If you haven’t heard Rebecca Black’s 2011 song “Friday,” let me offer a condensed version:
Friday, Friday, Friday, Friday, Friday (etc.)
Weekend, weekend, weekend, weekend, weekend (etc.)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (etc.)
Partyin’, partyin’, partyin’, partyin’, partyin’ (etc.)
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun (etc.)
Etc.
These are (cough) the important reasons to be happy when Friday arrives yeah yeah fun fun yeah.
Well, today is Friday.
And so I rejoice (which has no direct relation to feeling happy), but not because of weekend partyin’ fun oo-ooh-ooh hoo-yeah yeah (that last little bit is straight from the official lyric sheet).
I rejoice because of things that can’t be measured (and things that can be measured but aren’t by those who have grown accustomed to them) – because of things that are mundane (but are in fact miraculous, especially for those who rarely or never experience them) – because of things that are overlooked (at least by those who see them on a regular basis) – because of things that simply are (except when they aren’t, which is far too often in far too many places).
Tonight I will sleep on a comfortable bed, covered with blankets, in a warm room, under a functioning roof.
This evening I will eat fresh food, sitting at a table, drinking clean water, in the company of others.
Purdue Farmer's Market (Photos: CKirgiss)
This afternoon I will drive away from my job, on paved roads, alongside river and fields, towards my home.
River Road (Photos: CKirgiss)
Each and every day – including Friday – I have clothes to wear, water to bathe in, air to breathe, food to eat, books to read, people to love, hope for tomorrow, and grace beyond measure.
It is, indeed, Friday. And it is worth celebrating for the same thousand reasons that every other day is worth celebrating – because in the midst of brokenness, suffering, despair, pain, sorrow, fear, heartache, loneliness, worry, and death there is love, life, hope, healing, restoration, comfort, encouragement, beauty, grace, and Jesus.
Truly. It is as complicated and simple as that.
Breathe 
Love this! Although, I can’t stop singing Rebecca Black… I guess that is okay
That’s always the risk with a song like this, isn’t it – mention it with barely a whisper, just in passing, to no one in particular – and it will move right in and take control. At least it has a smidge of redeeming value by helping us see more clearly what we should really be singing about. Happy Joyful Friday to you!
Haha exactly. It’s not like I am singing it on a Tuesday!! Happy friday to you as well!!
I have to tell you that I still LOVE your blog. Thank you for writing, and reminding.
Thanks Madi. The reminding is mostly for my own sake – it’s so easy to forget what really matters. Writing it out sometimes helps to live it out.