Bill Morris survived two tours of duty in Vietnam. After the first 12 months, he took leave to visit Japan for some much needed R&R. While there, he bought a beautiful set of china that he had shipped to his mother as a gift. When his second tour ended, Bill was excited to finally return to the States and to his parents’ home for an elaborate homecoming meal prepared by his mother.
Bill was a bit surprised, though, when he sat down at the family table to see the same mismatched dinnerware that he’d known as a child. “Mom,” he asked, “Didn’t you receive the china I sent you?
“Oh, sure,” replied his mother. “But I’m saving that for a special occasion.”
Wow! What would it take to qualify as a special occasion with Bill’s mom? You would think seeing a son who survived being shot at for two years would merit breaking out the best dishes.
I can’t be too hard on Mrs. Morris, though, because I do the same thing. I wait for “one of these days,” for that elusive time “when the time is right.” Do you?
We may wait for a special occasion to tell our spouses how much we love them. We may think often of how much a good friend means to us, but fail to ever deem the time to be right to put our feelings into words. Sometimes we may shrink back from breaking out the best compliments to tell our children how proud of them we are. We also often wait for a special occasion to talk with God. And, many are waiting for some future day to finally be happy.
The Bible says that instead of waiting, we should make every day a special occasion. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,” (Psalm 118:24). “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation,” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
It is always the right time to say the right thing. It is always the perfect time to pray to the perfect one. It is always a special occasion if we are spending it with people who are special to us.
Let’s make today a special occasion. Break out your best to share with people! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Keith Wishum is minister, Williams Road Church, Americus.