Celebration is one of the characteristics I love most about God. If there is one thing our God is, it is a celebrator. He could have made the world all one color, but no, He celebrates His creation with endless amounts of color. All you have to do is drive in upstate New York in the fall to see the splendor of color.
God celebrates! That’s just who He is. God has been celebrating you your entire life. He beholds you when you’re sleeping; He observes your successes and learning curves with celebration.
If you are a parent, you probably can relate to this celebrative spirit of God. Do you remember when your toddler was painting? You actually didn’t have a clue what it was that this child painted. You fawned over the child, “That’s great Johnny; as a matter of fact I think that’s the best painting I have ever seen.” You would proudly celebrate this painting by placing it upon that family “altar” called the refrigerator.
That’s how God responds to even our most brilliant and less than brilliant ideas. He loves you and He is very committed to celebrating you.
For some of us who grew up without receiving much celebration, this idea that God celebrates us seems so unfamiliar. Just know regardless of whom you are or how you grew up God is a celebrator and is celebrating you.
Now you are not the only one He celebrates. He actually celebrates us all. He especially celebrates your spouse.
They are the apple of His eye. He listens to their breath as they sleep and smiles as they go throughout their day. He communicates His celebration of them constantly.
When you are celebrating your spouse, you are in agreement with God. You are Christ-like when you are singing the same song of celebration that He is over your wife.
Remember the days when you first met your spouse? Those were great days of celebration. You didn’t need a sermon, a self-help book or a conference to encourage you to celebrate him or her. Almost anyone who knew you was told the good news of this new person you found to celebrate. Remember how you told your family and friends or just about anyone who you met how smart, attractive, spiritual or funny this new person was?
They were the bread of life! They were the probable solution to your singleness. They were the one you were waiting for—just take a minute and feel that old feeling. Really, close your eyes and remember the song of celebration you once had for your spouse. I know years may have gone by and both of you have matured and changed, but it’s good to remember where the song began.
Take a moment; does your spouse feel celebrated? Would they be able to say, “My spouse celebrates me so much?”
Now I know some of you could be sliding into a little “what about me.” “My spouse doesn’t celebrate me.” That takes us back to the power of one.
You lead in the party, you begin to celebrate them and plant celebration. Everyone loves a party! Once you start the love agreement of celebration, the atmosphere of your relationship at least has some change—and that’s you.
You will change and begin to pick up, maintain, or make louder the celebration of your spouse. I know that some of those great characteristics you bragged about in your spouse also are weaknesses. Before marriage your spouse was thought to be thrifty; now they are “cheap.” They were once called smart, but now you think they are a “know-it-all.” The list can go on and on about the weak side of your spouse’s strength. Honestly think about it: has your spouse changed so much, or has the way you think about your spouse changed? Oftentimes it’s how we think that has changed more than our spouse has changed. Often we go from a spirit of celebration to a spirit of criticism toward our spouses.
Remember criticism of another believer in Christ is probably placing you on the wrong side of God. He is not a criticizer of your spouse, but a celebrator. I always like to be on the same team as God. I know if I stay celebrating Lisa, regardless of Lisa’s disposition, I am in agreement with God. {eoa}
Doug Weiss, Ph.D., is a nationally known author, speaker and licensed psychologist. He is the executive director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the author of several books including, The 7 Love Agreements. You may contact Dr. Weiss via his website, drdougweiss.com or on his Facebook, by phone at 719-278-3708 or through email at [email protected].
Joseph Mattera 
BJ Foster 
Shelby Bowen 
