celebration

"Our word holiday comes from the practice of "holy days." We often think of "discipline" as abstinence from pleasurable things, but Nehemiah commanded the people to set aside a time to revel in them as a discipline for personal transformation. "Eating the fat"--in other translations called "choice food"--can be every bit as much a discipline as fasting...When we celebrate, we exercise our ability to see and feel goodness in the simplest gifts of God...Our capacity for joy increases."

--John Ortberg; The Life You've Always Wanted

 

Chris and I got away this weekend to celebrate seven years of marriage. 

A lot of planning goes into getaways when one has young children...even if they are only for an overnight. The added stress of preparing for such celebrations can sometimes feel like it's not worth it...

until...

 you finally get out the door, back out of the drive way, and start driving! 

We drove a few hours north, all the way up Hwy 29, past Calistoga, into Alexander Valley...then west into Dry Creek Valley, and then down into Sonoma. The further we got away from home, the deeper I breathed and the more I realized it was ALL worth it.

As we drove along, I wished I could bottle it up, all of this beauty, but even the camera couldn't do it justice.

So we just drank it all in, drank it deeply, enjoying each taste that these short 28 hours away had to offer.

We remembered that it was just US, me and Chris, before our kiddos came along, who by their sweet little natures, threaten to consume us daily! Even one night away can feel so reviving.  It was the sort of thing where we didn't know how badly we needed it until we were gone...away from the dishes, the messes, the diapers, Barbie dolls, laundry, grocery lists, and cotton Hanes-Her-Way panties.  We started to get sneak peaks back into the girl (and the lingerie drawer) and the guy we used to be...both as individuals and as the fun, young, carefree couple.  

It takes time, effort, and intentionality to celebrate. But in celebration, it seems that we start to remember who we are. We remember what started it all, and we are filled with joy as we recognize all the goodness there is around us, especially in the simple things.  We appreciate the little things even more.

Saturday afternoon, after three wine tastings and lunch, we (barely) made it into quaint Healdsburg, where we got a much needed cup of afternoon coffee. We found a local coffee shop called Flying Goat Coffee, where they brew fresh French press to order.  Liquid perfection. Pure poetry.

We got a seat right by the window and looked out at the park square, at the people passing by, drinking in the richness of the afternoon sun and the simplicity of the moment.

We didn't talk about the adoption or the move or the precarious future before us.  We didn't talk about Tess or Lucy or Ren. We talked about the differences between espresso and French press, which pastries we liked the best, which wines we liked the best that morning and why. We talked about what we've done each of the past seven years to celebrate our anniversary and how we'd like to celebrate in the years to come.

In the past, I have not viewed joy or celebration as essentials. Somehow, melancholy and sadness seemed easier to settle into...they even seemed more righteous and holy. But I am seeing how insane this belief is, and I am coming to understand more deeply than ever that God is a God of joy, and that joy for me is not optional, it is essential. I am learning that JOY and CELEBRATION are spiritual disciplines as important as any other.  They are how we're intended to live, they are good for the soul, and when we practice them consistently, they will change us for the better.

So thankful for this getaway, and that joy is an option every day.

If we are going to know joy, it must be in this day--today.

 --John Ortberg

"This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep...Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Neh 8:9-10