A Power Shot of Kindness

 

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 59: Today, I am grateful for a power shot of kindness.

"One kind word can change someone's day." 

And, it costs nothing. Maybe a moment or two of our time, but nothing more. Yet, the value is priceless. The smallest kindness can breathe light, life and home into someone's bad day. 

We never know what another person is going through. They might look fine on the surface, but they may be carrying a heavy and unexpected burden. Choose kindness. 

For some, to be demanding and angry is where they seek to find power. The paradox is that there is more power in kindness. 

What attracts your eye and captures your heart? Kindness. 

Don't give up. Don't give in. Tomorrow brings new opportunities. This passage reminds us of the richness of his mercy and grace. 

"He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." -Ephesians 1:7 

 We long for an easy path, but somehow, in the middle of the plot twists in our days, we experience that power shot of kindness. 

Today, I am grateful for a power shot of kindness.

Sunshine

 Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 58: Today, I am grateful for sunshine!

"to him who made the great lights,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;" -Psalm 136:7-9

As winter winds down, it is amazing to have sunny days. 

I love getting into a car warmed by the sun when the temperatures are still cool. 

I love to pause and let the warmth envelope me. 

The first sunny days are some of the sweetest. 

Today, I am grateful for sunshine!

Miss Clara's Fight Club

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 57: Today, I am grateful for Miss Clara's Fight Club.

There are some movies I should have never wasted my limited heartbeats watching. There are others, like "War Room", I should watch often. The medium used to provide the message does a great job. 

Miss Clara Williams is a show stealer. She does not have the most lines, but her character is at the heart of the movie. The influence of prayer warriors like Miss Clara will echo into eternity. She is a fictional, but let us be grateful for the "Miss Clara's" who cross our paths in different seasons of life. 

"I learned how to fight... in prayer first." - Miss Clara

Exodus 14:14 keeps coming up in my life. From a couple of friends who are warrioring their way through cancer... and in a recent Sunday morning worship time. What does it say? 

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” -Exodus 14:14 

I am claiming this as a "Life Verse" for the year. One to be memorized, eternalized and lived with intentionally. While we are still, we can pray. 

Inhale. Fill our lungs with fresh air. Exhale calm. 
Inhale. Let His Holy Spirit be our breath. Exhale comfort. 
Inhale. Experience the very knowledge of His very real nearness. Exhale confidence.  

Miss Clara's Fight Club  is unexpected for those who are unfamiliar with His Word. 

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." -Matthew 6:6

Where do you do find yourself lost in prayer? That is your prayer place. Post-it notes are wonderful for creating prayer lists. It is good to be intentional about marking prayers as "answered" or "in progress". You can even mark prayers as "God only knows"... but  that is no reason to not record the prayer. There are surprise answers and prayers uniquely answered in a way only God could do.  

Miss Clara's Fight Club is open to new members 24/7. He is never bored or bothered by those who seek His face with a sincere heart. 

Today, I am grateful for Miss Clara's Fight Club.

Saturdays

 Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 56: Today, I am grateful for Saturdays. 

It is a pause. It is the day we get to take a deep breath and catch up. There are appointments and other things that fill the day, but they are not the same as a regular weekday... or even a Sunday. 

On Saturday morning, there is still quite a bit of weekend ahead. 

They say in retirement your days run together. I cannot even imagine it.  

Saturday was the day between the crucifixion of Jesus and Resurrection Sunday. It was a terrifying day... a sad day... a day to try and figure out what it all meant. It was a day of self examination and decision. 

And in a blink... it is Sunday. 

Today, I am grateful for Saturdays.

A Favorite Comb

 Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 55: Today, I am grateful for my favorite comb.

If you have hair... you have one.... a favorite comb. Mine has special teeth to help me manage my curls when my hair is wet. It is one of those items in my morning routine that provides comfort with its familiarity. 

Combing your hair helps you to not look like a mess. I remember Mama Ina Mae saying that we had to take care of our hair. Comb it or cut it. Those were the options. 

I have so many memories of combing my sister's long hair. (The longest I ever managed to grow my hair out was  to my shoulders when I was a freshman in high school.) April had long hair most of her teen years. I would braid it and style it for her. Those were well spent hours. 

There is a scripture that reminds those who are fasting to comb their hair. Fasting is between you and God. Not for show or to impress other humans. 

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." -Matthew 6:16-18

The Father sees everything. He even knows our favorite comb. 

Today, I am grateful for my favorite comb.

Verse 13

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 54: Today, I am grateful for verse 13.

Most people know this passage:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." -Jeremiah 29:11-13

It hangs on the walls of many homes. It is often quoted... at least the first half. 

This verse is special to me because a student taught me to read beyond 29:11. He said, "Mrs. Smith, everyone loves to quote Jeremiah 29:11, but 29:11 is nothing without verse 13. 

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

We have to seek Him with our whole hearts. 

We must have undivided hearts that can focus on Him without distractions from cell phones, computers, text messages, and so much more. We must choose to seek Him out. 

It is a simple lesson, but not always easy. 

Today, I am grateful for verse 13.

Survival Lessons

 Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 53: Today, I am grateful for survival lessons.

Wise instruction helps us get through hard things and difficult seasons. We were never promised the journey here would be fair or easy. It is wise to heed good instruction and to be situationally aware. Survival lessons help us know how to manage when tough times come. 

This passage grabs my attention:

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves." -Matthew 10:16 NLT

Be shrewd and gentle. They seem as if they do not go together... but they do. They compliment each other well. Safety is increased when we consider the dangers and are aware of the wolves.

Today, I am grateful for survival lessons.

Perfect Love Drives Out Fear

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 52: Today, I am grateful perfect love drives out fear. 

It really does. When love fills a space, fear has no place. It is driven out.

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." -1 John 4:18

What a way to live. Be intentional. 

Courage over fear. Love over fear. 

Today, I am grateful perfect love drives out fear. 

Love Prospers Where There Is Forgiveness

 Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 51: Today, I am grateful love prospers where there is forgiveness. 

Proverbs is full of relationship advice. Anyone who reads Proverbs will find some of best guideline for living every written. Anyone who reads it will find something of value. 

A great challenge for March might be to read one chapter in Proverbs a day. 31 chapters for 31 Days. I think it is impossible to read it and not gain some wisdom for daily living. Some if it is common sense. Other verses will make you pause and ponder. 

Unforgiveness is giving someone else free rent in your head. Intentional forgiveness mends hearts and helps people heal. 

"Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends." -Proverbs 17:9

Forgive and be free of the burden. Don't dwell on the mistakes of the past. Look to the future with clearer vision. 

The Matthew West song, "Forgiveness" tells how forgiveness frees the one who has been hurt as much as the one receiving forgiveness. It's a great story.

Today, I am grateful love prospers where there is forgiveness. 

Commitment

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 50: Today, I am grateful for commitment.

We live in a world where real commitments are more infrequent. There is more boldness, more impulsiveness, more deception, more self-focus, and more chasing that elusive thing called happiness. The crazy thing is, those things do not bring peace and contentment.

They are cups that leak . They are never full and they drain the joy out of our days.

"Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest." -Max Lucado

Max is a smart guy. He knows that it matters to what and to whom we commit our days. When we are intentional in our relationships with others... and with God... it changes everything. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are like an ambrosia salad. Each ingredient is delightful on its own, but when they come together they make something truly special.

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness," -Galatians 5:55

If we commit our days to these things, all of our other commitments fall into place. We are not given instructions to make us "behave." We are given guidelines for living to set us free!

Today, I am grateful for commitment.

Meaning from Chaos

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 49: Today, I am grateful He can bring meaning from chaos.

I like order much better than chaos. Most of us do. No one expects this life to be perfect, but there are times the crazy feels out of control.

Being able to trust a God who is bigger than the chaos is a place where we can find peace and rest.

This Psalm offers some simple reassurance.

"The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth." -Psalm 11:2-4

He is not absent from the chaos. He watches. He waits. He examines. He moves. He loves. He longs for restoration. Sometimes, our vantage point makes understanding impossible. We don't see what He sees or know what He knows. Faith really does come down to "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. " He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Today, I am grateful He can bring meaning from chaos.

Turn It Around

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 48: Today, I am grateful our God can "turn it around."

Life gets messy. It hurts. We cry. Perhaps... we even question if God really cares.

Trust me, my friend, He can turn it around. We can't. And, He does care. Enough to die for us so the grave cannot hold us. The mess isn't forever. The place prepared for us is.

Jon Reddick has a song, "God, Turn It Around" (with Matt Maher). Keep reaching up. Hold on to hope! Let His grace and mercy fill your soul and flood out the darkness with light. He's up to something, even when it doesn't make sense from our current view. We do not have God's eyes.

Hold on brothers and sisters. Be encouraged. Be intentional. Look for the little bits of light.

He is never early... but He is never late!

Today, I am grateful our God can "turn it around."

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 47: Today, I am grateful for flowers in the winter.

The Love of my Life knows I love fresh flowers. They are even sweeter on the winter. This was a Valentines Day bouquet. The house smells like spring.

It won’t be long and the bravest blossoms will break through the winter’s crust on the soil. I can’t wait.

“Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!” -Isaiah 35:2a

Today, I am grateful for flowers in the winter.

Leftovers

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 46: Today, I am grateful for leftovers.

We celebrate leftovers at our house. It means we have lunch plans for the next day or the opportunity to split them and repeat the meal we prefer. Divide and dish it up. It is how we manage leftovers. 

I've never understood people not eating leftovers. As an adult, it has been a new challenge to turn leftovers into something better the second time around. 

Leftover chili turns into chili mac. Leftover rotisserie chicken turns into chicken and noodles. Left over taco meat has a plethora of chances for upcycling from nachos to  taco salad. 

I've often thought that  Jesus chose from some of the "leftovers" in the crowd. Zacchaeus and Matthew...  they were not fan favorites. Saul was arrogant, annoying and constantly causing trouble. I have a feeling his friend pack was thin before he had his change of heart after encountering Jesus. James and John were called the "Sons of Thunder." Not bad guys, but probably caused people to roll their eyes as they rumbled through their hometown. 

Each of us has our flaws. Jesus sees past them. He loves us and sees our potential and not our past failings or personality quirks. None of us is a "leftover" in His eyes. We are chosen and beloved. 

“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations." -Matthew 12:18

Chosen. Beloved. Society's leftovers but treasured by The King.

Today, I am grateful for leftovers.

My Forever Valentine

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 45: Today, I am grateful for my  forever Valentine. 

How can it be? 38 Valentine's Days together. It seems like a blink. The blessing of another year to laugh, love and learn is to precious to take for granted. 

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”- John 38:34-35

Today, I am grateful for my  forever Valentine. 

Love Does

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 44: Today, I am grateful love does.

"Love Does" is  a great book by Bob Goff. It has been around quite a few years now, but it is still a favorite. My sweet friend, Donna, went with me to see him when he came to Peoria. We had a great night of laughing and listening. 

This quote from the book is a beautiful reminder that acts of love do not have to be complicated. The invitation to be intentionally present in our relationships helps love to flourish. 

It is the cup of coffee delivered with a morning kiss. It is little reminders on post-it notes and funny texts throughout the day. It is the purr of a cat snuggled up in your lap and wet kisses from the family dog. It is handing over the remote and not complaining. These little acts are love in motion.  

" 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 

Look for the little things that say, "I love you." Savor the moments. 

Today, I am grateful love does.

Super Bowl Sunday

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 43: Today, I am grateful for Super Bowl Sunday! 

I don't really have a dog in the fight as the saying goes... but I lean into Kansas Sports when Illinois is disappointing.  I've seen some great personal things on both teams. My forever friend, Susan, is for the Chiefs... living in Kansas. Our friend, Wesley, has been such a loyal Eagles fan from childhood, that I am excited for him to see his team at the Big Game. I've seen some impressive stuff on both quarterbacks. Let character and integrity rule the day! 

Honestly, it is a Leander/Smith family tradition that goes back to when our kids were little and we have continued it for more than 30 years. Diana Janda... your "Clam Chowder" recipe is still a fan favorite - even with the second generation... and the third.  

Jill always made "Super Bowl" dip... and we still love it  and have it at most Super Bowls.  Todd and Sarah always bring something yummy. The kids play. The ladies are interested in the music and commercials. It is an evening of making memories. It seems not that long ago our Emma was holding her newborn cousin, Milo, and now... he is three and we added a GIRL (Nora Clair) to Ryan and Anna's crew four months ago! How does it happen???  

Tonight, Elias, Jude, Isaiah and Milo will run in and out of the room for parental input on boy negotiation the same way Ryan, Chase, Blake and Walker did so many years ago. 

I am very aware that every season of life is unique and precious. We are savoring the adult children season that is carefree. We get to love Ryan and Anna's littles and watch them grow. For us, Super Bowl Sunday is the family God gave us when he moved us here. Not all of it, but many. 

It is a reminder of God's grace and healing in the gift of Sarah. It is a reminder that in the big wins and the big losses - we have each other. 

Today - many will embrace Romans 12:15 (All of you will have that verse memorized with me.)

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. -Romans 12:15

Let love cover a multitude of bad food choices... bad calls (everyone is human)... and poor parenting caused by eyes glued to the game.

Funny note: The day after the Super Bowl was always a day of absences and high visits to the health office for my junior high students. I learned to ask - "Did you watch the Super Bowl? Were you up late? Did you make some poor food choices?"  

Enjoy the family,  the friends and the game. 

Today, I am grateful for Super Bowl Sunday! 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 42: Today, I am grateful for a word picture of "love." 

Many know this passage and can recite parts of it. 1 Corinthians 13 is used for weddings and other moments when "love" is the main theme. 

Imagine what this description of "love"  looks like in real life. 

"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

I imagine an elderly couple holding hands. I see the grandparents patiently waiting on a toddler when the parents are tired and frustrated. 

I see the one who credits others on a team, sharing any accolades. I see a young mother reading the same book for the 100th time... this week.  I see the starting player ask the coach for bench time to let a teammate see some game time. 

I see the  young father who lets the little ones "help" and doubling the time it takes to do a project. Love has so many different faces and each one is precious. 

I see the bag of cookies that arrives at birthdays and just because from the best cookie baker in the neighborhood... because it is a way of showing love. 

I see the people who truly see other people. Seeing their hurts and their happy moments. 

 Today, I am grateful for a word picture of "love." 

Encouragement

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 41: Today, I am grateful for encouragement. 

"... Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." -Ephesians 4:29

I love word study, or tearing a word apart to understand it better.
I did that today with a friend.

Dig into the word "encouragement" and find the treasures. It is not flippant to encourage each other. It is an intentional act of building another person up. 

"En"... to cover like a shield or pour into.

"Courage" - we know what courage is when we see it. We forget it is not something most people seek out. Courage, often,  happens when it is the only viable option. Watch a mother stand up to a threat when her child is threatened. She doesn't sign up for a course in courage... she stands up to the threat. 

"...ment" at the end of a word makes it a noun, but it can also imply action. 

"Encouragement" is found 11 times in the ESV version of the bible. and 17 times in the NLT. 

"Encourage" is even more frequent. I did not have time to take a dive into the Greek and Hebrew roots. "Encouragement" is more prevalent in the New Testament. That makes it worth putting on my "words to study" list. 

"Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other." -Romans 15:32

So much help and  hope in this verse. Savor it. Live it. Breathe it. So grateful I had a chance to unpack it with a friend today. <3 

Today, I am grateful for encouragement. 

Who's Driving?

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 40: Today, I am grateful we can choose who's driving. 

"Who's driving the boat?" or "Who's driving the bus?" These are common idioms that are really asking who is in charge. Even now, it makes me smile. 

Sometimes, it is simply helpful to know who is really in charge! 

There is often a battle in our heads, too. 

"Most of our decisions are driven by either love or fear. Figure out who's doing the talking, then decide what you'll do." -Bob Goff 

Are we driven by fear or by love? Love is so much better than fear. 

There is a time and a place for fear. It helps keep us safe. It helps avoid getting burned by a fire or a hot stove. Fear is not always the enemy, but it is rarely a good friend. 

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." -1 John 4:18

I adore this passage. It sums it all up in a neat and tidy way. Perfect love sends fear packing. Fear wants to control us and steal our joy. Love wants us to live, laugh, and love. 

Today, I am grateful we can choose who's driving. 

We Can Be Present

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 39: Today, I am grateful we can choose to be fully present. 

English has some words that fascinate me for their multiple meanings. A present is a gift. We can, also, choose to BE present, which means fully engaged. I find it interesting that one of the best presents  we can give someone is to simply be present. 

Oh those devices that rule our lives. I have them, too. I try hard to set them aside when loved ones are around. We try to be intentional at family meals to not be on our phones. We are inquisitive people and often have questions that come up in our conversations. We do our best to not resort to looking up the answer on the internet. The struggle is real when the answer is near. 

We eventually give someone "permission" to look it up. Our efforts are sincere, but it is hard to  not reach for the answer. The struggle is  real. Time on our devices takes us away from whoever is actually with us. Again... I struggle, too. 

Do you know people who are extraordinary at being fully present? 

This Bob Goff quote is perfect: "We're good at being in close proximity to people. We are bad at being present." 

The presents we give can be costly. The act of being present costs us nothing but time. 

People were drawn to Jesus. "Yeshua." It is the name he was called by his family and friends. I've said before that there is something about that name. It wraps you in calmness and warmth. Say it again... "Yeshua." 

We are called to: "Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep." -Romans 12:15

We are called to be present. 

Today, I am grateful we can choose to be fully present. 

A Clean Face

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 38: Today, I am grateful for a clean face.

Another first... I don't think I have every thought of giving thanks for a clean face. Doesn't it feel good to wash away the day? Not just the make up, but everything else that collects on our face throughout the day. 

It is easy to skip that night time routine, but I know I sleep better when I don't. Perhaps it is as much about the ritual as the cleanliness. 

Kind of like that first cup of something warm in the morning, a clean face ends the day with a different kind of "ahhh" feeling. 

This scripture captures the moment a leper comes to Jesus for healing. I love what the man says. As a leper, he is an outcast. He is desperate for a healing touch, but he does not demand it. He asks with humility.

“Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” -Luke 5:12

I love the faith reflected in this man's words. He essentially says, "Thy will be done." And then the leper was healed. I cannot imagine his joy! 

I can imagine the joy that comes from washing away the day. 

Today, I am grateful for a clean face.

A Seed of Fear

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 37: Today, I am grateful for a seed of fear.

You are likely thinking I have lost my mind. Fear is from the enemy, right? It is. But, this is what only our God can do. He takes a seed that was meant to destroy our peace and calm, and from it sprouts acts of faith. 

"At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear. For great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation." - Max Lucado 

Fear is often what brings us to the place of seeking His face. Now, it would be better if we were more naturally inclined to seek Him first, but we humans like to be independent. We think we can manage everything on our own. For a time, we may have some success, but no fulfillment. 

Our souls were designed for a relationship with Him. He is our missing piece and our missing piece. 

The greatest acts of courage and faith often come when fear is recognized but not allowed to be the dominant force in our lives. The natural fear responses we are taught are "fight and flight". Psychology, in my opinion, missed one. There is, also,  the "firmly rooted" response. 

Have you ever seen a stare down between animals... or humans and animals? There are times when the potential prey stands firm and holds their ground, and for some reason, the predator leaves. I can't say I can completely understand or explain it, but it is fascinating to watch. 

When there is faith, fear does not win. 

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." -Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

Today, I am grateful for a seed of fear... that causes faith to take root. 

The Song "My Jesus"

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 36: Today, I am grateful for the song, "My Jesus". 

My Jesus by Anne Wilson has been my "right song and the right time" all week... then it was a worship song this morning. There are seasons when a song wraps us up in truth, grace and mercy. It is that kind of song. 

(Song excerpt) "He makes the way where there ain't no way. Rises up from an empty grave. Ain't no sinner that he can't save... Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus. "

A multi-chapter read through Genesis today was a reminder that God's specialty is making good from our messes. The Bible is full of imperfect people. Chapter after chapter, we find those who were wronged by the ones who should have been loving, honoring and protecting them. So often, we try to run ahead of God instead of patiently waiting on His plan to unfold... especially when we are scared or hurting. 

(Song excerpt) "Who can wipe away the tears? From broken dreams and wasted years And tell the past to disappear? Oh Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus!" 

Our hearts can rest in the truth that he does not abandon His children. Even when life hurts. When we don't understand his ways... we can always trust His heart. 

"For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth."-Psalm 33:4-5

(Song excerpt) "Let my Jesus change your life!"

Today, I am grateful for the song, "My Jesus". 

Library Cards

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 35: Today, I am grateful for library cards.

Libraries are a precious resource. Mankind has long understood the power of the written word. Public libraries are a treasure. The avenue for borrowing books is a library card.  

I have been thankful for libraries, but I am not sure I have ever chosen gratitude for the library card that makes it all accessible to the common person. 

I loved this colorful reminder of the cards we used to check out our books. You could look and see who had read the book before you. Even then, you had to produce your library card . 

Once upon a time, books were mostly in the hands of the wealthy and the elite. When more people were able to own a Bible with the invention of the printing press, reading from it was a shared family activity in many homes. For some, it was the only book in the house. Some churches had libraries from which books could be borrowed, but it was a private circle. 

Ben Franklin was instrumental in starting one of the first pubic libraries where patrons could sign out books. Such a simple thing, but it is really a big thing. 

Today, we use a library card to check out books from our public libraries - even if we use the library's digital resources. This scripture comes to mind:

"Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written."-John 21:25

Some books were never written, but for the ones that are... we have library cards. 

Today, I am grateful for library cards.

My Guy

 Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 34: Today, I am grateful for My Guy. 

This is one of those posts I need to do once a year. He doesn't love the attention, but today is the celebration of his arrival on the planet. How can I not pause to count the many blessings he brings to my world?

Chase, Walker, Emma and I are so blessed to call him "ours."  He would do anything we asked of him... okay, there are some foods he won't eat... but no task is too big or too small if it needs to be done. 

I love to listen to him work. He is ridiculously good at customer service and is a natural problem solver. 

I love it that we often think the same thoughts... and know what the other is thinking if we differ. We don't fight because he taught me a long time ago he is always right (and I let him think that is true). 

We are both a little bit broken in just the right ways so we fit together. We think in song lyrics at times and  have full conversations with them. 

He is selfless and devoted. He protects my heart. I adore this man. 

"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her" - Ephesians 5:25

This is how he loves. I am one blessed woman. 

Today, I am grateful for My Guy. 

Coats

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 33: Today, I am grateful for coats.

It has been really cold this week, but today the sun was shining bright. The cold is so much more manageable with the sun. 

This week, our coats were not just a way to keep comfortable - they were a necessity. The temperatures were so low but by God's grace, we didn't have big winds to fight. That, too, made the cold more bearable. 

I am famous for holding on to coats too long. They are not something I enjoy shopping for or buying. I don't love wearing them, but the Midwest winters require them. Still, I will choose gratitude for the blessing of my coat. 

I have noticed that the winter days are more bearable when we are properly dressed. This image cracked me up.  

A coat shared is a special gift when the weather takes you by surprise. In Bible times, they would take someone's cloak as security on a loan, but they would return it for the cold of the night. Isn't that interesting? 

"If you take your neighbor’s cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset. This coat may be the only blanket your neighbor has. How can a person sleep without it? " -Exodus 22:26-27

Whether you enjoy them or not, coats are a blessing. 

Today, I am grateful for coats.

Resilience

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 32: Today, I am grateful for resilience.

There is such a message in this quote: 

"Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. " 

Some days it is all we can do to put our feet on the floor to get up and go. Do it anyway. 

Pushing through the hard stuff builds resilience, just like resistance training builds strength. It is hard. It hurts. You get tired. Do it anyway. You grow stronger every day. 

There are times the struggle is not our enemy, but our teacher. Refocus and press on. 

"The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." -Psalm 121:8

Today, I am grateful for resilience.