what does it mean?

This is the day the LORD has made and I will REJOICE and be glad in it. Psalm 118

What does it mean to rejoice? This is from from the free dictionary online,
re·joice  (r-jois)

v. re·joiced, re·joic·ing, re·joic·es

v.intr.

To feel joyful; be delighted: rejoiced at the news; rejoiced in her friend's good fortune.

v.tr.

To fill with joy; gladden.

Phrasal Verb:

rejoice in

To have or possess: rejoices in a keen mind.

To feel joyful, to be delighted. I wonder how could I not be delighted if I feel joyful? And if I'm in close relationship with the Lord, how could I not be gladdened?

My walk with the Lord has been growing every day, every moment in a new way. When I live my life for Him, to proclaim what He has done for me and not just praying like it's a chore or only when I need or want something, like he's this cosmic Santa Clause.

 But thanking Him with all He's done, thanking Him for waking me up to enjoy a new day, thanking Him for creating taste buds so I can enjoy my morning coffee, thanking Him for a  car to get to a job that allows me to pay for it, thanking Him for the friends I have, thanking Him for the clients I meet everyday, thanking Him when I get home and see my entire family has all come back to the safety and security of our home that He has provided, thanking Him for the beautiful blessings of my children, and thanking Him for providing a husband for me that is truly my best friend, how can I not rejoice?

I am richly blessed, I don't say this to brag, (well if you saw my honey, he's pretty cute!) I say this because over the past few years I'm realizing more and more, how incredibly rich I am, not in money but in blessings. No amount of money in the bank can compare to the love we share in our home, and the joy I have knowing that I get to fall asleep with mu husband while my kids are tucked in and awake to my best friend. We have something most people can only dream about. A beautiful marriage that is not filled with hateful words, a marriage that is built on truth and integrity. We have children, well I have children that he loves as his own. How many people can't have them or have lost them. And I am blessed with two.

Yes, of course going on vacation and all that are truly wonderful but if I didn't have him and the girls they would all be meaningless.

When I look at the challenges I face, recovering from past abuse issues, financial stress, petty arguments, running out of coffee creamer, I realize that all this will pass soon. When I say 'Lord I can't deal with this, I need you, " a peace overcomes me. When I have to confront life altering news and the unknown, it has taking my realtionship and prayer life to a different more deeper level, I realize more and more that without the support and love of the Lord, what do I have? Who is the one that will always listen, always be there, the only one that can truly comfort, that has the power to change the situation and the power to heal?

Yes He can work through people and use people, but ultimately He is in control.

That's fine with me, none of my friends can make a person out of dust, or heal a blind person or release me from the shame I've carried. So Why wouldn't I go to Him? Why wouldn't I trust Him?

And how can I not praise Him and rejoice in Him? How dare I only come to Him when I need something? How could I even have the audaucity to ask for a miracle if I can't even say thank you for the food in front of me?

So yes! Today I WILL rejoice and be glad! For this is another day the Lord has chosen to give to me! I will CELEBRATE all it has to offer!