Rejoice in the Lord

Here we are the middle of October, almost. It hardly seems possible, but it's true. Soon there will be little ones (and not so little ones) knocking on the door to say 'Trick or Treat'.

I've been working on a retreat study based on Philippians and the thing that keeps jumping out at me is Paul's admonition to "Rejoice in the Lord, always". That verse has been one I've returned often to since my college days--long ago and far away (as my daughters would say). The Bishop, at the time, had a habit of giving each confirmation class their own 'life verse'. While I can't remember the one he gave my class at confirmation, I do remember this verse as the one he gave to the confirmands at St. James', Mesilla Park in 1973.

I have to tell you, it's one of those verses that on the surface seems simple. How hard can it be to Rejoice? Certainly, there are many things to rejoice about. Unfortunately, it can be easier to focus on the little irritations or fears and forget to "Rejoice Always" and "Give Thanks in All Things". Sometimes it helps to get away from the day-to-day to someplace like this waterfall (actually at the Botanical Gardens, not in a distant forest) to sit and think about how much really is good in the world!

Rejoice in the Lord--today and always.