National Something Day

By Renae Brumbaugh

 

Stunned. That’s the only word I can think of to describe my current state of mind. I was sitting here at my computer, trying to think of something to write to all of you, when I decided to Google “holidays in September.” Maybe that would give me a fresh idea or two. Little did I know, every single day is a National Something Day. Just fill in the blank, and it probably has a national day. In September alone, we have National Play-Dough Day, National Apple Dumpling Day, National Pecan Cookie Day, and National Crèmefilled Donut Day. Every single day, just about, has been set aside to celebrate something. National Aardvark Day: March 19. National Garbanzo Bean Day: January 6. National Guacamole Day: November 14. There is also a National Underwear Day, a National Fresh Breath Day, and a National Thank a Mailman Day. I could not find evidence of a National Kumquat Day. This must be fixed. I had no idea I was missing so many celebrations. It makes me a bit paranoid . . . have all my friends been having parties every day, and not inviting me? That’s just wrong. I can be fun. I can be the life of the party. I can eat guacamole like a pro. The more I think about it, the more it makes perfect sense that every day should be a celebration. Why not? Why shouldn’t we celebrate underwear? I can’t speak for any of you, but I’m not exactly a fan of going commando. Too often, I’ve been guilty of laser-focusing on the things I don’t like, the things I wish I could change, and I forget to revel in the dozens, no hundreds, no thousands of good, positive, praiseworthy things in my life. Things like fresh air. And a car that runs. And a college-age daughter who is making such good choices for her life, and a teenage son who makes me laugh like nobody’s business. An adult daughter who had a full-time, salaried job before she graduated from college, and an autistic son who knows all the words to every Disney song ever written. Things like a husband who is also my best friend, and a mother-inlaw who makes jam and sews pretty things for my house. Things like a mother who is my biggest fan, and nieces and nephews who make it easy to be the cool aunt, because they make me so proud to be in their family. Friends who love me fiercely, despite my flaws . . . A comfortable home . . . Money to pay the bills . . . Plenty of food to eat . . . I could go on, but you get the idea. Why shouldn’t we make every day a celebration of all the good things, all the blessings God pours out on us? These things aren’t my right. I’m not entitled to any of them. (Well, maybe the air.) Yet God has poured out his goodness and grace on my life, simply because He loves me. Makes me feel kinda ungrateful, when I think about how I often ignore what is right about my life and focus on what isn’t right. Today and every day,  I’m going to celebrate. I’m going to party. I think I’ll start by making a big ‘ol bowl of guacamole. After all, National Guacamole day will be here before we know it, and I need to practice my recipe. “Seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom,” Luke 12:31-32 NIV.