Rejoice!

I have always described myself as a realist-optimist. I tend to look on the bright side of things, but always within the confines of delicately and determined logical boundaries, of course. My heart and passions are often veiled behind a shroud of caution. I will tell someone “everything” about myself while never revealing the deepest parts of my soul and my being. I tread carefully. I observe. And I guard myself.

Does this sound like you, sister?

But what if I started to peel away those layers? If I removed my armor, would the world come crashing down around me or would I, in fact, grow stronger because of this trust?

When my heart is guarded, my eyes are prevented from seeing. They say that seeing is believing. But so often, believing allows us to see. If I believe in the majesty of the Risen Lord, that fantastic and awe-inspiring miracle of His sacrifice, I will be gifted with new eyes and sight in the truth of His promise. Today's Gospel shows us the disciples whose eyes were opened to behold Our Risen Lord! (Luke 24:31) Let me see Him, too, and experience the incredible gift He is.

So today, instead of caution, I will rejoice with unashamed and unbounded freedom. I will throw up my arms in praise, I will dance, I will sing, I will jump in praise of our Risen Lord. I will seek Him in every moment. I will not guard my heart to His presence. And I invite you to do the same with me today, sister.

Let me see Him, too, and experience the incredible gift He is. // @Substance_SoulClick to tweet

Stop what you are doing in this moment. Lift your heart and hands to praise Him. Whether you are in the grocery store, your bedroom, your workplace, or at the park, just stop and rejoice and dance in His name. Rejoice!

Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife to Paul, mom to two little ones, and practices dentistry at a public health community center for low income families in the Bay Area, California. She (unashamedly) thinks ice cream is its own food group, loves anything Harry Potter, does not leave the house without wearing sparkly earrings, and is an enthusiastic proponent of the Oxford comma. Find out more about her here.