Celebrations know no limits. They are not just reserved for birthdays. In my world celebrating is the DNA of joy and gratitude that is interwoven into our lives. Celebrating becomes even more critical in times of suffering and struggle. The longer the season of drought, the more necessary moments of celebration are to infuse breath into our lungs to keep us going.
A few weeks ago I had the great privilege to chat with two of my college friends on their podcast, Seasons. You should absolutely subscribe! They are so fun, entertaining, and are bringing some insightful information to their listeners.
During our visit, my friend, Jackie, asked me on 2 occasions my thoughts on celebrating in seasons of struggle and suffering. I gave her a few ideas and then we moved on to the next topic. But in the coming hours, days, weeks that question has continued to re-play in my brain. As if I missed something really big. Fast forward a couple of weeks and here we all are “Sheltering in Place” during the Covid-19 outbreak. (For more information on how to offer hospitality for those that are sick, be sure to read this POST!) It seems more vital than ever to spend a little more time discussing this topic.
So, “How do you celebrate through seasons of struggle or suffering?” My answer is simple. Often and with intentionality.
Before I share some ideas on how to do this, know that every person journeys through seasons of difficulty in different ways. Celebrating together through these seasons widely varies by the individual. I always say that I would love for everyone in my life to fill out a survey for times like this…I would have questions on it like, “When you are going through a hard time what do you desire most from the people around you?” I would add multiple choice questions like, “When you are sick, would you like to be served in which way? A: Have a friend pop by for a visit. B: Drop a meal on the porch. C: Send you a text of encouragement. D: Send you flowers. E.: Take your kids to school for you.” Surveys for friends are not likely so I try to be a student of others. I listen, take notes, and respond in ways that meet stated needs. I also try to serve individuals in ways in which they often serve others. With this in mind, let’s talk about ways to celebrate through these times of hardship.
Celebrate Often
During times when you feel like all hope is lost, it is important to set small victories. How about treating yourself to your favorite coffee drink after doing something hard? Small celebration. Having a good check up at the doctor. Small (or very large!) celebration. Rewarding a child for doing their homework without complaint. Small celebration. Making pancakes on Saturday mornings as a family to celebrate an opportunity to sleep in! Celebration!
If your season of struggle is financial find creative ways to celebrate within budget. We have hosted dinner parties on a dime. Make something simple and inexpensive like pork tenderloin and have your guests bring sides or dessert. Guests love to contribute and it will make for a low cost celebration. The size of your house and wallet do not dictate your ability to celebrate often!
Sometimes you may just need a silent celebration. Those are the kind in which you just sit and pray. Thank God for a moment of peace and quiet. Thank him for a moment of relief or moment without pain. Give thanks for a day where nothing else went wrong. Celebrating does not always have to involve other people. The greatest celebrations live in our hearts. Communing with our Creator. Offering praise for a moment worth celebrating.
Celebrate with Intentionality
It is important to not only celebrate in small ways, but also to plan celebration into our daily lives. Be intentional. It is valuable to set a celebration for a specific time and then look forward to it. The anticipation can be just as therapeutic as the actual celebration. In times of sorrow, having things to look forward to is what you need to keep you going. We all need a hope target. -Something to look forward to in the dark. A hope target is goal to achieve, it is a moment of success.
As we celebrate with intentionality I have found that two themes reign over celebration in seasons of sorrow or struggle: Community and Gratitude. These two themes are what make celebration rich and possible during our toughest days.
Community is critical in seasons of suffering and sorrow. During hard times we have a tendency to pull back and isolate. We sit home in the quiet and the stillness of our sorrow. Personally, I have noticed in seasons of struggle I often become pretty selfish. Just thinking of my own needs and difficulties. Community is the perfect antidote. Thinking of others automatically shifts your paradigm. Gathering your friends to celebrate making it through a tough work week on Friday night makes the week bearable. It gives you and your guests an opportunity to think of each other’s needs, shifting the focus off your own. If your friends are anything like mine, belly laughs while you are together will be just the medicine your soul needs to persevere.
Celebrating together in these seasons can be the most meaningful celebrations of all. The times that have been the toughest for me or the closest people in my life have been the times that have solidified our friendships. Seasons of struggle or sorrow can draw us closer to one another. Bringing a friend cookies in the middle of the night when they are sleeplessly waiting in the hospital waiting room can give them the strength and comfort to get through the night. Celebrating the life a loved one lost with a beautiful ceremony and hours of warm hugs and good food can heal hurting hearts.
Gratitude is the posture of a restful heart in the midst of deep suffering. Gratitude will give you abundant reasons to celebrate. When your mind is focused on the good, suddenly the bad does not have so much power. Finding ways to celebrate is much easier. You see reasons to be grateful and celebrate all around you. A beautiful day with the sun shining and a gentle breeze will make you want to gather your family and friends to have a picnic in the park and fly kites. Just because you were gifted a good day. A good night’s rest will give you enough energy to go out for lunch with a friend. A gratitude mindset will help you to infuse celebration into your day and will encourage everyone around you.
Journaling notes of gratitude every day is a great way to practice gratitude. Writing thank you notes to friends that showed up for you in your sadness or brought you dinner just because will give you a grateful heart posture. And the most important gratitude tip I can convey is purely filtering your thoughts and re-focusing your thoughts to gratitude instead of thinking about your difficulties. (Philippians 4:8: Finally, sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.) When you focus on the things you are grateful for, you will live a life of celebration.
Sweet friends, life is hard. Some days are filled with uncertainty and hardship. It may feel like there is nothing worth celebrating. But, choosing to celebrate during these difficult days is paramount in ushering hope into your daily life. Hope isn’t just for eternal restoration. It can be found every day. Suffering and joy can live side by side. Look for ways to celebrate each day. Celebrate the little things and go all out for the big ones. The darkest seasons will produce the sweetest, most meaningful celebrations. Don’t miss out on them! They will be the highlights you remember when the light comes flooding back into your world. They will be the things that got you through and saved your joy.
Meet the Hostess
I'm a Southern girl who loves a good party, a house full of laughter, and a porch swing full of friends and family. I blog about how to host in a way that matters. Curious what I mean by that? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND READ MY STORY.
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