Change of Pace

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 181: Today, I am grateful for a change of pace. 

Posts might be quick and short for a few days. We are going to embrace a change of pace. 

We all move fast and furious with full schedules. There is a time and a place for that. There is, also, a huge gift in not making a full plan and creating margins where a day can unfold. 

We can become tired of the same old thing. Change it up. Sit in a different place at the table or in a different pew at church (Gasp!!!). A little change of pace is good for the soul and enhances creativity. 

Read a book for fun instead of learning.  Read a book for learning instead of fun. Something different than the norm. 

God embraces  "new things" sometimes. 

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 for a change of pace. 

For What You Escaped

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 180: Today, I am grateful for the things I escaped.

"If you can't be content with what you have received, be thankful for what you have escaped." -Unknown

That is a truth to sit on and ponder.  This life has some hard stuff.  Be careful not to dwell on the negative. 

Seek new eyes on any situation and you will find God is in the details. It is not always obvious at the moment, but we see it when He is ready to reveal it. 

This is a good reminder for the impatient among us (like me). Sometimes, it is hard to wait.  Sometimes, the wait is a part of the lesson.

"  and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; "  -Titus 1:3

Today, I am grateful for the things I escaped.

Good Eggs, Slightly Cracked

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 179: Today, I am grateful for good eggs, slightly cracked. 

Bernard Meltzer (1916-1998) was host of the long running program, "What's Your Problem?" He gave advice, recited poetry and delighted his audience with his distinctive smooth, soothing and quiet voice. 

This is a great quote:

"A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg, even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." -Bernard Meltzer

I use the saying, "good egg, slightly cracked", all of the time. It a great way to sum the people in our world who are fun, quirky and try to do the right thing. I did not know the origin of the phrase.  

So many in the world attempt to be like everyone else. "Like all the others" is so boring. Really?  God didn't take a cookie cutter appoach with creation. God enjoyed creation. He would occasionally sit back and take it in and would call it good. 

What about us? Praise God for His grace ! We don't have to be perfect to be deemed redeemable. 

"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God." -John 1:12 NLT

We get to become the children of God. We were given the right! We can't get it right by being "good" or by trying to be "perfect".  It is a gift. 

He isn't looking for perfect eggs. He is looking for the ones He can use. 

Today, I am grateful for good eggs, slightly cracked. 

Silence Is Never Misquoted

  

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 178: Today, I am grateful silence is never misquoted.

Oh, the desire within our human nature to have the last word! We want to be right. We want to win the fight. There are times when the best response is silence. 

The tongue is so small, but it can cause so much trouble. How many times do we regret the things we say in frustration and anger? Often, right? Once an angry word is spewed like venom, it can't be reclaimed. 

Like the dandelion puff we blow into the wind with a wish, the seeds of angry words once spent, cannot be recollected. They are in the wind, taking root in fertile soil. It can't be undone. 

"People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison." -James 3:7-8

Yes, there are apologies. But, some words leave emotional scars. It is better to speak wisely or not at all. 

"Sometimes, not saying anything is the best answer. You see, silence can never be misquoted."

Being a "word person", I know I need to be extra careful. Words can pierce the soul and bruise the heart. I blow it sometimes, and I ache over the things I should have said differently or not spoken at all.  His work within me is far from finished. 

We are instructed to love God relentlessly, chasing His heart. We are to love others with grace and gratitude. We are to love others the way He loves us... because of the way he loves us.

There are times silence is the perfect response. Choose love. 

Today, I am grateful silence is never misquoted.

God's Omniscience

 Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 177: Today, I am grateful for reminders of God's omniscience. 

I know, intellectually, nothing is hidden for God. Nothing surprises Him.  The last few Sunday's there have been lessons from the life of Elijah. I love that guy. He is real. Sometimes, on a spiritual high and other times, life's disappointments get to him. He is like most of us. 

We may spend another day on his passage, because one of my favorite moments in the life of Elijah happens later in the chapter. But, today, this verse has been stuck in my head all day. 

"And incidentally, there are 7,000 men in Israel who have never bowed to Baal nor kissed him!”   -1 Kings 19:18

God knew who was true! Elijah was discouraged and he was weary. Queen Jezebel was determined to see him dead in her fury. God showed up in a mighty way and embarrassed the arrogant Queen. Her prophets of the idol Baal, ended up dead. Elijah, strengthened by God, out runs the King's chariot. Elijah makes his escape. 

When God and Elijah are discussing what happened in Chapter 19, Elijah is feeling sorry for himself. Evil is everywhere and the people are not turning their hearts toward God. Elijah feels alone, but God very clearly tells him he has 7,000 men in Israel who have remained faithful to the One True God, never bending a knee to him. They have not worshiped the popular idol. 

Just like that, God tells him the headcount of the faithful. Just like that!  He knows who among us today are faithful, too.  Is the knowledge of his omniscience reassuring or terrifying? Ah... the Word has an answer to that question:

"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." -Proverbs 1:7

Some translations say it is the beginning of wisdom. When the reality of who He is becomes more real, we find ourselves in awe of the awesome One. We pause. We ponder. We pray. We humbly kneel before The King. 

Today, I am grateful for reminders of God's omniscience. 

Right Thing At the Right TIme

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 176: Today, I am grateful  His Word is the right thing at the right time.

Sometimes, we need encouragement. Sometimes, we need correction. We always need what flows from His Word. 

"But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” - Matthew 4:4

We like the things that make us feel good. We grow from the things that make us stretch. It is true. The "struggle bus" is where we grow.  In time and in submission to "thy will be done", we find ourselves learning to trust and finding joy in obedience. We are all works in progress. 

His Word is living, breathing and always delivers on time, but we have to open it up to receive His instruction. Savor it. Share it. Grow with it.  

Today, I am grateful  His Word is the right thing at the right time.

Our Guardian

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 175: Today, I am grateful for our Guardian against the evil one.

This world is full of evil. It is everywhere. A great read is "The Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis, but it also reminds me that beyond the obvious evil around us... there are things unseen. The book is fiction, but it represents  the truth that if we believe in God, Jesus and his angels... we cannot dismiss the other side of the war for our souls. It is game on. 

It is good to know we have a  faithful Guardian against the evil one! We have a Guardian who will strengthen us and who will be with us. 

"But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one." -2 Thessalonians 3:3

Isn't it good to know there is a promise of faithfulness? 

When C.S. Lewis was wrestling with his own faith, he was hanging out with a group of friends that  included J.R.R. Tolkien. They had many deep discussions about whether or not the Bible was true. When Lewis picked up the four Gospels, he found they read more like reports than religion. His spirit stirred. 

In time, Lewis said "Yes!" to the call of Christ on his heart and life. This is one of my favorite quotes about surrendering our will to His will: 

"Jesus Christ was either a liar, a lunatic, or He was who He said He was” -C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis had his revelation moment where he knew. The blinders fell off.  He gave his heart to Jesus and instead of finding it burdensome, he realized he was really free. The guardian of his soul would  strengthen him,  protect him and fight for him. 

That is as good as it gets!

Today, I am grateful for our Guardian against the evil one.

New Strength

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 174: Today, I am grateful for new strength. 

This scripture is loved by many. It is full of hope and promise. The NLT translation is not the most popular, but I found it helped me dig a little deeper into the verse. 

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." -Isaiah 40:31

When we "trust in the Lord" we do not waste energy trying to control things that are in His hands. When we let go and let Him drive, we find "new strength". We can recharge our souls because He is in the driver's seat. 

New strength. Renew is the word in some of the other translations. The Hebrew word is "halap". A common translation of the word is "change". New. Renewed. Changed. When we trust in Him, something changes. 

To run without growing weary and to walk and not become faint, awakens something inside of us. Something good. 

Today, I am grateful for new strength. 

Shared Power

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 173: Today, I am grateful for shared power.

We lost power at work this week for a chunk of the afternoon at the end of the day. I was quickly reminded of the blessing of back up generators. It is a form of shared power.  Everyone tried to reduce where we could to make what backup supply we had last longer.  It gave us time to finish some things and made sure no work was lost. I am grateful for those who have the insight to prepare us for those times when a backup power source is necessary. 

When the tornadoes tore through our community several years ago, we were without power for a significant amount of time. Our house is close to our next door neighbor's,  Jim and Susie. They have a generator. We do not. They shared their generator power to keep our fridge running and cold and  we were able to light some lamps. Such a gift! Shared power carried us through until the power returned. 

Another time I think of shared power is when I read the book of Acts in the Bible. For the ones who walked with Jesus closely, his return to heaven after resurrection must have been devastating. They must have felt as if they had lost their power source. But Jesus told them they would send His Spirit. He would not leave them orphans. They would see great things. 

"Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”" - John 1:50

"No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you." -John 14:18

He did not not abandon them. His Spirit descended upon them on the Day of Pentecost and they knew they were plugged into His power.  They went out into the world to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus. They were excited and fearless.  The went out knowing His power would not fail them.  In life or in death...  His promises were true. 

Today, I am grateful for shared power.

Rest In The Shadows

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 172: Today, I am grateful for rest in the shadows.

Another hot week. This scripture made me think about what it means to rest in the shadows.

There is a sense of cool retreat when we sit in the shade. The shadow doesn't hurt us. When the sun burns hot, it is good to find comfort in the shade. If we rest in the shadow of the Almighty, it is a shelter like no other.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." -Psalm 91:1 

Food, shelter and clothing are considered basic human needs. They are. Take them away and we don't survive long. 

I've never had any desire to be on the reality show "Naked and Afraid".  I'm not a fan of discomfort.  The show does remind us that covering our bodies gives us some protection from the elements. Clothing is not just about fashion. I've not watched the show often. I know there are times when sunburn is a real concern, when the climate offers little shade. 

I love the natural light of the sun. I thrive when the light is ample, but there are times it is good to pause and celebrate the shade of the shadows. 

Live, dwell, abide... celebrate   the shadow that reminds us our God is  near. 

Today, I am grateful for rest in the shadows.

Sandals

 Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 171: Today, I am grateful for sandals.

I was born barefoot and prefer to be that way, but things like jobs and grocery stores require shoes. Since I can't be barefoot, sandal season for me can begin as early as March if the weather permits and goes until late October or the first snow. I am convinced my toes need to breathe. From one sandal season to the next, the days in between are long.

I love Birkenstocks! They are so comfy and wear forever. Lately, Crocs and Sketchers Yoga Foam sandals are regulars on my feet. Oofos is another option for comfort and foot joy. My doctor once commented on my "freakishly high arches" which explains why once I find a good shoe or sandal that works, I tend to buy multiples. Then, I wear them until they fall apart.

Sandals have been around for thousands of years. They have changed with the fashions and with modern production speeding up the process of making sandals. They are always in demand. They are practical and sometimes quite pretty.

A couple of my favorite scriptures involve sandals. One is a moment when God is speaking directly to Moses via a burning bush.

“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground." -Exodus 3:5

Such a moment that must have been! Imagine the shock and the awe, all at the same time. Moses did as he was told. He took off his sandals . He was, indeed, on holy ground.

If you encounter God speaking to you from a bush, take your sandals off. You neve know what ground He might make holy today.

Today, I am grateful for sandals.

Good Fathers

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 170: Today, I am grateful for good fathers.

My sons are so blessed. They have had a great example of fatherhood.

The Love-of-my-Life has shown our boys so much of what it means to be a good man and a great father. I smile when I think about all the tasks he let them "help" with, that in turn, took twice as long to do. He enjoyed their company and it didn't really matter if the task took a little longer. It is how kids learn and learn to work. He still loves doing projects with them.

I smiled when "Good, Good Father" was a praise song today. The Love-of-my-Life always teases Walker that it is their special song. Walker just takes it in stride. Both boys know that their Dad's favorite place to be is with them.

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord." -Ephesians 6:4

Such sound instruction! If you want to teach your children integrity, live with integrity. If you want to teach your children to work, work with them. If you want to teach your children to live a life with faith... learn His Word and walk in His Ways.

Good fathers are in short supply. Studies show again and again the importance of having a present father in a child's life when they are growing up. If we get to keep them around for part of our adulthood, we are doubly blessed.

Today, I am grateful for good fathers.

Old Pictures and Paintings

Year 10- Day 169: Today, I am grateful for old pictures and paintings.

April painted this picture in college. The assignment was to create a painting from a black and white photograph. It has always warmed my heart that she chose this snapshot of Dad and me.

Mama took this picture. I know I was wearing his big, old work boots. Mama may have left them out of the picture when she framed the shot… or April ran out of room on the canvas. I’ve not seen the original snapshot in years, so I don’t know.

This picture brings back the memories of excitement a child feels when Daddy gets home at the end of the day. He is wearing his old Army hat and I can almost smell the earthy farm scents captured in my memories. I think I had a caterpillar in my hands. He would have been interested in my treasure.

This painting captures the moments I will never forget. The tender words and side of Dad many didn’t see. I know April felt the same memories as she painted this canvas.

This week I learned a little more about my dad from one of his best friends, Chuck. Because he lost his Mom when he was a young man, he was tender towards those who grieved. Chuck was our local funeral home director and is the picture of a professional in his work. He is a keeper of many secrets, I am sure.

Chuck had shared a little when Dad died, that he had occasionally stopped in to anonymously help with funeral expenses, if he thought the family was struggling. The families never knew. I thought he did it a time or two. I learned this week it was more his way. He would even do an additional check in the donations so he would not be a suspect.

He lived Roman 12:15-

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

Loud and bold at times, but a gentle heart who knew it was better to give quietly out of true love of His Lord.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

Today, I am grateful for old pictures and paintings.

A Dip In the Pool

 Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 168: Today, I am grateful for a dip in the pool.

Our kids grew up kind of spoiled when it came to swimming. When your best friends have an inground pool, you don't really have any need to go anywhere else. Yes, we've been spoiled. Twenty five years later, we are still taking dips in that pool when the temperatures rise. It is just how a weekend should start.

The temperatures continue to be brutal. If you are outside, you need to be in water. The humidity... let's just say I didn't have it in me to fight my curls today. It wasn't pretty, but I didn't waste any time on it. I hoped it would be a night in the pool. I was not disappointed.

Wherever people of the world live, there is almost always a local swimming hole or community pool. Some places have both. "The Pit" and the Clifton Pool were a huge part of summer for many. For us, it was a rare treat. My grandparents always had pools in Kankakee and Bourbonnais, so we didn't get to spend much of our summer hanging with friends. Mama and Dad thought a Sunday swim was plenty. The good news is, swimming with our cousins, aunts and uncles meant we built some solid friendships with our family.

A dip in the pool is good for the mind, body and soul. I can't help but think of the healing pool mentioned in the New Testament. It was said that when the waters bubbled up, the person who managed to make it into the pool first would be healed.

"Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” -John 5:1-8

A dip in the pool is what the man expected. A full healing was what he received. Everything changed for that man because of one dip into the mercy and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Yes, a dip into the pool of his forgiveness and restoration changes everything. What are you willing to risk?

Today, I am grateful for a dip in the pool.

Traveling Companions

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 167: Today, I am grateful for traveling companions.

Today, I traveled back home to mourn a special man. He was father to one of my best friends from childhood, and he was like a Dad to all of us who spent thousands of hours under his roof over the past 45 years. We came as kids and never left. When we married and had children, we would bring the kids along. There was always room for more. Glenn will be greatly missed.

It is always a four hour round trip when I make a quick trip home. I often become very tired while driving, so I am always grateful for traveling companions. Today, I traveled with a young lady who went from child to young woman in a blink. How does it happen so fast. She made a terrific traveling companion.

I am reminded that as we travel through this world, it is better with good companions.

"You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do." -Psalm 139:3   

Today, I am grateful for traveling companions.

The Straight Edge

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 166: Today, I am grateful for the straight edge of scripture.

"The Word of God I think of as a straight edge, which shows up our own crookedness. We can't really tell how crooked our thinking is until we line it up with the straight edge of Scripture." - Elizabeth Elliot

I love how she writes with comparisons that ring true with the average person. We have all used a straight edge to rip paper, to paint stripes or figure out if something is straight. A straight edge has many uses.

Sometimes, the scriptures are full of comfort. Other times, we feel them convicting our hearts. That is what they do.

Scripture breathes God's Word into our hearts, our lives and our souls. It helps us find our path and stick to it. God gives us His Word, so we don't forget who HE is. When we are in The Word, we are more likely to stay true to The One who gave us life.

"If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom." -James 3:13

Today, I am grateful for the straight edge of scripture.

He Is Still Leading

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 165: Today, I am grateful He is still leading.

Morgan Harper Nichols writes beautifully. This poem was posted on Pinterest and it felt like the right share for today's gratitude.

"Even in this season, she will remember just how far God has brought her and all the beautiful things He will continue to do... and even in subtle things, she will see progress, she will find beauty. She will see His hand in everything. For she knows He is working and she is growing , and He is still leading her where she needs to be. -Morgan Harper Nichols

We can't always choose our circumstances. We can choose where we put our trust. In fact, we must make that choice. The One we make our Lord, will also be our Shepherd.

The responsibility of the choice is ours, but once we choose Him faith begins to sprout. The sprout grows through the early storms and we wonder if it will survive? But, it does. And it grows and it grows.

The roots get deeper and the bigger storms are less intimidating when we know we have a good root system in place.

"But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people." -Psalm 52:8-9

Life has good days, bad days, joyful days and days we are not sure how we ended up in a certain spot, but this I know for certain... He is still leading.

Today, I am grateful He is still leading.

Meals that Don't Heat the House

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 164: Today, I am grateful for meals that don't heat the house.

The heat is upon us. The week ahead promises to be ugly. 

Harry Truman said, "If you can't stand the heat. get out of the kitchen. 

Great advice. It is too hot to cook and there are many choices. Order pizza, make a salad or something that requires no oven.

Be kind to the delivery people. They are extra busy. 

Today, I am grateful for meals that don't heat the house.

 

The Skies Speak

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 163: Today, I am grateful for the skies speak.

They do, you know. 

Lou Giglio does an amazing sermon where he actually puts together a series of star sounds and whale sounds mixed over a popular praise song. It is breathtaking. I have posted it before. I imagine it can easily be found online. 

This verse is not one I usually use, but it is one that makes me want to unpack all that is within.

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known." -Psalm 19:1-2

Scripture is a treasure trove of God's messages for us. How can we not find it exciting? There are so many mysteries just waiting for us to ask questions and to know more. 

There is an early praise song with the lyrics, "Lord, I want to know you more." Do we seek to know him more, or do we just want to lick the sweet frosting off the top of the cupcake? Are we clueless? Do we not know it is filled with something so decadent it will leave us speechless... but we don't know until we take a bite. So many miss the good stuff. 

We can read and study His Word for a lifetime, and still not "get it" all. We still miss some mysteries. On the other hand, there are passages like this one that I want to read in every translation and the original Hebrew to try and grasp it all. 

The heavens proclaim the glory of the Lord. They shout it out. They illuminate it. They sing. 

The skies display his craftsmanship. Oh, yes! He is an artist like no other. His imagination is boundless and we are created in His image to be like him. 

Day and night, the heavens speak. They sing and they shine His light on us all. 

Note the semicolon? Pause. Read it again and pause. 

Night after night, they make Him known. Why? Because creation can't help but sing his praises. Jesus said, "the stones would cry out." The stars sing, the whales and dolphins sing, the cicadas sing,  frogs sing and the birds sing, too. 

How can we be silent? 

Today, I am grateful for the skies speak.

The Heartbreak that Draws us Nearer

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 162: Today, I am grateful for the heartbreak that draws us nearer. 

A wise person once put forth this question: "If God seems far away, who moved?" Spoiler alert: it wasn't Him.

Heartbreak and suffering because of love are a part of every life... at least every life worth living.  To know great loss, we must first know great love. Love is worth it.  

"We shall draw near to God, not by trying to avoid sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him. Throwing away all defensive armor. If our hearts need to be broken and if He chooses this as a way in which they should break, so be it." -C.S. Lewis 

C. S. Lewis puts it quite eloquently. It doesn't make it any easier, but there is the reminder that God is magnificent at using pain to draw us nearer to His heart. 

"Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." -James 4:8 

God loves to heal and restore. Satan loves to destroy. Love makes us vulnerable, but it teaches us how to really live. Is it any wonder that the enemy tries to sell us "fake love". He has been working that scene since the beginning of time. 

As parents, we hurt when our kids hurt. We rejoice when our children rejoice. We were never promised this life would be easy, but were promised His ever present Holy Spirit would be with us. Pain is, at times, a part of getting our hearts in tune. 

Today, I am grateful for the heartbreak that draws us nearer. 

Clematis

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 161: Today, I am grateful for Clematis.

The whimsical vine looks too fragile to produce the big blooms on a Clematis. The vine doesn't seem to worry. It blooms big. 

I always think of my friend, Mike Ryan, who taught me Clematis likes shade on her bottom and sun on the top. It is why a lamppost with a trellis works out great or a fence with some sun.  

We must always not that when God designs something, it doesn't matter how it looks. God can do anything.

Today, I am grateful for Clematis.

Not Easy... Worth Seeking Out

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 160: Today, I am grateful it is not easy... but worth seeking out. 

Have you ever noticed that once something becomes easy, we get a little lazy. We expect  more tasks to be done with less effort. 

Now, I am not against modern technology. I love my fridge, stove, heater, air-conditioner and all of the other amenities we "first world people" take for granted. I am guilty of not being more grateful every day for those tiny, little conveniences, but that is why we are here chasing daily gratitude. Year ten into this journey, and I find there are still new little things I have forgotten to speak about in gratitude. Every day, I learn something new on the journey.

When something is easy... we fail to appreciate it. When something is hard, we often give up before we accomplish our goal. Someone just shared a post about all of Abraham Lincoln's losses, failures and disappointments. He failed far more than he succeeded. Still, he kept God's word in his head and in his heart, daily. He kept going.

The Love of His Life died when they were engaged to be wed. His marriage to Mary Todd Lincoln was not easy. History seems to record both suffered from depression. He lost elections... more than he won. When he finally made it to the White House to lead the nation, the Civil War would be on his plate, the loss of another child and many surrounding him who wanted him to fail. Still, he did his best to keep the straight and narrow path his legacy.  

His legacy was rich. So were the tears that watered the ground of soldier's graves on both sides of the Civil War. He hated the war. He cared about lives on both sides. He looked for the solutions that would save the most lives. He wasn't perfect, but he tried to do the most right he could do... until he took his last breath. 

Dad and Mama Ina Mae had "Johnny Horton Sings America" on vinyl. It was my favorite and could be what sparked my love of history and learning through songs that tell stories or teach. (Thank you Susie Akerman for the "States and Capitals" song) Oh yes, School House Rock was my favorite on Saturday mornings after Scooby-Do. (Hey, I was a kid who loved  mysteries.) Back to Johnny Horton... 

Johnny Horton's Song, "Johnny Reb", tells of the great "Victory Ball" that was thrown in his honor when the war was finally over. Instead of instructing the band to play a Union victory song, Abe asked them to play the song "Dixie" out of respect for the broken, the grieving and the dead. Mama and I would sing that song all last summer. It was on her playlist of favorites. Even now, I tear up at the lyrics. Abe hurt for the division, the brokenness, the evil running rampant, the lives lost, the fathers and sons who never came home on both sides of the battle-lines. Abe sought the narrow way. 

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." -Matthew 7:13-14 

No matter what Abraham Lincoln did, there would be losses to both sides. Brother against brother, perhaps, is the worst kind of hate.  We can't find that "very narrow and difficult road" by being smart enough, good enough or sprinkled with the right water. 

How do we find it? Jesus gave us the answer... and the key to the gate.  "LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART, ... and LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF". (Not shouting, just making it easy to find.)

Here is the passage in Matthew 22:37: "Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind."

Then, God in His mercy...  accepted Jesus's sacrifice on the cross in our place. The shofar blew and the death angel would once again pass over us, those who choose to believe and receive. 

Not that hard, right? Ha! But, not easy either. The gate is narrow and the path exhausting at times, but keep going. 

Long post... thanks for sticking with it if you made it to the end. Thanks to all who share encouragement on this journey, whether you have been her for 10 days or all 10 years. 

Today, I am grateful it is not easy... but worth it. 

Laughing Together Over a Meal

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 159: Today, I am grateful we can laugh together over a meal.

"The sun looks down on nothing half so good as a household laughing together over a meal." - CS Lewis

It is good. Time with loved ones at the table is priceless. I am fairly sure laughing at the table is good for digestion... and I know it is good for the soul. 

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." -Proverbs 17:22

Take the time to do more than talk. Laugh! Life is full of things that don't make sense. We can choose our response. Sometimes, we cry. Other times... we can laugh! 

Think about the last time you laughed hard over a meal. Who caused that kind of laughter? Spend more time with people who make you laugh. 

Today, I am grateful we can laugh together over a meal.

Tender, Responsive Hearts

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 158: Today, I am grateful for tender, responsive hearts.

"And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." -Ezekiel 36:26 NLT 

This is one of my favorite scriptures. I really like the NLT version. The imagery of a stubborn and stony heart being plucked out and replaced with a tender and responsive one always makes me smile. 

We are all works in progress. When we choose to believe in Jesus, we find new desires. We choose to chase after His heart, and not the things of this world. We are a long way from finished products, as we have not yet finished the race. We all have good days when we bear witness to the evidence of a changed life. Other days, the residual of the stony and stubborn rears its ugly head. 

There are days I want so much to "get it right", but feel like a failure. I forget it is His act of pure love, forgiveness and His grace that creates in us tender responsive hearts. He is the one with the power to change and refine us. Yes, we want to give Him our best efforts, but in the end... it is His power in us that changes everything. 

On our own, a perfect heart is impossible. In Him, nothing is impossible. 

Believe and receive that is the gift. 

Today, I am grateful for tender, responsive hearts.