What are you excited about today? What bounced you out of bed this morning? Was it one of the kids? Ours used to bounce us out of bed Christmas morning at 4 am. I’d say, “Hey! Go back to bed. It’s October.” We can all use an injection of enthusiasm now and then. So, I asked some friends, “What are you excited about today?”

JD says, “Each day is a new opportunity to jump out of bed, then pick myself up off the floor, and lay down until the pain stops.” He was joking. I hope. “God is good,” says JD, “and whatever He wants is good. That’s what excites me.”

Joan told me, “I’m excited that my sons still want to come for a home-cooked meal.” I’m with you, Joan. My sons love to stand with the fridge door open just considering the endless possibilities.

Tonya says, “I’m excited to clean and redesign the thrift shop where I work.” My wife says, “Come to our house, Tonya.”

Donna is a missionary in Latvia. “We just had 20 over for dinner,” she says, “including 4 families who are adopting orphans. We help local orphans and those in need through construction work and running a publishing company that translates Christian books into the Latvian language. Each day is exciting because there are so many opportunities.”

We all get down. But when we do, we’re wise to look up and remind ourselves of two things:

God is good. Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him!” When God is our refuge, our hope, our focus, gratitude turns our fear into excitement. God is good.

God isn’t finished. Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” God isn’t finished. Neither are we. I think it’s impossible to be both a pessimist and an effective Christian.

Grandchildren sometimes point the way. Seth is three. He’s excited about trains. Macy is two. She’s excited about her kitty which she carries around hugging very tightly. It is the most patient and resilient kitty ever. It has lived 12 lives. Sophie is five. She’s excited about swings. Caleb is one. He’s excited about Baby Shark.

I’ll close with Kelly’s words. She’s had her share of heartache in life, but says, “I’m excited about the promise of Heaven. Excited to stand before Jesus and know real love at last.”

What excites you today? Go ahead. Tell someone. God bless you.