Celebrate!

Psalms 146 – 150, the last five chapters of the book of Psalms, begin with the encouragement “Praise the Lord!” The subtitles of each of the chapters in my New Kings James read:

• Chapter 146 – The Happiness of Those Whose Help is the Lord
• Chapter 147 - Praise to God for His Word and Providence
• Chapter 148 – Praise to the Lord from Creation
• Chapter 149 – Praise to God for His Salvation and Judgment
• Chapter 150 – Let All Things Praise the Lord

I feel like every one of those titles applies to our celebration this morning. Of course we spoke of the events at POCC. We spoke of our lives and how they have changed. But filling every word, the reason for all we’ve done and been blessed with, is our God. Our stories are now, as Steve said, part of God’s Story because we have encountered and surrendered to the Living God.

Now I don’t deny that there are many smaller stories that don’t feel worth celebrating in our family. Jobs problems, financial issues, people having to leave, and health concerns. But as we celebrated God and all He has done at Prairie Oak and in our lives, I think we all understood that God works in our lives, sometimes in spite of these things and sometimes through these things. In the stories shared today, we heard again how God can take anyone, wherever they are, and change their lives for eternity.

Thank you all for sharing your stories with Prairie Oak and with us all. I am personally so grateful to be a part of your lives and have you a part of mine. I look forward to another year together to praise God for His Word, providence, salvation, and judgment. Another year to add to His Story through our own stories. Another year to see what God has in store for us.

How has God been at work in your life this year? Click on “comments” below and share your story.