BY DAWN REED
My beloved and I recently began celebrating special events with quesabirria tacos at our favorite Mexican restaurant. (Our friend Bubba Stewart got us hooked on them.) Quesabirria. We say it over and over, never getting it exactly right. It is a struggle to roll our “r’s.” Ignacio and Ariel patiently repeat the correct pronunciation to no avail.
If you have never had quesabirria tacos, you are missing out. Slow-cooked tender beef, in pan-fried tacos stuffed with melted cheese. What’s not to love? Three for me, please.
Last week, we had a couple of things to rejoice over. It was the anniversary of my beloved being called as a pastor back in 1998. What an awesome and mind-blowing thing. When we surrendered to God’s will, we didn’t see that happening – at all. How wonderful that He called my better half to serve Him in such a wonderful way. Oh, the stories I could tell of what God has done over the past 28 years.
It was also the 15th anniversary of my total hip replacement. May the Lord’s name be praised. The Bible stories when Jesus made the lame walk hit me in the feels.
I knew I had a problem but would not seek professional help. I diagnosed myself and was WRONG. After over 20 years of self-help and denial, I could barely walk. One trip to our family doctor and only one X-ray showed the problem. Surgery soon followed. Being able to walk is something I celebrate every day, but especially on my Hip-iversary.
The Bible is full of celebrating. God encouraged it. He ordained seven feasts for His people. They celebrated victories. They celebrated when the ark was returned to Jerusalem.
In Psalm 145, David wrote, “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another, they will tell of Your mighty acts…They will tell of the power of Your great deeds. They celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness” (verses 3-4, 6-7). When you read it out loud, it really stirs the heart.
“Celebrate Your abundant goodness.” Shew. God truly is so many good things. He is loving, kind, faithful, merciful. He is a loving Father, Creator of the Universe, a stronghold in times of trouble, a refuge for His people, a shelter from the storm, Father of compassion, God Most High, God of peace. And He cares about us.
Do you have a list of wonders? Of mighty acts God has done in YOUR life? Times He delivered you, met your needs, pulled you out of the pit or got you through a hard season. This is a good day to start one. Grab some paper and pen. When you think about it, you will find lots of victories to celebrate.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise. Celebrate His goodness today.
Cue “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang and bring out the quesabirria.