We were driving through some winding back roads in Indiana, listening to a local radio station early in the morning. This was last month, on a 1,000 mile drive to move our daughter to college, and we were just starting the second day of the journey. The radio host pointed to several areas of national and international news that were less than uplifting, and then announced it was time for a weekly segment they do called Good News Wednesday, encouraging their listeners to text or call in and share any bit of good news they had, from tiny to tremendous.
Within minutes, listeners were announcing big news like pregnancies and new houses, and tiny things like getting to work on time and looking forward to date night. What struck me was that so many were willing to participate; people want to share their good news, but often don’t know how or with whom they can. Also, as each proclamation was made, one of the announcers said something supportive in response. Every single time. And there were a lot! I felt so inspired after hearing the many ideas to celebrate, as well as the encouraging words of that radio station staff.
I was instantly reminded of a small group we were in about ten years ago. A newer couple sheepishly announced the husband had received a big promotion and we all cheered their good fortune, and thanked God for His provision when we prayed that night. The couple looked bewildered and then confessed they had been afraid to say anything, because they felt they had never experienced friendships who truly wanted the best for them.
So we resort to calling in to strangers to share our good news.
Y’all, we can do better. I want to be a person you call to brag on your child when they make the team or get into that college, when you see something wonderfully new in your spouse you didn’t see before, or when you get that crazy, pie-in-the-sky promotion. I want to cheer you on when you’re pregnant or not pregnant (somebody knows who I’m talking to), or your air conditioner finally gets repaired, or your prodigal child comes home. The truth is, when I hear great news about others it gives me an endorphin rush, or at least, it should. If I feel jealousy or resentment, that is on me, and I need to address it, trying to understand why I would feel anything but support for this person and then I need to get over it.
We are called to encourage one another, to love one another, to serve one another and to consider others more highly than ourselves. Let’s start this practice by cheering each other on every opportunity we have, not the fake stuff either, let’s desire the best for each other and celebrate like crazy when somebody gets it! So, I’m wondering…..what thing can we celebrate, big or small, for you today?
howsyourlovelife 
Love it, yes!!! Have been talking with a couple of friends recently about the prosperity gospel haters. Isn’t the entire gospel prosperity if you stand back and look at it? Ugh 😑 so much to unpack there that I’m considering a whole JO blog post but I’m slightly off rant. Abundant life is celebrating the wins, yes ma’am!!!.
Several huge moments for me recently where I had the opportunity to become undone by some curve-balls, I wasn’t. A big parenting win with a teenager this weekend where I remained level-headed, reasonable, yet insistent on civilized behavior and follow-through. Absolutely ALL of the Jesus hands for young adults growing in character and responsibility. And all the mamas said AMEN!
YES!YES!YES! Hooray for you and Thank God!
A friend of mine is getting married, and she shares her good news with me and each time I cheer for her. For many different reasons she said that she prayed for this. I rejoice with her because hwe she is giving all the glory to the one I adore. She’s speaking well of the God I wish the entire world knew. An old friend came around an apologized to me about something done in the past even if the apology wasn’t real or genuine I’m still glad that this friend is okay. When good things happen Rejoice with others 🙂 you’d want someone to rejoice with you.
Love this!