Monday, July 6, 2009

Celebrate the Outhouse?



“Did you see that?” asked Kevin. We were travelling home from a trip to St. Louis.
“No, what was it?”
“A billboard for an Outhouse Festival!” He hooted. “I can’t believe it!”
“Are you serious?” Now I was laughing, too. “What is there to celebrate about outhouses?”
I’m all in favor of celebrating the Honey Bee, Covered Bridges, Popcorn, and Raggedy Ann & Andy. The times I have been forced to use an outhouse, however, I was not thinking of parades, lemon shake-ups, and ice cream cones.
I suppose they are a great invention if you’re stuck in the middle of nowheresville and can’t find a bush. But to have an entire weekend dedicated to them? How desperate must you be for something to party over?
If you really want to celebrate and be in high spirits, I have a few ideas you might try:

Celebrate living in a nation where you have a free education, can criticize a political candidate without being arrested, are allowed to vote, and can worship whatever god or God you choose.

Celebrate being rich, even if you have only one set of clothes and food for just today. Most dogs and cats in this nation live better than millions of people in the world.

Celebrate if you had parents who loved you and taught you right from wrong.

Celebrate your friends. My Dad used to tell me, “If you get to the end of your life and can say you have one faithful friend, you are a rich person indeed.” His memorial service overflowed with people who attested their friendship. May I live as worthy as he, making a positive difference in the lives I touch.

Celebrate a God who loves you so much that He gave you trees, flowers, stars, oceans, birds and animals simply for your enjoyment.

Celebrate a Savior who willingly gave His life that you could be friends with God and live with Him in eternal bliss, One who has already forgiven all your past and future sins.

Celebrate a loving Heavenly Father who will never turn His back on you, no matter how many times you blow it. That’s called unconditional love.

I’ll bet you can come up with a few more reasons to celebrate, things we all take for granted and fail to notice until we are forced to do without them. Come to think of it, next time I go camping, I may have to reconsider celebrating the outhouse!

13 comments:

  1. I can def. think of lots of stuff to celebrate! Wonderful post Jen. ;-) The outhouse people must have very thankful hearts. LOL!

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  2. That is just hilarious! In fact, one time while we were in the middle of nowheresville and had nothing but an outhouse, I was tempted to use the space behind the outhouse, rather than go inside!

    But you're right! We have so many things to celebrate--and to remember to give God all the glory for even those little things!

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  3. Jessica: From your past posts, your heart IS full of gratefulness, a sure way to God's heart!
    Blessings on your day,
    Jen

    Jody: I hear you, girl! Those bushes are useful for more than a bird sanctuary!
    Blessings on you today,
    Jen

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  4. Boy, I'm so thankful for your post today! So positive and uplifting. Thanks for starting my Monday off right!

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  5. I celebrate a family who loves to be together and laugh with one another. Life is good!
    I love your heart that looks to God always!

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  6. I really loved this post-- I can see what kind of writer you are and you are good! I have so much to celebrate today and have been all the way and back as I drove to town today. I'm healthy, alive, have opportunity and my God is faithful to get me through all that we have. Blessings to you.

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  7. Jill: Wow, you made my day, too. Thanks for stopping by.
    Blessings,
    Jen

    Sherrinda: Yes, laughter chases away the grumpies, doesn't it? You are blessed to have a great family.
    And I love your heart too!
    Thanks for lifting me up,
    Jen

    Terri: Thanks, your kudos mean a lot to me. I like that you say how faithful God is. He is the only constant in a world of change.
    Blessings on your day,
    Jen

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  8. My younger son used to have a thing for port-a-potties....yuck!

    A big AMEN to all of the things you listed, especially the first one! Our current political environment is unfortunately causing a bit of a divide amonst my siblings. And I'm seeing it emerge on my first Facebookk page! (I have two different pages now...one for family and real life friends and one for bloggy and writing friends. Have you joined yet?)

    By the way...tag...you're it! Stop by my blog to see what this means!

    Hugs and Blessings, Leslie

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  9. Great reminder! I wonder if they celebrate the outhouse there for a reason, like was it invented there, or did it start as a joke? I'm glad we can celebrate the internet, that introduces us to fellow believers.

    Blessings*

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  10. Great post!
    I dropped by via leslie's blog. Just joined to follow.
    Blessings and prayers, andrea

    http://arise2write.blogspot.com
    http://andrealuvsallgodscreatures.blogspot.com

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  11. Leslie: I am so thankful your son "out"grew that habit! Thanks for stopping by.
    Blessings,
    Jen

    Karen: I think maybe they were bored... ha!
    I celebrate the internet too! What a blessing!
    Jen

    Andrea: Thank you, i joined yours, too. I am a kittie lover supreme,
    Jen

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  12. Thanks for the reminder, Jen :)

    Hope you had a great weekend!

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  13. Karin: You are welcome.
    Yes, I did, in spite of the rain on the 4th. Thanks!
    Jen

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