As you probably know, Dove chocolates come wrapped in foil with uplifting statements written inside. Not long ago I found this one:
“The more you praise and celebrate your life,
the more there is in life to celebrate.”
A positive attitude of praise and celebration, even for the little blessings, does contribute to a sense of well-being. But there’s an important omission in this quote—the cause of all those blessings. Perhaps the sentiment should read:
“The more you praise and celebrate God in your life,
the more there is in life to celebrate.”
Now a pleasing sentiment has become solid truth, because with God in our lives, joy is our constant companion.
It requires such a small effort, really—to note the supreme pleasures in ordinary events or to choose a positive perspective.
Sometimes joy involves making a magnificent moment . . .
I’d been mall shopping for several hours, scouring the sales racks to no avail. Suddenly I noticed my sweater—one of my favorites–was no longer tied to my purse.
Not only had I not purchased an addition for my wardrobe that afternoon, I’d subtracted a piece of clothing already owned.
Retracing my steps seemed daunting; I had browsed in so many stores. Besides, it was time to meet Steve for dinner at one of the mall restaurants.
After we ordered our meals, I told him what happened. “I’ll check the lost-and-found after we eat,” I said. “By then maybe someone will have found my sweater and turned it in.”
So that’s what we did. No sweater.
Steve suggested we stop at the stores where I’d shopped as we made our way back to the car.
At the very first store the eyes of the young sales girl lit up when I asked about a lost sweater. “What color was it?” she asked.
“Cranberry red.”
“We did find it! It’s right back here!” she replied while heading to the rear of the store. Sure enough, the young woman returned with my sweater. Someone had even put it on a hanger.
Well! I thanked her and the manager behind the counter, not knowing which had found it and been so thoughtful.
One of them jokingly said something about doing good deeds for chocolate.
As it happened, just two doors down was the Godiva Chocolate Shop. Before leaving the mall, Steve and I popped in, bought two little boxes, and went back to the clothing store.
When those two girls saw the Godiva bag they whooped in surprise and started to laugh. We did too.
“God blessed me through you by returning my sweater; we wanted to bless you,” I told them.
“Oh! That remark about chocolate was just a joke!” the salesgirl cried. “But you have no idea how much I needed this. Today has been especially rough.” She started around the counter with her arms outstretched. “Come here! I need to give you a hug!” Then she added, “Look! I’m crying!”
I had tears in my eyes as well.
The level of endorphins in that shop soared so high the lights shone brighter and the atmosphere crackled with joy. And all because Steve and I magnified the significance of a small moment and celebrated a God-orchestrated event.
Truly, “The more you praise and celebrate God in your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”
* * * * * * * * * *
What are you celebrating in life today? Magnify the moment by sharing your joy in the comments below!
Art & photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.canva.com.
(Revised and reblogged from April 23, 2015.)
From the Inside Out 
I needed to read this right now. I am in a lot of physical pain, have been for days, and don’t know why. On May 27, I will see a neurologist, hopefully we will get some answers then. Meanwhile, OUCH. I don’t know why God is allowing this.
But oh YES, I do have so very much to be grateful and joyful about. There is so much love and joy and blessings in my life. God has blessed me mightily in so many ways. I trust Him, even when I am in pain. For our light affliction is but for a moment and is working a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. I know this is true. Praise God that this former agnostic/atheist has learned to trust Him and praise Him, even in pain!
Oh Linda! I’m SO sorry you’re in such physical pain right now, and must wait another two weeks before you can even begin the process of determining what’s wrong. Thank you for your affirming testimony of God’s blessing in the midst of misery! I too praise God that he brought you out of the pain of your past and into His glory ! I’m praying that there will be a cancellation at the neurologist’s office and you’ll see him/her SOON. (Would tomorrow be too much to ask, Father?) Meanwhile may the pain subside, and may you be able to rest. In the powerful name of Jesus, AMEN!
Thank you so much! ❤
Praying for answers and relief!
Thank you so much!
Oh, Nancy, such an uplifting story you’ve told us here! Yes, may we be grateful to God always for all His blessings, and be quick to share His love with others just as Steve and you did by giving these two ladies and unexpected and much appreciated treat. It’s only because of God’s blessings that we can celebrate our lives.
So glad you found uplift here, Martha! You raised an interesting point at the end of your comment, that it’s only because of God’s blessings that we can celebrate our lives. Whether we recognize it or not, He IS the source of every blessing. Reminds me of the hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. And with the lyricist Robert Robinson I say, “Tune my heart to sing Thy grace!” I know you do too.
I am celebrating the special care and love of the Lord that is strengthening me and my loved ones to go on living when so many succumb to the deadly virus.The same air the same atmosphere yet so many are lacking oxygen when I am having plenty of it to breath just imagine the situation and I am sure tears will roll down your cheeks too for the special treatment the Lord has arranged for us.Take care.🌹🙏
Yes, Francis, praise God for his special care and love that includes the oxygen we breathe. We and our loved ones have also been strengthened through the pandemic–Hallelujah! Our prayers are with those who are grieving through loss, however, the result of Covid. Thank you for stopping by, Francis, and leaving your thoughtful comments.
My pleasure ,take care.🌹🙏
Wow!!! I love everything about your post!! Made me tear up (in a joyful way) reading it!
How awesome the way God orchestrated every piece of that mall visit!!! Praise Him and thanks so much for sharing!!!
You’re welcome, Alicia. I’m delighted you found encouragement here–praise God!
I love how God puts us in the right place at the right time. Thankfully, your heart was open to His leading. Blessings!
When God whispered in my spirit to take those two salesgirls some chocolate, I became excited, knowing it would bring them delight. How MUCH delight was the big surprise. It was a God-augmented moment for sure! Thank you for stopping by, Beth, and taking time to comment.
wow such a cool story! Inspirational too. Lovely way to start my weekend, Nancy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jean, and am honored you consider this post a lovely way to start the weekend. Thank you!
“The more you praise and celebrate God in your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” So glad you’ve added the missing object to that sentence, Nancy, and to your life!
Thank you, Mitch. I can’t imagine navigating through life without God. I know you feel the same!
Oh, I loved this story that you shared this week! Just today Mom and I went car-shopping for her. As we were walking toward the building where the salesmen were located she immediately spotted the car that she was interested in. As you know, it does take some time to purchase a car with all of the paperwork that is involved. As we were going through that process we got to talking to Tim (the salesman) and found out that he knew the Lord! And he told us that he had especially prayed that morning that the Lord would provide him with a serious customer. This certainly proved to us that the Lord had engineered the whole thing and we had been in the right place at the right time. What a blessing!
How delightful that you and your mother could be an answer to Tim’s prayer, and you were able to buy the car from another believer. A sweet blessing indeed!
Nancy,
When we look at moments good, bad, and lost that way, we see God opening doors fir Him to be present. Love the chance you had to use something sweet for something sweeter.
In Christ,
Gary
Thank you, Gary. And I love your sweet/sweeter statement–such a fun and astute observation!
And there, you did it! Post a picture of Dove Chocolate and all the sudden I have a craving! lol (they are among my favorites! Seriously though, great post. Inspiring story. And your statement – “The more you praise and celebrate God in your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – oh, ever so true. We could never praise and celebrate God enough!
I hope you had some chocolate handy to take care of that craving, Kathy! With you I’m praising and celebrating God this beautiful day. For me, it’s for the sunny, balmy weather, a crisp apple to munch, and birds still filling the air with song. Thank you for stopping by with your encouragement!
Oh my goodness! I have a bag of Dove chocolates that I was gifted for Mother’s Day. I have been eating one an evening, after I’ve taken out my contacts. I never saw that they had little sayings in them! Thank you for the excuse to indulge on one this afternoon so I could see what you were talking about. Mine says “Your vibe attracts your tribe”. Hmmm… hopefully something about me is attracting them to Jesus! Thanks for the sweet blessing!
I like your revision on the first Dove chocolate message you ever read, Mama Lava! (And thank you for the smile over your humorous confession!)
What a great episode! Amazing how God works in the little every day things of life!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this little episode from our lives. And yes indeed, God works in amazing ways, even the little every day things of life! Thank you, Sheila!