful when I picked up lunch meat at the grocery store. More than likely, I looked at the price on the label and thought about how expensive it was!
But we can choose an attitude of joyfulness in our everyday life.
Just like the choice we have at the restaurant, we have the option of small, medium or large.
A small thing might be that cup of coffee you are holding. Pick it up and breathe in the scent of the coffee beans, and if it’s really hot, feel the steam on your face.
Maybe you see something in nature that brings you joy. I’m thinking about a tree at the post office that has started to bloom, even though it’s February.
Medium joy choices come from our interactions with others. A smile from your sweetheart, the laughter of a child, or the story you heard from an elder, even if it’s the ninth time you heard it!
Large joy choices involve our Maker. Finding joy in the Lord.
I believe that we should praise and rejoice in the Lord FIRST in our prayers, before we start in with our list of needs.
Don’t rush… Praying the Psalms is a good way to rejoice in the Lord.
Maybe we can learn something from Ickey. Let’s find joy in the small as well as great things in life.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4
