Peek into my daily gratitude journal. Gratitude is a daily decision... not just a feeling. Stories, pictures, songs, scripture and other goodness to savor.
Today, I am grateful for all of the people who paused to offer a kind word or greeting today. I have more blessings than I can count today.
I wanted to thank each one individually. Each one made me smile for different reasons.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name." -Psalm 100:4
My heart overflows.
Today, I am grateful for so many happy wishes.
Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 303: Today, I am grateful for special greetings.
Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 302: Today, I am grateful for instructions to be a living sacrifice.
We had the joy of watching our Morton Marching Band do a community presentation of their marching band fall 2022 program. It was absolutely amazing. It was not a product of just this year's band, but a program that has been building into something special for the past 17 years.
We are a 2A school district in Band. 1A-6A - so we are second to the smallest. The past 17 years, they have taken 1st place in the 2A division, but it is tough when you go up against much larger schools to compete for the big prize.
They performed the show for the community this weekend. It was flawless. The magic of the moment included the pride felt by the whole community. 1600 people watched them perform. Eleven donors gave $1 for every person in the stadium. Small towns have big hearts.
This was my scripture of the day:
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. -Romans 12:1
It was perfect. For the Band to take that big prize, every cog in the wheel had to work. Everyone had to be at their best and keeping step. The work, the hours of playing, the sacrifices made on the part of the kids, the directors, volunteers and their families is huge.
In the beginning, when you are putting a program together, it is hard to make sense of it all. How the dots move and impact each other can feel like a mystery, but then it all comes together.
For the duration of the season, their bodies become living sacrifices.
In our community of believers, it is good to have reminders that we are all a part of the puzzle. We may not always understand why things move a certain way. Some make bigger sacrifices on the journey than others. Still, every person counts. Every single one matters to our Lord. It is why we are to go out and share His Word, His Truth and His Light, keeping step with The Spirit.
It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
Today, I am grateful for instructions to be a living sacrifice.
"As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you." -1 Peter 1:24-25
Some people are beautiful on the surface, but it goes no deeper. I prefer radiant beauty. It is the true beauty that comes from within. It can be missed by the casual observer. We sometimes have to pause to really see it, and we are often in a hurry.
Children have a knack for finding beauty. I love to watch them and try to learn from them.
This passage reminds us that the "word of the Lord remains forever." I need to stay focused on the eternal and not the fleeting. I am so easily distracted. I am reminded to be intentional in my observations of the world around me and to be confident that His Word remains forever. The beauty is that it never fades.
Today, I am grateful for reminders that beauty and flowers fade away.
Not every problem has a solution. There are times that how we critically think through a problem is more important than the actual solution. I like things to run smoothly.
When problems come, and they do, I like to think of myself as a creative problem solver. My Mama Ina Mae reminded me of this often. I miss those reminders. I miss her creative mind.
I was reminded today of that of the blessing of those who join us in problem solving. They are always blessings in our lives.
There is one problem with really only one solution. Keeping "The Law" perfectly is out of my skill set. I do my best to act in ways that honor my Lord (or at least not to shame Him). I fail... often... but He forgives. Grace really is a beautiful thing.
"John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. or the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” -John 1:15-17
Unfailing love. It never lets go of us. It was willing to pay my sin debt. Problem solved.
Claim it. Receive it. Celebrate it!
Today, I am grateful for problems solved.
The right equipment makes all the difference. In the marching band, in the kitchen, taking pictures, or on the sports field... the right equipment can be a game changer.
This scripture is great:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." -2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is God-breathed and useful. Whether you believe it or not, it is true. It is why you can spend a lifetime studying and reading His Word and still find something new. The "ah-ha" moments never end. Isn't that amazing?
When studying The Word, I like to have my tools for drawing, highlighting and making notes. A well scribbled in Bible is a well loved treasure to pass on to our children.
If you have a Bible readily available, be grateful. The Word is banned in some places. If you rely on a digital version, power and internet access can fail. The paper version never fails us.
One thing I love about the digital Bible is the easy cross-referencing. I remember how excited Mama was when she got her first "Strong's" study tool. Now, I understand her excitement. We will never exhaust what the word has to give. It is much easier to do the research in the digital form.
Today, I am grateful for the right equipment.
Oh my goodness!!! What a passage!!!
Why have I not memorized this one and added it to my "life verses" list. It embraces so much of what I love and how God speaks to me. He speaks so often through the psalms, the hymns of faith and songs my spirit loves to sing.
"singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." -Ephesians 5:19-20
My friend, Sally, who recently moved to her heavenly address left a wonderful playlist for her family and loved ones to enjoy. It means so much to listen to the songs that spoke to her heart. I smile when I come across the ones we shared. It was not uncommon for us to introduce the other to a particular passage or song that spoke to our souls. So many were "our songs". They make me smile. They choke me up, as the loss still feels fresh. Some take my breath away because they speak to the goodness of God, even when life has its trials.
One of the songs, "What Do I Know of Holy" by Addison Road is a song that has been around for quite a few years now. The lyrics still make me pause to ponder the greatness of our God. It helps me reconcile that my human mind has human limitations, but my soul breath came from Him.
Some songs, my soul seems to know. "Bless the Lord Oh my Soul (Ten Thousand Reasons)" is another one. It was on her list, too.
So many more... "Even If", "The Queen of Iowa", and "His Heart Beats" are a few more favorites.
When music brings a poem to life... or music gives a poem a heart... something happens. Something real. Something holy. Something more. In that moment, we are brought to His throne of mercy and grace.
"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Yes, this passage speaks to my soul.
Today, I am grateful for passages that speak to my soul.
This new cup was a gift from a dear friend. I love it. It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold. Really cold. If I put ice in it before bed, there is still ice in the morning. I love that little design feature.
Coffee, tea and cacao need to be hot, hot, hot! I like my water ice cold.
They say it is better to drink water at room temperature, but the temperature extremes make me happy. I am not a fan of lukewarm.
Apparently, God is not a fan of the lukewarm condition, either. The church at Laodicea looked great from the outside, but there was no passion.
"I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! " Revelation 3:15-16
Oh how easy complacency slips into the margins once reserved for the Holy! "I will spit you out" is a definite rejection.
Appearances can be deceiving. In Christ, we can know with confidence who we are and where we are going. That knowledge should keep us from growing lukewarm.
Today, I am grateful for cups that prevent my drinks from becoming lukewarm.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. -Proverbs 9:10
Many are find the concept of the "fear of the Lord" a bit uncomfortable. Another word you could place in there is "awe". Awe of the Lord is the beginning of understanding. There is such a thing as a healthy fear. It is, also, a sign of recognition of the greatness of God.
Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Does that make sense? As we attempt to wrap our minds around the Trinity or the attributes of God (sovereign, omnipotent & omnipresent), it is enough to make my head hurt.
It is beyond my full comprehension, but time in the Word opens doors of understanding. Pondering it all brings me to a place of peace and acceptance of His Greatness, even if I lack full understanding.
David used to try to capture the awesomeness of God, and Solomon tried to preserve Godly wisdom. We are blessed to have Psalms and Proverbs available to us every day. We can read them, memorize passages and etch His Word on our hearts.
Fear of the Lord is a where deeper understanding begins. When we tremble at His feet, grateful for the mercy granted and pray "Thy will be done.", we draw nearer to the heart of God.
Today, I am grateful for a sound foundation.
It has been a season of not always knowing what to say. The fear of "getting it wrong" leads us to sometimes saying nothing at all. Saying the wrong thing can equally damage relationships. It is good to pray for guidance before opening our mouths.
Yesterday morning, our friend Robert texted me a passage from Romans that included Romans 12:15. "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep." He had no idea the verse was a favorite of mine. He was simply starting our day in The Word.
More than 25 years ago, I read Og Mandino's "The World's Greatest Salesman" for the first time. He is one of my all time favorite authors. He weaves a story like few others. There is always something to be learned.
"The Ten Scrolls to Success" found in "The World's Greatest Salesman" includes "I will pray for guidance." It is scroll number ten. As we walk thorough our lives, there are good days and hard days. Praying for guidance gets us through. Praying for guidance can help us season our words with kindness, love, wisdom and encouragement.
This Proverb notes the beauty of saying the right thing at the right time:
Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! -Proverbs 29:23
We can pray our words will reflect His words. We can pray for guidance.
Today, I am grateful for the right word at the right time.
Does that sound a little crazy? Can we find gratitude in the middle of the trial?
"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." -1 Peter 4:12-13
There is an old gospel song called "The Family of God". The lyrics contain this gem, "Joint heirs with Jesus, as we travel this sod, I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God."
We feel like weary travelers at times. We are tired of the battles, the fight, the storms, and the plot twists. Do we pause in those moments to remember the sacrifice that insures our pardon, when we declare him as Lord? We face no fiery trial alone.
I do not wish for the trials, but I've served Him long enough to know the fiery trials He allows serve a purpose. They bring me to my knees in surrender so that my heart refocuses on Him. I remember what matters most.
Today, I am grateful for the fiery trials.
The book of Psalms is a favorite for most people. It is a combination of worship, poetry, song and deep insights into who God is. A good number were penned by David, who walked closely with God.
Some passages are like a cry from the heart. Others take a poetic look at the character of God. This verse stood out to me today.
"Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!" -Psalm 93:4
Think of what we know about the power of the waves. Water slapping the rock on a shoreline causes erosion over time. It can, also, smooth out the rock. Yes, the waves can be destructive, but they create a rhythm that is mesmerizing, too.
Something in the human soul is fascinated by the power and might of the sea. Wise men know they can't conquer it. Adventurous souls take to the water with excitement and caution.
With its many shades of blues and greens, we can't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe when we approach the sea. At the shore, we cannot deny His majesty. Nature sings!
Today, I am grateful for reminders of His power and might.
"May you live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life." -Max Lucado
This journey here is temporary. Like the 9 months we spend in the womb, with no idea of the wonders of the outside world, we have no knowledge of heaven. We can read about it, but we have no idea what lies ahead.
"Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” -John 18:36
There is so much promise in Jesus's words. There is wonder and hope.
Today, I am grateful death is just the beginning.
I love how this woman, Tabitha (Dorcas), is described. In one small verse, you start to feel like you know her.
" In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor." -Acts 9:36
Her death sent a ripple through the faith community. Her life of service was well known. The loss was felt by the entire community.
When her heartbeat was restored, her life became a testimony to the resurrection power of the living Lord.
Not everyone gets an earthly resurrection to serve a little longer, but everyone makes their own choices about how they live with the days they are granted. Tabitha is inspiring. Wouldn't it be good to be remembered for doing good things and helping those in need?
Today, I am grateful for examples of good deeds and charity.
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When we purchased our home - knowing we would raise our children here- we knew we wanted a fireplace. The Love of my Life loves Christmas, maybe more than the kids.
A fireplace created the warmth we wanted in our family room. We were blessed to find one in our price range. We used it all winter long. There is something special about the first fire in the fireplace.
Fire is essential for life. We use it to cook food safely and to keep warm. We cannot ignore the magnitude of the gift of fire. Electricity can and will fail. Fire can be dangerous, but we can lasso it for good.
This scripture is from the night Jesus was taken into custody before his crucifixion. Peter was not himself. He was upset. He was probably scared. We know he was cold.
"It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself." -John 18:18
Standing around a fire, warming ourselves has been comforting for millennia. I am grateful we can bring it safely indoors to take the chill off the night.
Today, I am grateful for the first fire of the season.
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! -1 Chronicles 29:14-16
In the light of God's greatness, we feel our smallness. Still, we are each gifted with a certain number of days, and the responsibility to make each moment count. That gift is unique and precious for each of us. We were put here for a relationship with Him. He designed us for that relationship and gave us each other for the journey.
We are only here for a moment. It is true. How will we spend our days? This week, there were some amazing, rare moments. Holding a newborn is the gift of holding a miracle in your arms. Time with old friends. Birthdays (they only come once a year). Time with extended family (that wasn't for a funeral). Laughter. Chocolate. A few nuts. Dog kisses. A handsome guy just a few feet away who I would choose all over again to be my partner on this journey.
Savor the sweet ones, and let the hard ones keep your heart tender. Live gratefully.
Today, I am grateful for moments.
“How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!" -2 Samuel 7:22
I am not sure we can fully understand his greatness or grasp the fullness of His Sovereignty.
I can recognize it with my mouth, but do I grasp it in my heart? I keep trying. I do know that there is a freedom that comes from trusting His Sovereignty that brings rest and restoration.
I am not qualified to run the universe. He holds it in the palm of His hand.
My plans are far from perfect. His never fail.
He is far greater than my imagination.
He is who He claims to be.
Today, I am grateful for His Sovereignty.
Harvest is always exciting for those of us who come from farm roots. In my lifetime, I have seen so many advancements in the machines and tools used to plant and then to harvest. The inside of a combine... the cockpit as I call it... is more complicated than some airplanes. I would have no idea how to run one. They are kind of amazing!
This time of year, everyone on the farm is running full throttle. At the grain elevators, too. People are tired. Tiredness can lead to dangerous situations. Today, I am thankful for the rain that will force some to rest and restore before they head back out.
When a full harvest is before you and the rain is coming down, it can be stressful. October is slipping away. The pressure feels real. Rain brings about a pause in the push to get the crop in.
I love that Jesus used to remind the disciples to rest. He, himself, would go into wilderness places for a chance to take a deep breath from the demands of those around him. Perhaps, a good rain meant they would rest a little longer in the home of a friend and eat another warm meal.
Don't fret the rain. Choose rest when it is granted. This verse is a comfort on so many levels.
Some carry the pressures of harvest. Others feel the weight of the loss of a spouse, a parent, a sibling or a dear friend. A new baby, as precious as they are, keep us from resting. In all of these seasons... we can hand our burdens to the one who has the strength to carry them. He will give us rest.
"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28
The rain continues to fall gently on the window, the patio and pavement. We whisper a prayer of surrender. Surrender to His will, His way and lean into His sheltering arms.
My brother, Matt, lost one of his best friends in a farm accident this time of year several years ago. Vaughn was one of a kind. Vaughn was famous for saying, "It'll be alright."
Tonight, as listen to the rhythm of the rain, I can almost hear it singing, "It'll be alright." Take the opportunity to rest when it comes.
Today, I am grateful when rain brings rest.
Most of us want to be "heard". When we speak, we hope someone listens. I remember the days of toddlers all around. They have very selective hearing at times. Don't we all?
This passage is dear to my heart. Many years ago, a student wore it on his T-shirt:
"In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." -Jeremiah 29:12-13
I commented, "I really like your shirt." He replied, "Mrs. Smith, everyone loves Jeremiah 29:11, but it is really about verses 12 and 13."
I love learning from kids. This particular student had been through some tough stuff at a young age. Big grief and big loss. Still, he found his hope in The One who keeps his promises.
From that moment on, I kept the three verses linked together in my memory. Our God does plans for us, but we must seek Him with our whole heart. He hears our prayers and makes his presence known.
"You will find me." Such a beautiful promise.
Today, I am grateful for a listening ear.
Today, I am grateful for the test and the mess.
A person can have a sickly body and a well soul. Praise God for this truth! We can choose it daily. Many of us have health issues we live with daily that are beyond our control.
It is easy to let the health of our physical bodies interrupt and consume our mental health. Pain and suffering are not pleasant. We don't typically choose them. Still, in the valleys associated with suffering, we find a very real God waiting for us.
"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation." -Psalm 62:1
In the silence, he is present. In His strength, we find enough to sustain the day, whatever "enough" is. Whatever we need, He provides, but we must learn to wait.
Patience is a virtue. Patience isn't always easy, but the practice of patience is a powerful response to stress, trials, suffering and even loss. We are reminded of the source or our strength:
"So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them. " -Hebrews 13:9
We can lean into His grace for strength … and there our souls wait.
Today, I am grateful my soul waits.
Theology can make my head hurt. I have to read C.S. Lewis in small bites, and then I chew on it. My understanding is limited at times by my earth vision. I don't have God-goggles.
I often pray, "Lord help me to see what you want me to see and to do what you want me to do." but then I fall into making my own plans. I, shamefully, get frustrated when my plans are interrupted. In my frustration, it is easy to miss the "Holy Appointments" God has planned for our days.
This scripture brings me direction and comfort:
You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. - Proverb 19:21
One of the big ideas in theology most wrestle with is the sovereignty of God. My friend, Kristin, sent me a quote I have never forgotten. "You might have a better idea, but you don't have a universe." Humbling, right?
Have you ever played Jenga? It is a game with a tower of wood. You pull out blocks and stack them on top. The game is over, when the tower gets too unbalanced and falls. Is there a lesson in that game?
The universe has many moving people and pieces. So many souls that need saving. We were given choices and free will. All things working together, according to "His purpose", does not mean our ways do not get in His way. Oh, the little plot twists we take in life. Some intentional and others by accident. Evil roams the earth and other things get in our way. It is all complicated, right?
One thing I know for sure. It is His desire that we find our way back to Him. He came, lived, preached, suffered and died so that we could be redeemed. He paid the price. Paid in full! He doesn't want us to hold out until we miss out.
Today, I am grateful His purpose prevails.
My cousin, Marj, shared this image about 10 years ago. In a minute I am swept back to the days of spending nights at Grandpa and Grandma Lindgren's with the cousins we won when Grandpa married Grandma. Marji and I are singing. Apparently, April and Candace were supposed to be applauding our efforts.
That room, the furniture and the company bring back so many memories. The images are priceless. I remember the dresses April and I wore. I believe Mama made them. They were so soft.
Grandma's printing on the photo is an additional gift in the image. How many recipes are in Mama's recipe box in Grandma Marge's handwriting? Quite a few, I am sure.
Don't forget to pause and take the picture. We never know when it will become a priceless treasure. Print it out. Identify the people and the reason gathered. Even ordinary days... especially ordinary days... are worth capturing. April has been gone for 27 years. She only spent just short of 28 years on this earth. Time flies by so fast.
As we remember her 55th birthday, I am so grateful for pictures like this one. Seasons of matching dresses (that we didn't always appreciate at the time) and sleepovers with cousins. Life was simple and sweet. We don't remember much of what we said or did, but we remember the love.
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." -1 Corinthians 13:13
Today, I am grateful an image can take us back in time.
I have developed some tech skills over the years. (Some of you are laughing, others have witnessed my growth.) When technology locks up, we feel helpless. It happens on occasion.
I have to say, I have some of the best tech help on my teams at home and at work, but I love the feeling of figuring things out on my own. So many times, the best solution is "restart". Power down. Power up.
A quick restart can make all the difference! So simple, right?
Hurricane Ian left many without power. No power is stressful. Food is so expensive and if the power is out long, food thaws and spoils. Those who have generators are blessed. Power is not just a convenience, we rely on it for many things.
We rarely lose power in our 1970's neighborhood. Most of the power lines are buried. When we do, it can take a little while for them to find and remedy the problem. A little patch of grass between the neighbors garage and ours has of seen orange power cords stretched between Jim and Susie garage and ours, more than once over the years. When the power is going to be out for an extended period, they always share their generator so we can power up our fridge and a few lights, too. Yes, we have the best neighbors and neighborhood.
The space between our garage and the Ackerman's is not terribly wide. It was the perfect play space when our children were little. The small grassy space was perfect for soccer and other "reindeer games" (as I called them to borrow from Rudolph). We treated it as a "community" space. To this day, when Randy and Jim mow the grass - they often do that shared spot so the other person doesn't feel pressured to mow if it is inconvenient. (We do like things neat and tidy in the hood.) It might sound silly to some, but it is a reciprocated kindness both men and wives appreciate.
Power cords stretched across the grass might not add to the curbside appeal, but they are a wondrous sight when you realize the power isn't coming on any time soon.
Today, my verse of the day took me to the book of Acts. The people who encountered the risen Jesus and the ones who trusted those who told them the Good News, felt they were living in uncertain times. They knew Jesus had returned to Heaven. They had lost their power source.
But, Jesus promised he would not leave them orphans. On the day of Pentecost - they powered up! He keeps his promises.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:8
