Days of Drear

"Because of how good God is, we can always find something to celebrate - even in the darkest of times... When we train ourselves, in the midst of unpleasant or difficult circumstances, to focus intentionally on the gifts God gives us, it helps us put our own lives into proper perspective.

"...But in our eagerness to develop gratitude, we must not 'stuff' or deny negative thoughts and emotions.  God asks us to be honest about how we feel, even if we are angry, frustrated, depressed, or afraid.  Negative emotions like these don't mean we can't simultaneously acknowledge what we know to be true about God's goodness.

"...So as you seek to practice this discipline, be honest with yourself and God about how you feel, but don't lose sight of the bigger picture.  Celebration offers us the opportunity to transform those hard places, rising above 'our light and momentary troubles [that] are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all' (2 Corinthians 4:17)."
--Valerie Hess, "Habits of a Child's Heart"

Days of sadness and drear happen.  But God is there, too.  Try to find a way to see God's goodness in the midst.  Celebrate God's presence, if nothing else...  For it's in those moments, when we can celebrate, that we feel God's presence overwhelmingly!