Thought for the Day - Friday 18 September

 Thought for the Day – Friday 18^th September

‘Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.’ (Genesis 9: 20-21)

 ‘“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.’ (Luke 15: 21-24)

 So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. (2 Samuel 6: 12-15)

Amazingly, yesterday I watched a spitfire fly across the sky over one of our local hospitals and then expertly loop around to repeat its flypast all the while flashing the underside of its wings to all who watched below, wings which were emblazoned with the words ‘Thank you NHS’. I have to say I found it an absolutely wonderful sight and one which will live on in my memory for some time!

 It was a perfect day yesterday with beautiful clear skies and I was amazed to hear the noise of the spitfire’s engines as it approached from the north and even more amazed at how small the plane was and how expertly it was being flown – it certainly brought home to me just how skilled, and courageous, our spitfire pilots must have been to fly these little planes during wartime and in dark and cloudy and strafe filled skies.

 Of course, the reason it was flying across our skies was because it was visiting many of the hospitals in Scotland and giving them a flypast as a way of celebrating those who work in the NHS and as a way of saying ‘Thank you’ to them during this time of pandemic. So, in effect it flew over each hospital but for a few minutes before moving on to the next on its list – but wow! it was a wonderful way to celebrate our NHS and their work and must have been inspiring for them to see – as was the weekly clap – and for them to know just how much they are appreciated.

 

Celebrations can certainly take many forms. 

 

Some enjoy a ‘wee drink’ to celebrate – rather as Noah did drinking the fruits of his labours; some give extravagant gifts and have great feasts together as the father of the prodigal son did and some like to have a dance to celebrate – perhaps not almost naked though and with such abandon as David did in front of the Ark of the Covenant which was after all at that time believed to be God’s home!

 What they all usually have in common though is that they are a way of saying ‘Thank You’ – thank you for another year of life, thank you for the birth of a child, thank you for a loving partner or another year of married life, thank you for someone’s years of work, thank you for all you do and so on and so forth.   

 What we have to remember though among all our celebrations in life is just who gives us those causes to celebrate – God himself!

 So let’s never forget to say our daily ‘Thank You’ to God – it does not have to be as dramatic as flying a spitfire across the skies in appreciation but generally a simple ‘Thank you’ to God offered in prayer will suffice!

 

Prayer

 Loving Lord,

In praise, adoration and thanksgiving our spirits dance before you today. You have blessed us with so much throughout our lives, given us so much for which to thank you and given us so much to celebrate. Lord, let our spirits soar! Let our hearts sing boldly of your wondrous love and help us always to celebrate your love and presence with us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Friday Fun Time:

 

Okay, here are your things to think about for today!

 

1. What has been your best celebration ever and why?

 

2. What is your favourite way to celebrate?

 

3. What’s the most unusual celebration you have ever witnessed or attended?

 

4. Think of at least ten things you could say ‘Thank you’ to God for today!

 

5. Make as many words as you can of three letters or more from the word ‘Celebration’!