Procrastireading

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 60: Today, I am grateful for procrastireading.

I am guilty of this. I love to read and enjoy learning. It can be a distraction. It can, also , be calming and a simple kind of stress management. We can slip away to somewhere new in a good book. Reading can be a distraction. It can pass the time more quickly when we have to wait. It can be the reason other tasks are neglected... thus the "procrastireading" term.

I am confident there are many times I have started down reading one quick thing and it led me down a road to another reading, another book series or another form of learning. Reading for pleasure is good for the soul

. Sometimes, in random readings, we find direction. Other times, those random readings are really Spirit led.

"And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it." -Habakkuk 2:2

Today, I am grateful for procrastireading.

Do Be Do Be Do!

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 59: Today, I am grateful for the do-be-do-be-do! 

I am a weirdo. I love grammar. I am not a master at it, but I try to get it right. One of the things I have found to be so amazing about the Holy Bible is the value in looking at the Hebrew/Greek grammar when a verse is confusing and needs to be explored a little deeper. Grammar can be key in understanding. 

Remember the tenses? The past, present and future tenses were a part of your English Grammar education. Some may have done their best to forget those most "boring" of days in Language Arts. I think they invented diagramming sentences to make it more of a game. I still love diagraming sentences. (Refer to the "I am a weirdo" statement.)

Remember the "Rat Pack"? Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Humphrey Bogart and Dean Martin are some of the most memorable members. They often hung out at Bogie and Bacall's home.  Some say Lauren Bacall coined the phrase "rat pack" after her husband, Humphrey Bogart returned from a weekend in Las Vegas with his pals in tow. The musicians of the group were known for their "do-be-do-be-dos".

I've never thought about it before but "do verbs" and "be verbs" are two of the most important in our language. When we learn a new language, we learn the "do" and the "be" verb equivalents quickly. They help create the foundation of our language. How many sentences a day involve these words in all tenses? Countless. What we do and who we are matters. 

What we choose to do tells the world who we are. 

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." -Romans 12:12

Choose to rejoice. When you see hope, celebrate it. Be patient... especially in trials. Pray constantly. It is one of the most effective ways of controlling the tongue. Know who you are...  in Him. Be all you can be... in Him. Do what you can do to be salt and light. 

Today, I am grateful for the do-be-do-be-do! 

Another Way

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 58: Today, I am grateful for the God of another way. 

When the problem seems big, we intellectually know that our God is bigger. A friend posted this image from "A Modern Day Ruth". I had to borrow it. 

"God didn't remove the Red Sea. He parted it. God doesn't always remove your problems, but He will make a way to get through them." 

It's true. He always makes a way. In time, we understand a little more of the purpose in the trial. Our "Red Sea" moments are powerful. There are moments when the only thing we can do is wait and see what God will do. 

We can't hurry Him or force His hand. His ways are not our ways, but he makes a way in the wilderness and through the desert. 

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." -Isaiah 43:19

A new thing! Another way! Our God is not limited. He can and does make a way through every struggle and trial. When we seek his face, new ways appear and fear disappears. 

Today, I am grateful for the God of another way. 

The Light That Remains

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 57: Today, I am grateful for the light that remains. 

"There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, their light remains." -unknown

Today, my Jill would have been 57 today. 8 years ago she celebrated what would be her last earthly birthday. We were connected nearly every day for 28 years. The time flew swiftly. From college days... to newlyweds... to half-empty nests, so many shared seasons. Each one with its joys and sorrows. Life is full of both. I could not have asked for a better partner in family fun, faith, fellowship and friendship. 

I have had the best sisters-in-love, too. When my sister, April, died at 28, I realized God had given me some beautiful sisters through the Love of My Life and through my little brother's choice in a wife. My heart never needs to be lonely, although I wish I had more time with all of them. Yes, I often long for more time to hang out with these beautiful ladies I get to call family. 

There are a few more friends who fit into the "sister slot" in my heart. They are long and special friendships through many seasons. They know who they are. I can't imagine life without them. They each bring light and laughter to the table. Even when time and space separate us, it only takes a minute to catch up. Yet, somehow, there is never enough time to share what we want to share in the spaces in between. I thank God for these sisters of the heart, too. 

This past year, with Mama Ina Mae joining Jesus in heaven, I watched the aching and the breaking of her sisters (and brothers) hearts. Mama was a rare soul. I'm not just saying that because she was mine. She had a humble spirit and a grace that illuminated her days. In grief, we are grateful for her light that remains. 

This is not meant to be a sad post, but one that causes us to pause and give thanks for the ones who have poured light into our days. Some are still here, and others continue to light our moments and our missions through their memory. 

When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, the disciples did not understand. They did not want Jesus to leave them. They had walked with Him and talked with Him daily, in the most ordinary ways. It is what made the experience extraordinary. They could not imagine a sunrise or a sunset without Him. He made them a promise and kept it:

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." -John 14:26

The Holy Spirit would pour light into their days. He would teach them and help them remember. He would be the reason they would "bear witness" to the Way. His light was not gone, it would light them from within... like a spiritual glow. People would know they belonged to "The Way" and they would shine for the Savior. 

Today, I am grateful for the light that remains.

A Single Thread of Hope

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 55: Today, I am grateful a single thread of hope is still a powerful thing. 

Hope. What a beautiful four letter word. Hope is one of the most powerful forces on the planet. In hope, we hold on... because we have seen a mustard seed grow new life. In hope, we remember the faithfulness of our Living God. 

No one says, "Sign me up for that trial or suffering." But when trouble comes, we know we are not alone. In those seasons, his Holy Spirit is with us every step of the way. He never abandons His own.

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." -Romans 5:3-5

Why is that discomfort so often proceeds growth, refinement and good things? Think of the marathon runner. The discipline they practice daily pays off on race day. No pain, no gain, right? 

Do we hope with tenacity? Do we cling to the promises of God? We can hold tightly  to the unseen hand of the Comforter. In His Word there are so many promises and passages to strengthen us for the hard days. We can "be strong and courageous".  

Don't let go. It isn't the end of the story. 

Today, I am grateful a single thread of hope is still a powerful thing. 

A Better Connection

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 54: Today, I am grateful for a better connection.

"There is no WIFI in the forest, but you will find a better connection." 

Such a great quote! It is a true battle to "unplug" in today's society. We rely on WIFI for many simple, daily tasks. We don't read old fashioned maps. We have GPS to take us to new places. We put our grocery lists on our phones. We communicate with family and friends instantly through texting. We have instant answers to our questions. 

Listen carefully and I think you will hear the growing desire for humans to unplug and go off the grid and into the wilderness...  or onto a beach. Our souls need the deep breath of unplugging.

For those who know me best, I'm not really a camper. My idea of roughing it is a hotel with no pool. I like the comforts of home. I enjoy WIFI. I am as guilty as the next person. 

I am naturally curious. I love doing "research". I get sucked down the rabbit hole and find myself in "wonder-land". The internet provides links for many of the things I wonder about, if I know how to ask the right questions. 

A good WIFI connection is something we pay for each month. A good connection is priceless, but there is another connection that is even more valuable. Jesus modeled for us the value of going in "into the wilderness" for a better connection. When he was tired he rested, and then he found time to pray in a wilderness setting. 

A place with no distractions is a place where we can unplug from the things of this world and plug into the majesty of the God of the universe. In the wordless silence, His majesty is echoed in nature's song. There is healing and restoration for the weary soul when we pause to ponder His promises and protection.  

This scripture speaks of a time Jesus sought out a quiet place:

" And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. -Mark 1:35-36

His wilderness time is noted before the Crucifixion, too. After the last supper with his disciples and the heavy knowledge of Judas's betrayal, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. He went to pray before he was taken to face his beatings, mocking and his unfair death on a cross. 

When Jesus needed to power up, he unplugged and recharged before the biggest weekend of His human life. He found a connection powerful enough to carry the weight of the world's sins on his innocent shoulders... up until he gave up His Spirit and cried "It is finished." They didn't take his life, he surrendered it. 

I will be eternally grateful for a better connection. It isn't what you know... it is who you know. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

Talk about connectedness! 

Today, I am grateful for a better connection.

Classrooms Without Walls

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 53: Today, I am grateful for classrooms without walls.

This image grabbed my attention today. "Not all classrooms have four walls." This simple truth is huge. So much of education is checking the boxes. Education is so much more. Life experiences and critical thinking opportunities make learning an adventure and not a chore. 

I was blessed to spend time in the home of Rev. Louis and Hilda Knief.  I loved listening to them, hearing their stories and learning from their experiences. It was Rev. Knief who introduced me to this famous Mark Twain quote: 

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." – Mark Twain

School is important and the Knief children were good students who were expected to do their best. They were, also, inquisitive souls. They had varied interests, but each loved learning.  He never let school interfere with his children's education. 

Anytime we step outside our comfort zones, there are opportunities to try and learn new things. Rich lives are full of rich experiences. Many of them, money cannot buy. Stepping into the unknown takes courage. Life without a safety net is where some of the best learning takes place. 

I am, by nature, a safety girl. I need reminders to get in the boat and leave the shore. 

Nature is an amazing classroom. The family farm is another classroom without walls. I've often reflected on the reality of life and death on the farm. We watched animals give birth. We wept over cats and dogs whose lives were cut short by accidents or because they became a threat to other animals on the farm. We learned that life comes with hard choices. Right choices are not always easy. And, we learned weeping would not last forever. We cried tears and learned to press on. Yes, the rural lifestyle was rich in life lessons.

"Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." -Psalm 30:5b

 Some learning comes with smiles. Other learning can be accompanied by tears. Perhaps the sweetest learning comes with laughter and music. And, some of the most priceless learning comes without walls.

Today, I am grateful not all classrooms have four walls.

Laundry Put Away

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 52: Today, I am grateful the laundry is put away! 

"First world problems" include stuffed drawers and closets. It really is good to purge on occasion, but I have trouble throwing out my old favorites. I have socks I only really wear seasonally. I have PJ's that have seen better days. 

The fact I have all four seasons of clothing in my closet is a result of living in the Midwest. 17 degrees - 70 degrees can happen over the course of a few days. We are known to experience extreme weather changes in short periods of time. I like to be prepared for anything. 

The laundry room is ample in size, which is a blessing. I hang most things to dry. Of course, if I dried more in the dryer, I'd have to replace items more frequently... and, as previously stated... I have my favorites. 

We have a night time game we play. (Keep it clean... we are talking about clean laundry.) I stack clean clothes on the bed throughout the day with the intention of taking care of them. Then, I get distracted or I "see something shiny" as the Love of my Life would say. When he gets up to go to bed, I either race to complete my task or the folded clothes goes neatly back into the laundry basket to be put away another day. Home many times can the on the bed and back to the basket cycle be repeated? I'd rather not say. 

The truth is, I should do it immediately and not wait for all the socks or all the t-shirts. Nike says, "Just do it." I don't. The Love of my Life calls out, "Valerie Christine!" Game on! 

There is a simple joy in completing the task. My menial household chore is nothing compared to the joy and accomplishment heaven must have felt when Jesus's suffering was over. The human part of Jesus endured the beatings, the nails, the thirst, the cross and perhaps the worst part... the heart piercing abandonment by His friends. 

When he exhaled for the last time, the earthly suffering was finished! 

" When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." -John 19:30

The grave could not and would not hold Him. It was finished!  He willingly gave up his life to be our sacrifice and atonement. He finished the job in the most amazing way. Victory over death. 

That is way bigger than my little laundry victories! Yet, there is a sweet victory in having all the laundry put away. 

Today, I am grateful the laundry is put away! 

The Laundry Basket

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 51: Today, I am grateful for the laundry basket.  

When I was a little girl, Mama Ina Mae would put our clothes in our laundry baskets. We were required to put them away. A simple task, but a chore we knew was ours to complete. If you wanted something washed, you needed to get it to the laundry hamper, or do it yourself. 

We had a little door from the bathroom into a hamper cabinet making it easy to get our dirty clothes to Mama. It was just a few feet from the laundry room.  The sound of the washing machine and dryer was a constant one. Farming and busy teens made loads of laundry. Laundry baskets were for the collection, sorting and delivery of clean clothes to our rooms. 

In between loads of laundry, laundry baskets were used for other tasks, such as storing quilts, hauling meat to the basement freezer or transporting gifts at the holidays. A laundry basket is a multipurpose household item. 

Baskets are practical items. They have been since man figured out how to weave natural materials into many kinds of baskets. Different cultures have different raw materials, but every culture has some kind of basket that is used for laundry and other household chores. 

When Jesus performed miracles to feed the massive crowd, the disciples used baskets to gather the leftovers:

"And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces." -Luke 9:16-17

Such a humble household item, but we sure would miss our laundry baskets if they were gone. 

Today, I am grateful for the laundry basket. 

Anticipation

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 50: Today, I am grateful for anticipation.

What is it about anticipation? We know it isn't time yet, but we enjoy the wait. In most things, humans have a hard time waiting. The sad reality is that rushing in too soon can steal the joy of the most special moments. Learning patience in the little things helps grow our strength and resolve to wait on the big stuff. 

"The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting." -Andy Warhol  

There was an old song, "Anticipation", by Carly Simon about "making me wait". Heinz Ketchup capitalized on the message in her song to remind the world that Heinz ketchup is worth the wait. Honestly, it was "truth in advertising" on that one. As a condiment queen, Heinz is my favorite ketchup to this day. Of course, the squeeze bottle was a genius way to hurry up the marriage of ketchup and French fries. 

It is good to slow down and not move so fast. The older we get, the more we realize how short our days really are. Taking time to savor not just the seasons, but the silly, the sassy and the sweet. 

For us, time with family and friends is the most precious. I anticipate the trips to Randy's family and back home to my family, too. There is never enough hours in the day when we are together. Now that our children are grown, dinner and games are like a mini vacation without leaving town. 

The anticipation of what God has in store for those who believe in His Son and trust Him for their salvation is sweet. We have no idea of the goodness ahead. The worship, the wonder, the reunions, the wild abandon of goodness we are promised. God keeps his promises.

"But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” -1Corinthians 2:9 

God keeps his promises. They unfold in His perfect timing. 

Today, I am grateful for anticipation.

Giggles and Grins

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 49: Today, I am grateful for giggles and grins.

Laughter is good for the soul. 

Pinterest and Instagram are a great place to keep funny memes and pictures. My cousin, Angie, taught me the delight of smiling dog pictures. You cannot keep a smile hidden when faced with an image of a grinning dog. 

This particular meme made me laugh out loud. Primates are so expressive. The quote was hilarious. 

"A joyful heart is good medicine,: -Proverbs 17:22a

Take some time to laugh out loud. If you have wee ones around, enjoy their belly laughs.

Today, I am grateful for giggles and grins.

Old Things

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 48: Today, I am grateful for old things.

I have always loved old things. Old music, old letters, historic photos, old books, vintage jewelry and clothing and antique furniture have never been worthless in my eyes. Perhaps it is because my soul loves a good story and old things have stories... even if the stories remain secret and never told. 

When you think about it, the things most people would grab from a burning house are quite often things of little material value. They grab the things that connect them to their past. These are the items that remind them of what matters in this life. Connections. People. Faith. Hope. And, love. 

Old things and older people remind us to slow down. We hurry too much. Sit back and watch the grandparent wait on the toddler who is figuring things out. They enjoy watching the learning process as much as they savor the victory of a new accomplishment. 

Shel Silverstein wrote a poem that struck a chord with me the first time I read it. 

The Little Boy and the Old Man

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."
Said the old man, "I do that too."
The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."
"I do that too," laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, "I often cry."
The old man nodded, "So do I."
"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems
Grown-ups don't pay attention to me."
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
"I know what you mean," said the little old man. 

Our culture no longer respects the aged or the innocent ones. I imagine it breaks the Father's heart. I know it ignores His instructions. I know there are times I am less patient than I should be. I spend too much time in a hurry and chasing worry, and not enough time pausing to watch, listen and learn.

The scriptures mention aging often. 

"Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you." -Deuteronomy 32:7

"Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days." Job 12:12

Today, I am grateful for old things. 

Draw New Lines

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 47: Today, I am grateful we can draw new lines.

We are taught quickly as children about the importance of learning to color inside the lines. The goal is a neat and clean coloring project. One that anyone would want to hang on the fridge. We are taught to use the right colors for the right images.

There are times there is no joy in staying inside the lines. We stretch, learn and grown when we find the courage to go outside of what is expected.

Our Creator and Savior came up with a way to save us. Our God "drew outside the lines" to come up with a way to serve justice, act mercifully and to love us into the Kingdom, all at the same time. His plan was not what anyone expected.

When life hands out trials that seem unsolvable, perhaps we need to ponder what it means to "draw outside the lines." There are usually opportunities to creatively solve problems, but we forget to consider the more creative solutions. They might be "hard" or no one has ever done it that way. It is so easy to force ourselves to color inside the lines. Oh, the joys we miss. 

This scripture is perfect for reflecting our God who colors outside the lines:

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." -Isaiah 43:19

Today, I am grateful we can draw new lines and for a God who drew new lines, too.

Magic and Mystery

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 46: Today, I am grateful for the magic and mystery in art.

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." -Thomas Merton

What a brilliant quote. It captures the paradox that is art. While creating we not only lose ourselves in the process, we discover and uncover parts of our personality we perhaps did not even know existed. 

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. -Genesis 1:27

In His image, we were created to create. Every so often, I am reminded of the great gift of creativity that lies in each one of us because He breathed His breath into us. It won't be neglected. It burns within us. It requires tending. 

For some it is baking and others make quilts. Some write while others organize. Creativity comes in so many forms. We are not to neglect our gifts or doubt the giver of all good gifts. Someone once said, "Find what makes your soul sing, and do that thing." 

Today, I am grateful for the magic and mystery in art.

Everyone has something to teach

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 45: Today, I am grateful everyone has something to teach. 

Every person, big and small, has something they can teach. You don't have to have big degrees to be a teacher. Each one of us can be blessed by those around us with humble backgrounds, but much to teach. We must learn to pause and listen. 

We had a sweet, quiet, little gal who cleaned our offices when I worked at St. Jude. She had the sweetest heart and the kindest spirit. She had a gentle wisdom that saw through people. If she spoke, I listened. Sometimes she offered encouragement. Other times, simple wisdom. Simple wisdom is rich and pure. 

"Every person you meet knows something you don't; learn from them." -H. Jackson Brown, Jr

The people who cross our path from different spaces and places bring a richness to the table. It is so easy to look at the "most important" person in the room. Celebrities are always trying to raise their status by carefully choosing their entourage. It isn't who you hang out with, it is who you know. Sadly, there is a great deal of unhappiness in those circles. 

I love how Jesus selected his disciples. He didn't look for perfect people. He sought out the wounded and the weary. He engaged the boisterous and the bossy. Each brought something to the table they could use to teach others. 

Look at Paul, who knew how to make tents. I imagine him working with his hands and sharing the gospel at the same time. The sons of thunder knew fish and the sea, they had things they could teach. Matthew understood taxes. Martha could teach meal planning and Mary the art of hospitality. Everyone has something to teach.

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. -Proverbs 1:2-3 

I am grateful for those who have taught me so many things over the course of my days on the planet. I pray God grants me a few more, as I know I have so much more to learn. I am grateful for the many teachers in my life. 

Today, I am grateful everyone has something to teach. 

Love Notes

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 44: Today, I am grateful for love notes from God. 

Twenty-one scriptures that remind us of God's crazy love for this human race. I've given up trying to make sense of it. My gratitude for his tenacious hope for his creation and unfailing love will echo into eternity. Forever unworthy, but love doesn't measure worth and worthiness.  Love simple chooses to love... and God is love. 

"I have loved you with an everlasting love." -Jeremiah 31:3

Such a sweet way to frame it. An everlasting love has no end. Forever and ever, amen! 

Who do you send "love notes"? There are so many ways to post an "I love you" these days. Post-it notes, texts messages and emails provide instant ways. 

My favorites are still the hand written notes- although I find I am slower than ever at getting notes mailed out. In this season of instant technology, written notes become even more precious. I have "love notes" tucked away in special places from family, friends and other loved ones. 

Enjoy the love notes that come your way this week. 

Today, I am grateful for love notes from God. 

Feel It

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 43: Today, I am grateful for the love we can feel.

We all know life has complicated moments. Simplicity becomes more beautiful when life gets messy. I think it is why the wisdom of Winnie the Pooh and friends always seems spot on. It is usually simple and profound at the same time. 

Piglet: "How do you spell 'love'? 

Pooh: "You don't spell it, you feel it." 

Feelings can be unreliable, but when love is seeking the good of another before our own wants, needs and desires, it uncomplicates things quite a bit. Sure, love is a risk because it makes us vulnerable, but it makes it sweet and precious, too. 

"“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16

Some feelings reflect what we believe in the deepest part of our heart... not always out of physical evidence but because we know without a doubt what is true. Some say it takes courage. I think it is deeper than that. When we have tasted the full forgiveness and rich love of Jesus, we can't help but feel His truth.  

"...everyone who believes in him."

It is not what we do. It is what we believe. 

Today, I am grateful for the love we can feel.

True Love

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 42: Today, I am grateful for true love. 

Love. At Valentine's Day, it is thought to be romance, flowers and chocolate. These things are fun and festive, but are they true love? I don't think so. 

Love is bigger, better and not quite as pretty and refined. Real love takes commitment and work. It means learning to love the imperfections as much as the wonderful. Love the "less than perfect" and the gifts differently... but with the same kind of tenacity. 

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged." -1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Love is patient is one of my favorite thoughts. It doesn't hurry. It waits. It is a part of love that is the most selfless. It is not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. In other words, it is, also, not self-centered. It is not irritable. What is irritating becomes endearing because of love. Love is a choice everyday. It keeps no record of failures and missed targets. Love forgives. 

 "Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." -1 Peter 4:8 

Love, well tended, is the gift that keeps on giving. It keeps us stretching, growing and fully living. 

Today, I am grateful for true love. 

Spare Moments

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 41: Today, I am grateful for spare moments.

I think this is a first. I've never thought to give thanks for spare moments. The unplanned extra few minutes to savor things like art, baking, woodworking, crafting, quilting or a conversation at a neighbors fence. I love spare moments. 

"Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spare moments recharge us, invigorate us and bring delight to an ordinary day. So much of life is lived out by the clock... to the minute. What an extraordinary thing it is when you have more minutes than tasks to complete! 

Extra time is more precious than gold. How we spend our time reflects our values and what is truly important. 

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples who were with him had to figure out how to proceed. Things were not as they had been. What were they to do with what they knew and what they had experienced? They responded with praise. 

"And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God." -Luke 24:53

They would figure out what came next in time, but for that moment, they embraced the wonder of what they had seen and heard with Jesus. They paused and fully lived in the moment. 

Today, I am grateful for spare moments.

The Element of Fun

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 40: Today, I am grateful for the element of fun. 

In most tasks we can find something that makes the, more bearable... and even fun. 

"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun." - Mary Poppins

We hated to clean our rooms as kids. Mama Ina Mae was nervous during storms. I will never forget speed cleaning to the song, "Hava Nagila" as a storm roared outside. Each time the song sped up, we cleaned faster and faster. It felt so silly and the work aspect disappeared. Mama was there to supervise, so I know it was not a "shove it in the closet" solution. We did the work correctly, and had some fun, too. Mama found a purpose and an excellent distraction from the storm. 

So many sweet memories can be triggered by an image or a song. Combine the two and the memory is set.

Today, I am grateful for the element of fun. 

Don't Look Back

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 38: Today, I am grateful for reminders to not look back. 

This is one of my all-time, forever favorite prints from the magnificent Mary Engelbreit. This is the print that made me a fan. She draws so many little details into her drawings and usually has a quote in the design. Collecting quotes and mixing them with art delights my soul. 

We all make decisions every day. Good and bad. What we eat, what we wear, where we go and how we spend our daily gift of 24 hours. How we spend our days reflects our priorities and values. 

One of the ways we waste precious minutes is time spent beating ourselves up over things in the past we cannot change. "Don't look back." is a reminder to own our decisions. Even the bad ones. We learn from them and move on.  Life doesn't have an undo button. 

Recently, I was looking at Genesis 19 and "Lot's wife":

 "But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt." -Genesis 19:26

God had spared them the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, but Lot's wife looked back. Angels literally ripped Lot and his family from death's door, but a part of Lot's wife was struggling to leave the place they had called home. Behind her was a place so sinful God reigned down His justice without flinching, but she could not leave without looking back. 

God knew Lot's wife's heart. He knew the reasons she looked back instead of forward. We can only wonder. In her situation, would I have looked back, too? I hope not, but how many times have I lamented the things I did or did not do? 

Looking back on things that are "no longer an option" is wasted energy. 

Today, I am grateful for reminders to not look back. 

Friends we find when lost

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 38: Today, I am grateful for the friends we find when lost. 

Is there anything more humbling than realizing you are lost? Most of us do not relish the moments we discover we have no idea where we are going, but it is certainly not where we intended to be. From the classic, "Snow White". by the Brothers Grimm, we find this quote:

"It is when we are most lost that we sometimes find our truest friends." - Snow White, By the Brothers Grimm

In the Disney version, Snow White finds the seven dwarves before she finds her Prince. They are all so full of personality and charming, even the grumpy ones. They find her and take her in. They give her a family and a home. They give her a place and a space where she feels she belongs. What a glorious gift it is, to feel like you are loved, wanted, needed and like you belong... especially when you feel like you have been lost and alone. 

When we feel lost and alone, Jesus is near. He never abandons his own. In Him, there is truth and refuge. He is the best of friends. 

"The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him." -Nahum 1:7

We are never so lost we are out of His reach. 

Today, I am grateful for the friends we find when lost. 

Wise Pursuits

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 37: Today, I am grateful for wise pursuits. 

I needed flowers today. The rose seller, Trinda, in the MJHS musical, "Oliver, Jr." did an amazing job! She made me long for fresh flowers. 

This scripture is a snippet of wisdom from the perfect little book of Proverbs. 

"Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor." -Proverbs 21:21

Even if you are not a believer in the Bible and Jesus, the Book of Proverbs is an amazing read. God gifted Solomon with Godly wisdom and any human who follows the wise instruction will benefit. 

The word pursue is a good place to pause. To be in pursuit implies chasing down. Do we chase righteousness and love? The by-product is finding a fuller life, prosperity and honor. 

We all measure success in ways that are personal. In the end, I  am reminded that when you walk through a cemetery, no one puts their resume highlights on their tombstone. What fragrance will we leave behind? What seeds are we planting and watering?

We can choose to chase His Word and His ways. When offering our lives as a "living sacrifice", we follow Him with our whole hearts. Not every day is perfect, but our Lord is perfect in every way. There are seasons of refining fires, but don't abandon the race. Wise pursuits lead to peace, joy, fun, community and fellowship. 

Today, I am grateful for wise pursuits. 

Local Theater

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 36: Today, I am grateful for local theater.

Our MJHS students have two out of three performances under their belts. What a show they are putting on for their community. "Oliver, Jr.", the musical, is based on Dicken's Oliver Twist. The youth have outdone themselves again. They can sing, act and dance. 

Local theater comes in many varieties. It never disappoints. The shows taking place in the schools bring out so much community support. That is a part of what makes it so special. 

One more show at the Bertha Frank on Sunday at 2pm. $3 for K-12 students and senior citizens. $5 for adults. 

Simple gratitude today. 

Today, I am grateful for local theater.

One Kind Word

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 35: Today, I am grateful for one kind word. 

Kindness is powerful. This quote sums it up:

"One kind word can warm three winter months."

Kindness matters. It can be a game changer.

"Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." -Proverbs 16:24

Kindness is encouraging and healing. It is not costly. It only takes a little time. Kindness is a choice. The more it is practiced, the more reflexive it becomes. 

Kindness is, at times, a form of courage, too. There are times we have to reach deep to find the kindest response. Perhaps the people who provoke us need our kindness the most. A kind word can feel like a kiss of grace. 

Today, I am grateful for one kind word.