Warm Morning Beverage

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 304- Today, I am grateful for a warm beverage in the morning. 

There is nothing like a warm beverage to warm us from the inside out. Coffee (decaf with cream), tea (herbal), cocoa, cacao (Choffy Volt Dark is my favorite), wassail, and hot cider are just a few of the warm beverages that I love to sip and savor. 

For me, 365 days a year... mornings require a warm beverage. It is comfort and joy. It kick starts the day... even though I avoid caffeine. It is about the ritual of my hands wrapped around a warm mug of goodness that I need to start the day off on the right foot. 

Chase and Emma gave me my first bag of Cacao for Mother's Day in 2022. It is brewed in a French Press and offers that dark chocolate flavor with very few calories... not to mention its many health benefits. 

"Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." -James 2:15-17

A warm beverage is wonderful. One shared with a loved one or friend is even better. 

Today, I am grateful for a warm beverage in the morning.

A Good Book

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 303- Today, I am grateful for a good book. 

I have several books going right now. I have one I am reading for work and one for pure pleasure. And, the Bible is a daily read, as it helps make everything else make sense. I love a good book. 

I can barely imagine a time when books were not readily available, but the modern printing press is relatively new. Between the 1830's and the 1930's the advancements in technology changed the availability of books to the common man. Pocket Books was one of the early publishers that brought adventure,  mystery and romance to the general consumer. Can you even imagine it? 

From Bronte and Shakespeare to Agatha Christie, paperback books made literature available to so many more people. Surely, it encouraged people to read more and read better. 

It is noted that Abraham Lincoln was well versed in the "The Bible." A family Bible was likely one of the few books in many homes. Reading it again and again would be natural for those who enjoyed reading. 

One of my favorite scriptures talks about the books that were never written:

 "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

I am grateful for books written... and those yet to be penned. 

Today, I am grateful for a good book. 

Baptism

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 302- Today, I am grateful for baptism. 

It is an outward expression of a decision to walk in faith and with a commitment to chase the heart of Jesus. A symbol of dying to self and being raised up to new life. 

My cousin Angie and I always choke up at baptisms. We can't help it. Every soul is precious. Some have had so many hurts, disappointments, and regrets... yet by his redeeming love and grace... they have found their way home. Some souls are so  young and tender as they declare their confession of faith... wise beyond their years. Others have discovered a difference between religion and relationship and renew their baptism with a new understanding. The scriptures tell us that heaven rejoices. 

My Sister-in-Loves... Lola & Sheryl... were both baptized today. What glorious news. Oh, these are the days I really miss my Mother-in-Love, Shela. It would have been one of the best days of her life. It is all she really ever desired in life... for "her children to walk in truth." 

"I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father." -2 John 4

These are the days I wish we all lived closer... it would have brought such joy to be with them on their special 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

Whomever we make the Lord of our lives will also be our Master. We must choose wisely. The days ahead are not promised to be easy, but we are promised victory. He already paid the price. He paid our fees. 

Then, when our worn out bodies are laid to rest and we are transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” -1 Corinthians 15:54-55

Today, I am grateful for baptism. 

Soup Season

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 301- Today, I am grateful for soup season.

Oh, how I love soup season. We eat soup all year long, although I am a much bigger fan than the Love of my Life. Now, my little brother and I are kindred spirits. We both love good soup. 

Mama had some soups she liked to make. Dad always wanted turkey soup after Thanksgiving. I think ham and bean soup was one of my favorites. 

In our house, chili is always welcome. My sister-in-love, Billie, taught me to make Red Beans and Rice the year she and Bruce came for Thanksgiving from Mississippi. I think it might be the #1 choice in our house.  It does take some time to make... but it is worth it. 

Another personal favorite is "School Soup", from one of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul " books. It is a tomato based soup with hamburger and vegetables. It is hearty and thick. 

Honestly, it is the many varieties of soup to choose from that make it a favorite for me. Cream of Tomato and French Onion... how does a person choose? Soup somehow warms the body and the soul. 

I have always loved the children's book, "Stone Soup." It is a reminder that sharing makes us better. 

There is actually a "Hot Pot Night" storybook by Vincent Chen that Ryan and Anna shared with us. It is a favorite with Elias and Milo. It is much like the "Stone Soup" story, except it is the Hot Pot version. Remember the fondue pots of the 70's? Well, in a hot pot, the broth cooks the meat and vegetables. We are actually doing a family hot pot night very soon. 

Soups quite often resemble bowls of vegetables with broth and maybe a little meat. A humble meal with good company is better than a fancy meal with people who are difficult. 

"A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate." Proverbs 15:17

Feel free to share your favorite soup recipes here. 

Today, I am grateful for soup season.

Butterfly Language

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 300 Facebook- Today, I am grateful for butterfly language .

"Can't talk butterfly language with caterpillar people."

Ponder that a minute. 

The caterpillar spends his life feasting and preparing for the cocoon season and the change that will come with it. The butterfly language comes after the darkness and discomfort. That is something to ponder all day and then a little more. 

You can't always educate yourself into knowing and understanding. Some things must be experienced and felt with the heart. 

"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

Seasons in life are temporary. Some are glorious and over too soon. Some, we can't wait to turn the page for the next chapter. Remember, the butterfly was once the caterpillar. It was a season of discomfort, uncertainty, and darkness where real beauty was formed and then revealed. 

You will have what you need for this day, as He always provides a way. The language of the butterfly takes time. 

Today, I am grateful for butterfly language .

Width and the Depth

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 299 Facebook- Today, I am grateful for width and depth.

I love this quote:

"You can't do anything about the length of your life. But you can do something about its width and depth. " -Evan Esar

 There is solid wisdom wrapped in that little quote. Only God knows the number of our days. We choose how we live each one of them. 

People will fail us. We will fail them, too. Imperfection is an inconvenient part of being  human. 

For a full life, love deeply with arms wide open. 

How do we do love with a wild abandon? We invite Christ to make his home in our hearts. Then we grow deeper roots and wider shoulders, strong enough to weather hard days because in Him we find exactly what we need. He is always enough. 

"Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." - Ephesians 3:17-19

Make today count. 

Today, I am grateful for width and depth.

Gratitude Journals

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 298- Today, I am grateful for Gratitude Journals. 

Today marks 3,950 days of keeping a gratitude journal. 564 weeks plus two days. Or, 10 years, 9 months and 25 days. Sometimes, I cannot believe it has been a daily practice for so many days. In truth, it has become a little like breathing. I need it. 

I missed a Facebook Gratitude challenge in November 2012. Life had just thrown a curve ball and Facebook was the last thing on my mind. 

It was mid-November in 2012 before I realized people were sharing "Daily Gratitude" every day in November. I was too late, but decided that I would be intentional on January 1, 2013. I have always known that gratitude is powerful. When we can't change our circumstance, it is up to us to change how we view our circumstance. 

Gratitude journaling is soul food. Praise songs are spoken gratitude making them powerful tools in worship and for coping when hard times come. 

Gratitude is key in healthy relationships. Gratitude fills the valleys of discontentment and helps level the playing field. Gratitude is a practice. 

Real gratitude is genuine, never fake, and never forced. It is intentional and on the best days... it might be inspirational. 

You might think this is weird... but sometimes the Spirit and I play a little game of "whose verse is better?" (Spoiler alert... when He plays... he wins.) I was heading to a specific verse, but prayed my "let me know if you've got anything better" prayer. This was my "Verse of the Day" at biblegateway.com where I copy references for my daily posts:  

"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

No coincidence there. What are the odds? There are 31,102 verses in the Bible, which is made up of 23,145 verses in the Old Testament and 7,957 verses in the New Testament. 

Speak gratitude. Write it down. Savor every opportunity to share thanks from a grateful heart. 

November is just around the corner. Would you consider keeping a Gratitude journal for 30 days? It isn't hard and I will be here to cheer you on. 

Today, I am grateful for Gratitude Journals. 

Good Judgement

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 297- Today, I am grateful for the knowledge that leads to good judgement. 

We have a respect for gravity, the sea, moving traffic, and even for stormy weather. When did man lose a sense of fear and reverence for the God of the Universe? 

We like to picture him like Father Time or Santa Claus. The truth is, our God is multifaceted. Yes, He is good, loving and kind. He is, also, just. Justness requires justice. There are consequences for ignoring his laws. 

We know not to ignore gravity or the dangers in the sea. We know to look both ways in moving traffic. We know to obey weather warnings and sirens. Why do we lack a respectful fear of an omnipotent God? He is omniscient and omnipresent. Nothing we say or do is unknown. We cannot hide. Yet, we still make less than good choices at times. 

Yes, being human means we fail. Failure is not permanent unless we give up. 

" Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment." -Proverbs 9:10

In our failures, he finds beauty in our brokenness. In our sincere repentance, his grace stretches deep and wide. We try to do better each time we fall. He helps pick us up and delights when we figure something out. 

Today, I am grateful for the knowledge that leads to good judgement. 

Provision

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 296 - Today, I am grateful for provision. 

One of my favorite old testament passages is in Genesis 22 when Abraham is taking Isaac up to Mount Moriah upon God's instruction. The long awaited son was now to be a burnt offering sacrifice. Still, Abraham obeys the Lord. 

This passage strikes something deep in my core. How could a parent follow such a horrible instruction? How did he trust God at that point? Yet, somehow, he did. 

“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” -Genesis 22:2

Imagine Isaac doing as kids do... they repeat themselves when stuck on a thought. "Dad... we forgot the lamb. Dad, what about the lamb? Why didn't you bring the lamb? Dad.... Dad... Dad! 

Abraham must have had giant, painful knots in his stomach. Trust and obedience must have created deep anguish within him, but he didn't waiver. He kept climbing the mountain in obedience. 

When it came time to tie Isaac down, there must have been tears and fears, but was still obedient. There is no record that the boy fought or attempted to run. Then the miracle happened. An angel of the Lord appeared and stopped the sacrifice and caught in the thicket was a ram for sacrifice.

“Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son." -Genesis 22:12

Abraham stepped out in faith. God provided for their every need. Provision from His hand. 

"Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” -Genesis 22:14

Today, I am grateful for provision. 

Obedience Learned In Suffering

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 295 - Today, I am grateful for lessons learned in suffering.

"Sign me up for suffering!" No one says that, right? It is not the desire of our hearts. 

We might sign up for discomfort... as many have gym memberships and actually use them... but suffering is different. Suffering is all-consuming. 

We can look to the book of "Job" for some powerful lessons on suffering, yet Job comes out the other side of the suffering with a richer, deeper, and more powerful relationship with God that grew in his suffering. "Hebrews" was written to Jewish believers. The authorship is a bit of a mystery, but the intention is not. It clearly supports Jesus as the Messiah. It is full of wisdom and clarity.  

"Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 9 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him." -Hebrews 5:8-9

No, suffering is never pleasant, but it often comes with new learning and new revelations. If Jesus can learn obedience in suffering, how much more can we learn?

Perspective changes everything. Suffering can be a boot camp for believers. At times, it is necessary for our training. 

Today, I am grateful for lessons learned in suffering.

Certainty in the Uncertain

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 294 - Today, I am grateful for certainty in the uncertain.

"If what's ahead scares you and what's behind hurts you, just look above. He never fails you."

There are times in our lives that we feel as if we are standing at some kind of a crossroads. We know that things are changing, but we don't know what that really means. Time always unfolds one day at a time, but we do not know what each day will bring. 

This comes when we go from single to married... from couplehood to parenthood... from toddlers to teens to aging parents... and eventually, one will place the other in the tender arms of our loving God. Loss of health, divorce, loss of parents or a child, and other unexpected twists can leave even those with the strongest core faith hurting and exhausted. 

It is in the scariest times that we learn to throw our arms up in surrender. "Thy will be done." Then, we can begin to fully lean into the shelter of His arms. 

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?" -Matthew 6:25-26 

There is no need to worry, when things are scary. He never fails us.

Today, I am grateful for certainty in the uncertain.

Good Instructions

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 293 - Today, I am grateful for good instructions.

I remember when the kids were little and their toys needed "some assembly required." Good instructions are priceless. 

Now, we have YouTube videos for many things that need some assembly or clear directions. It is good to be able to read the directions, and then to see the steps taken one by one. 

I am reminded that both are valuable. The written and a good example. I love this passage:

I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” -Psalm 40:8

I am grateful for the instructions in God's Word... and the example of Jesus. 

Today, I am grateful for good instructions.

Restoration

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 292 - Today, I am grateful for restoration.

I love seeing old things gain new life. Pinterest is a dangerous place. There are endless before and after  pictures of old items gaining new life. Furniture gaining a new life or a second life with repurposing are some of my favorite pages to explore. 

We humans can mess things  up. We get distracted. We spill things. We break things. We wear things out with careless use. Thank goodness we have a God who loves us enough to find the beauty in our brokenness and the patience to meet us where we are. 

"In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation." -1 Peter 5:10

Some things are even more beautiful after they have been broken and restored. The same is true for us. 

"The Velveteen Rabbit" was the first children's book I realized had great value and wisdom far beyond the children's bookshelf. It says: “Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'" 

He gives "beauty for ashes." 

Today, I am grateful for restoration.

Small Acts of Kindness

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 291 - Today, I am grateful for small acts of kindness.  

It really is the little acts of kindness that make the biggest difference. 

"I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay... small acts of kindness and love." -Gandolf, The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien 

This world is full of cruelty. I am reminded of the great value in small acts of love and kindness. 

Let someone ahead of you in the grocery line who is elderly or has small children... or less items than you. Return kindness for crossness and crabbiness, because you do not know the source of someone's pain. 

Leave a kind note. Send a silly meme. Send an unexpected email of encouragement. Do small things with great love. 

Let the knowledge of God's great love for us cause a reflexive loving response. We cannot love bigger or better than our God, but we can try to see the world through His eyes. When we do that, we cannot help but rejoice in His big and small acts or faithfulness and love. 

"I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations." -Psalm 89:1

How do we respond to His love? Pass it on. 

Today, I am grateful for small acts of kindness.  

Prayer to the Soul

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 290 - Today, I am grateful for prayer.  

"As wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul." - Corrie Ten Boom

Prayer lightens our souls. It really does. Think of the bird spreading its wings to take flight. Consider the sail that captures the wind and moves the big ships across the waters. That is what prayer does for our souls. 

It is not a chore. It is not something we have to do. It is something we crave. It lightens our load and carries our troubles to the throne of His grace and mercy. 

Today, I am grateful for prayer.  

Wrapped In Friendship

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 289 - Today, I am grateful we can be wrapped in friendship.  

"What do we do when our hearts hurt?" asked the boy.

"We wrap them with friendship, shared tears, and time, till they wake hopeful and happy again." -Charlie Mackesy

I just can't get enough of this cast of characters from Charlie Mackesy. I have not seen a children's book with such wisdom since "Winnie-the-Pooh." We all have times our hearts hurt. 

I am so grateful for the gift of friendship in the good times, but especially in the hard ones. Our friends are the family we choose. And, if we are exceptionally blessed, some of our family turn out to be some of our best friends, too... for a lifetime. I've been blessed with some of the best. 

I love this little cast of characters. The Boy, the Horse, the Fox, and the Mole seem an unlikely crew, but they seem to be better together. 

Isn't that how it is for people, too? Our tribe isn't always people who are just like us. In fact, some of those who are quite different from us are the ones who teach us the most. Our shared experiences are the glue. When one of us is broken, love is the balm and friendship is the bandage that wraps us up until we heal. 

I never tire of this favorite verse. Have you memorized it yet? 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep." -Romans 12:15

Today, I am grateful we can be wrapped in friendship.  

Grateful Memories

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 288 - Today, I am grateful for grateful memories.

"Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive times of sorrow." -Robert Louis Stevenson

What a beautiful quote. Not one I was familiar with before today. 

"Like a bird singing in the rain." Not caring about the rain, just singing because he has a song to sing. 

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." -Psalm 19:14

Not every memory is sweet and good. Some are hard. It makes the grateful memories even more precious. 

Today, we celebrated the first birthday of sweet little Nora Claire Leander. The first year has gone so fast. It seems like yesterday she was a newborn. Now she walks and keeps up with her big brothers. She loves to dance. She makes my soul sing. It is fun getting to be an "Auntie" to a few more little ones. Nora was, also, dedicated at church today, in the same place her Daddy was dedicated more than 30 years ago. 

I am thankful for the sweet memories that last a lifetime. 

Today, I am grateful for grateful memories.

Boots

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 287 - Today, I am grateful for boots.

I always say I have two seasons… sandals and boots. Boot season has arrived.  I do wear shoes. They are practical and some fashions require shoes, but there is something about boots.  

Comfortable shoes make all the difference!

Simple and quick today. 

Today, I am grateful for boots.

Change My Mind

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 286- Today, I am grateful I can change my mind.

There is a very old saying that says, "It is a woman's prerogative to change her mind." 

First of all, the word prerogative is underused. What a great word. It literally implies certain privileges because one belongs to a particular group. In this case, women get to change their minds. 

Does that mean men don't? I hope not. We all learn and grow as we walk through life. It is one of the delights of being human. We get to learn, adapt, and change. 

We have been culturally re-programmed to think that a privilege is always a negative. The sick, the elderly, the young, and the impaired need to be protected by certain privileges. It is how we love and care for them. Trust me, a two-year-old is granted the prerogative to change their mind several times an hour or even at one meal. We cannot always let them have their way, but sometimes... a little grace goes a long way. There is a delicate balance. On the good days, we find it.

In different chapters of our lives what is practical in one season may not fit another. We can change our minds about fashion almost annually. 

We reassess and change our minds about car choices as we go through life. Families used to survive on one vehicle. In Florida, many have one automobile and a golf cart. Some of my friends have traded in their sportier vehicles and have returned to vans to haul the grandchildren. We can change our minds. 

I liked this quote: "May my heart be kind. May my mind be fierce. May my spirit be brave." -Kate Forsyth 

Sometimes, it takes courage to change our minds... and even more to allow our minds to be transformed. We are instructed to allow God, by the Spirit and through His Word, to be the mind-changing force that guides our lives. 

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." -Romans 12:2

We are born with a desire to have things our way. We fight giving up control and handing it over to the one who wants to fill our lives with a peace the world cannot explain or contain. When we do submit, we wonder why we fought Him so long. It is literally the difference between dog paddling and floating. 

We can fight it... or we can be transformed by the changing of our minds when we believe and receive. 

Today, I am grateful I can change my mind.

Reserves of Strength

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 285- Today, I am grateful for the reserves of strength found in nature.

"Those who contemplate the beauties of the earth find reserves of strength." - Rachel Carson

There is a beautiful relationship between spending time in nature and finding close communion with God. In nature, we cut out the rest of the noise that accompanies our daily lives. 

We trade the radio for the birdsong. With no other distractions, we notice the ballet of the clouds as they dance across the sky. We notice the break of dawn and the colors of the sunset. We see God better in Nature. 

Father, Son, and Spirit are illuminated in the handiwork we call nature. Is it any wonder that nature has a way of helping restore our souls. 

After the last supper... before the evidence of a friend's betrayal.. Jesus went to the garden to pray. He faced the devil in the desert, a place that holds its own majesty. After preaching all day and the devastating news of his cousin's beheading (John the Baptist), Jesus retreated to the wilderness. There He could shut out the noise and spend time with the Father. There he found reserves of strength for his human side.  

"Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” -Matthew 26:36

It was a rough night. He prayed His way through it. He prepared for the hard days ahead. He found reserves of strength. 

Today, I am grateful for the reserves of strength found in nature. 

Fall Decor

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 284- Today, I am grateful for Fall décor. 

A simple post today. 

I get excited when the pumpkins take center stage. In the Pumpkin Capital where I live, September through November is pumpkin season. 

To be honest, I have some that are sprinkled through our home all year long. Not all of them are orange. 

Acorns, leaves, nuts, and warm colors create a homey, cozy feel. Table runners in golden hues or woodsy colors create a canvas for fall items.

Decorating special places is not new. 

"Cedar paneling completely covered the stone walls throughout the Temple, and the paneling was decorated with carvings of gourds and open flowers." -1 Kings 6:18

Yes, the Temple had carvings of gourds and open flowers. 

What fall décor is your favorite? 

 Today, I am grateful for Fall décor. 

The Use of Reason

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 283- Today, I am grateful for the use of reason.

The ability to reason is important in human relationships. Some have it. Some do not. The ability to reason and intelligence do not always go hand in hand. 

Thomas Paine wrote this:  "To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture." - Thomas Paine 

Paine was an observer of human behavior and a thinker. His pamphlet, "Common Sense," some feel fueled the dreams of freedom from England. Ben Franklin believed in  him and helped introduce him to the political scene in The Colonies. His articulate pen planted the seeds of freedom in many young colonists, and in some of the older ones, too. He backed his thoughts with common sense... with reason.

This scripture illuminates the hope we have in Christ. I love this promise:

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. No one will die. No one will ever cry or be sad for any reason. No one will ever have trouble. The old things are gone." -Revelation 21:4

Today, I am grateful for the use of reason.

Feel the Rain

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 282- Today, I am grateful we can feel the rain.

"Some people feel the rain, others just get wet." -Bob Marley

Perspective is a powerful tool. How we frame our days is up to us. We choose our view. 

We don't have "God googles" that help us to see the big picture He sees. We do have the tools he gave us to get through the good days, the amazing days, and the hardest days. 

His Holy Spirit equips us with power, love, and self-discipline. Not fear. So... no matter what the day brings... He provides a way... a response... and direction. 

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” -2 Timothy 1:7

Feel the rain.  Feel the feelings and you get through them. 

One day at a time. One step at a time.

Today, I am grateful we can feel the rain.

Those Who Wash the Plates

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 281- Today, I am grateful for those who wash the plates.

"Wash the plate; not because it is dirty or because you are told to wash it, but because you love the person who will use it next." -St. Theresa of Calcutta

Such a beautiful quote. Such a sweet reminder of what really matters in this life. Love.

Last Wednesday evening, our dear friend of many years, DeAnn Geiger,  finished her race and received her heavenly crown after a 9 month cancer battle. She always "washed the plate"... until her last breath. 

From 1996 to 2023, our friendship grew. God wove our lives together in such a way I am still amazed at the intricacies of it all. Can you believe both of our mothers were named "Ina?" What were the odds of that? 

It all began with chatting outside of Lincoln Elementary School waiting for our children at the end of the school day. Then, we began serving at PTO together, organizing the Picture Person program, surviving school carnivals, and building a playground. We enjoyed so many of the same things, it led to hanging out whenever we could. 

DeAnn, Jill, Kim, and I shared so many chapters in our lives. We became an easy foursome. When her first grandbaby, Brady, arrived... he referred to us as "Grandma and the Girls" when he learned to talk. We called him "the boyfriend." 

Our guys enjoyed each other's company, too, making any gathering fun and memorable. If you have ever been blessed with a bag of DeAnn's caramels, you know why hiding them became a regular game at our house when a bag was gifted to us.  I will never forget the time DeAnn told us Timm made sure she had the best wrappers for her caramels to make them pretty and easier to wrap. His thoughtfulness touched her heart and she didn't take it for granted. She was a master at sweet treats and food to share, and Timm perfected loving DeAnn. 

We savored "Scrapping and Chatting (mostly snacking) at church", connecting on Wednesday nights,  sharing birthdays,  taking getaway trips, laughing our way through so many New Year's Eve celebrations, the loss of our parents, and sharing our children's milestones (new drivers, graduations, weddings, and her grandbabies) as they grew into adulthood, and then having to say good-bye to Jill when Jesus called her home. 

Through DeAnn and Timm, we eventually got to know her Brother-in-law, Kent, and Sister-in-law, Brenda, Andrew, Ben, and Timm's mom, Karen, too. More special and enduring friendships were born. We grieved together when we had to say good-bye to Kent before our hearts were ready. 

I am so grateful that in the seasons of laughter and celebration we shared. When there was sorrow or sadness, we did it together. Rooted in faith and holding hands, every chapter of the past 27 years was better together. 

These two verses came as gifts in my inbox today:

"but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." -Titus 1:8 

DeAnn was so hospitable. She was always "washing the plates" because she loved the people around her. That passage sums up her life in a nutshell. 

I feel like the next verse is one she would give to all who are missing her. Read it like a blessing. 

"You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him." -Deuteronomy 13:4 

 We do not grieve as those who have no hope.  The heavenly reunions will be so sweet. 

Today, I am grateful for those who wash the plates.

A Thousand Miracles

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 280- Today, I am grateful for a thousand miracles.

"To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles." - Mary Louis

As the seasons change and summer slips into fall, I cannot help but be reminded of a thousand miracles around us everyday. '

Tiny seeds have grown into flowers and vegetables. And now, blooms become seeds to be saved for next spring. The rows of corn and beans are being picked from the fields. The winter will rest and restore the land to allow it to bear food again. 

The hummingbirds will move on to their winter homes, but they will find they, too, will return, just like the geese. 

"On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate." - Psalm 145:5

Let us not forget to notice the delicate intricacies and balance of nature, by His design.

Today, I am grateful for a thousand miracles.

To Walk In Truth

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 279- Today, I am grateful we can walk in truth. 

This world would lead us to believe that truth is subjective. We were warned that it would be this way in the last days. 

Since God's hourglass is not a 24 hour clock, we do not know how many generations will qualify as "the last days." The length of that season isn't important. What is important is knowing the Truth and letting that Truth guide our days. 

I used to avoid Revelation. I am so grateful our Sunday school class studied Revelation several  years ago. I now find it fascinating. I still don't understand it, but it sparks more curiosity than fear. The "Letters to the Churches" leave me wondering to which church of this day are the letters addressing? 

Petra used to sing a song called, "Living in Laodicea." In Revelation, Laodicea is the church that once burned bright, but has allowed culture to impact it in a way that it is merely "lukewarm." The lukewarm is spit out. I don't want to be spit out.

This passage has been a growing favorite of mine: 

"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us." -2 John 1:4

A dear friend and sister in Christ finished her race to receive her crown on Wednesday evening. All of the mysteries have been answered for her. She has heard "well done, good and faithful servant." (I am not quite ready to write about her life as a gratitude post... but it will come soon.)

Heaven is for real. Prophecy is unfolding all around us... I may lose some readers today... but I have to answer to the One who took my nails and paid my entry fee. We were purchased at a price and then made adopted children. Wow! Right? Adopted means joint heirs with Jesus as an old gospel song used to frame it.  

Are we as hungry to know His Word and to seek His Way as we are to get tickets to a big game or a big concert event? 

Heavenly reunions are a day closer today than they were yesterday. We can guarantee our seats at the reunion table with a simple prayer (Romans 10:9) and sincere surrender (Romans 12:1). 

"Not they will but thine be done..." Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.

Today, I am grateful we can walk in truth. 

Sit and Cry with Jesus

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 278- Today, I am grateful we can sit and cry with Jesus. 

This was my verse for the day:

"Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near." -Isaiah 55:6

We all have seasons of grief and loss. To live and love is to face loss. The gift of long, deep, and rich relationships is precious and priceless. 

As I drove home from work yesterday, this passage seemed to be on auto repeat.

"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

No mountain is too high. No valley too low. Nothing can separate us from His love. 

Love bears all things. We never have to bear our burdens alone. 

Today, I am grateful we can sit and cry with Jesus. 

Strengthened By Grace

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 277- Today, I am grateful we can be strengthened by grace. 

Grace is something we are given that we did not earn. We don't deserve it. It is a gift. 

When we recognize the truth that Jesus gave up heaven, took on human skin, suffered, and then died so we could be spared the price of our own sins... it is pretty humbling. 

As a child, I bore the grief and guilt of the price He paid for my sins. It haunted me. I didn't like Easter because it meant reliving Holy Week... that felt more miserable than Holy to a child. 

I remember reading Max Lucado's book, "He Choose the Nails" many years ago. It is a great book. I finally understood  what I had missed all along. He paid the price out of love and obedience. He would rather take the cross than see us suffer. His grace was never meant to inspire guilt, but to strengthen us. 

The BeeGees sang, "How deep is your love?" Jesus showed us when he stretched out His arms and took the nails in our place. His grace is deep and wide. 

"You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus" -2 Timothy 2:1

Today, I am grateful we can be strengthened by grace. 

God Does Not Sleep

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 276- Today, I am grateful God does not sleep.

I remember the first time I heard the quote, "Every night when you go to bed, give your problems to God. He is going to be up all night anyway." 

I loved it the first time I heard it. The problem is that I sometimes pick the worry back up when I wake up. That is not as He intended. He wants us to lay our worries at His feet in faith and with expectation that He will move in a way that will provide a way through any trial. 

"He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber." -Psalm 121:3

Rest. Trust. And, remember His faithfulness. 

Today, I am grateful God does not sleep.

The Next Step

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven-Day 275- Today, I am grateful for the next step.

Charlie Mackesy provided the perfect quote for today:

"I can't see a way through," said the boy. 
"Can  you see your next step?" 
"Yes."
"Just take that," said the horse.

 One day at a time. One minute. One hour. There is so much wisdom in that approach. 

By nature, I like a plan and a back-up plan. I have always overpacked for trips and tried to carry extra stuff with me "just in case." 

Dad and Mama used to tell the story of me as a "just in case" little girl. We were visiting "Grandpa" Evan Wade down the road. He was the father of one of my Dad's best friends. He was not a relative, but they were close friends who treated us like extended family. 

Grandpa Wade loved to engage the little ones in conversation. I arrived that day with two purses. I had a pink one slung crossbody over one shoulder, and a white one with navy trim crossbody over the other. (Apparently, I rocked the "crossbody" thing  at a young age. )

Grandpa Wade became curious about what was in my two purses. The story goes that I opened the first purse to proudly show him a dime. I thought I was rich. Then he asked, "What's in the other purse?" I shyly opened the second purse to show him a pair of clean underwear and whispered, "Just in case." He never forgot the story, so it was told often. I was his "just in case" girl. 

That story reminds me that we really are all wired uniquely. For each of us, our one-of-a-kind design has blessings and challenges. Our families can verify that fact. Part of being in loving relationships is adapting to what the other needs with love and compassion. (The Love-of-my-Life proves this each time we pay for an extra suitcase or overweight luggage.)

I am guilty of fretting about the "just in case" happening, when I simply need to remember to embrace "the next step." The next step is always the first one we should take. Don't buy or invent tomorrow's troubles. This day has enough of its own.  

Jesus reminds us to only take one day at a time:

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." -Matthew 6:34 

One day at a time. One step at a time. I often need the reminder to refocus. 

Today, I am grateful for the next step.