A Seed of Hope

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 140: Today, I am grateful for the life in a seed of hope. 

Mother's Day weekend is when we plant most of our flowers and seeds. This year was no different. 

This week, the seeds are breaking through the soil. I am so excited that my zinnias and hyacinth bean vines are alive and growing. When harvesting seeds from the spent blooms of the previous year, I always worry that they will not grow. 

The excitement is the same every year. I do not believe I will ever get over the miracle and wonder of a hard, dead, seemingly lifeless seed coming to life.  

"There is so much life in a seed of hope." 

The scripture that comes to mind is the one that talks about having the faith of a mustard seed:

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” -Mark 17:20

Nothing. Hope is not a wish. It is much more certain and solid. 

Today, I am grateful for the life in a seed of hope. 

Cover Your Bases

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 139: Today, I am grateful we can cover our bases.  

I am a just incase girl who likes to have a fully loaded back-up plan. Life rarely goes as planned, and I have discovered that the plot twists are simply a part of living a full life. That said, I like to have all of my bases covered when I can. 

This gave me pause and food for thoughts:

"Fear-based repentance makes us hate ourselves. Joy-based repentance makes us hate the sin." -Timothy Keller

I had never considered the importance of understanding the "base" of our repentance. Is it fear? Is it joy? Is it something else? A change of heart impacts everything we do. 

What is my relationship with His Word? Am I hungry for it? How do I feel about sin? Do I have my bases covered? 

"For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. -Hebrews 6:10

What drives our days? 

Today, I am grateful we can cover our bases.  

God's Wisdom and Ways

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 138: Today, I am grateful for God's wisdom and ways. 

I know in the military and intelligence there is a "need to know" category.  There are times the information given is directly important for a task or an assignment, but it is not the whole story or the big picture.  

Personally, I like to have a little more information. In fact, I believe I operate better when well informed. I am curious. I like to know things. 

I need to be reminded that although made "in His image," He still holds the keys to the universe. This usually happens in the pauses, the hallways, and other waiting spaces in my life. 

"Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!" -Romans 11:33 NLT

Yesterday's verse is still resonating with my soul, "With his love, he will calm all your fears."

I forget there are times we are spared anxiety because we choose to trust His heart, even when his ways are hard to understand. We only see a small piece of the puzzle from the vantage point we know as "today." 

I was reminded by a friend this week of God's conversation with Job. I have always thought it was as close to sarcasm as I have seen in the Bible. Perhaps, it is just a simple line of questioning to establish who is God, and who is not. 

" Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions    and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations,    and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together  and all the angels[a] shouted for joy? -Job 38:4-7

God loved Job deeply, yet allowed suffering. In that suffering, their relationship strengthened and deepened. The intimacy and trust deepened, even when there was pain, discomfort, and suffering. 

I would like to say I am an equally engaged student when things are going well. I am honest enough to confess that I am not, but that is my goal. I have often said, "I would not sign up for the trials, but I would not want to give back what I have learned in the valleys." 

I do not understand His ways. I do trust His heart. 

 Today, I am grateful for God's wisdom and ways. 

Verse of the Day

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 137: Today, I am grateful for my verse of the day. 

(Image artist unknown)

I never really know where a daily gratitude post will start or what the message will be. It surprises me often. Sometimes, I think there is a plan and it gets derailed. 

I still pray, "Lord, if something is wrong in this post, please delete it." He has more than once. Recently, one post was "lost" twice. I gave up and did something quick. Then, several said it was the post that spoke to their need. Coincidence or a God Wink? 

It never ceases to amaze me that He is in the tiniest details of our days. We are simply called to surrender our lives as a living sacrifice daily. Not chasing perfection, but chasing His perfect heart. 

This passage was my verse of the day and it was exactly what this girl needed. 

"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” -Zephaniah 3:17

For the one facing cancer - He will calm your fears with His love. 
For the one facing griefs old and new... He is living among you... lean on Him.
For the one who wonders if they can go on another day... He is a mighty Savior.  

For the one who is weary and worn out... rest in His arms. 

He will rejoice over you with singing.

This is just the message I needed today. 

Today, I am grateful for my verse of the day. 

 

The Mysteries of God

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 136: Today, I am grateful for the mysteries of God.  

I love mysteries. Mama Ina Mae gave me my first Nancy Drew for my birthday when I was in second grade. "The Secret of the Wooden Lady" was the title. I learned about ship's figureheads in that book as part of the story. I fell in love with mystery books and history. I still enjoy a good mystery and suspense. 

There is something in our human design that makes us curious and questioning. We are made in His image, right? God gave humans the power of choice. We choose which way we will go. It is our super power. 

Who knows the path of the wind or how a tiny baby in the womb forms bones, blood, and a heartbeat?

"Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things." -Ecclesiastes 11:5

I love this verse so much! It is full of the simple wonder of the mysteries of God. 

Today, I am grateful for the mysteries of God.  

All The Good You Can Do

  

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 135: Today, I am grateful for "all the good you can do." 

John Wesley sets the bar high, but it is a good high bar. 

"Do all the good you can, 
By all the means you can,
In all the places you can, 
At all the times you can, 
To all the people you can."

-John Wesley

The world is full of hard stuff, sad stuff, and evil. To be "not of this world" means we have to look and act differently. Be different. 

"Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it." -Psalm 34:13

The choice is always ours to make. Daily. 

Today, I am grateful for "all the good you can do." 

Only One

 Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 134: Today, I am grateful there is "only one." 

"How cool is it that the same God that created oceans and mountains and galaxies looked you and thought the world needed one of you too. "

Only one! The uniqueness of the human soul means there is only one you. 

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." -Psalm 139:16

It really is fascinating. The wonder of it all never gets old. 

Embrace your uniqueness. I know that it delights our Lord. Created in His image, but each one a masterpiece with a new story to tell. 

Today, I am grateful there is "only one." 

Things That Are Excellent

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 132: Today, I am grateful for things that are excellent.

Philippians 4:8 is still speaking to my heart, so we will remain another day. 

We are instructed to "think about things" that are excellent. What is excellent? 

Excellent is better than good. It is often a result of being consistent and intentional. 

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." -Philippians 4:8 

We return to a restaurant because it is excellent. We stick with a certain brand, because the quality is excellent. We spend time with our favorite people... and it is excellent. 

Today, I am grateful for things that are excellent.

Things That are Pure

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 132: Today, I am grateful for things that are pure.

Happy Mother's Day! I decided to spend another day reflecting on Philippians 4:8.

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." -Philippians 4:8 

Not many things are pure. The scriptures are clear and we know it if we look in the mirror... "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." It is why we need a Savior. 

Still, a mother's love for their children is pretty special. It is fierce, protective, and pretty close to pure. 

Today, I am grateful for things that are pure.

Things That Are Lovely

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 131: Today, I am grateful for things that are lovely. 

It is not the most common word in the New Testament. The Greek word is "prosphilēs" and translates as "acceptable" or "lovely." 

I find I am drawn to the word. Not everything has to be big and grandiose. Some things are perfect by simply being "lovely." 

The first cup of coffee, tea, or cacao in the morning. That is lovely. The scent of fresh cut grass is lovely, too. Closing your eyes and lifting your face to the sun on a cool spring day is absolutely lovely. 

I find there is a calmness associated with things that are lovely. These are good things to think on. . 

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." -Philippians 4:8

Today, I am grateful for things that are lovely. 

Soft Strength

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 130: Today, I am grateful for soft strength.

"How strange that the grass is all the remains standing after the storm," said the Boy.
"Sometimes being soft is strong," said the Rabbit.

These words speak to my heart as I think about Mother's Day. If you still have her here, hug your Mama well. 

I can't help but think about one of my best friends, DeAnn, who joined Jesus last fall. She is having a heavenly reunion with her own mother... who was also named "Ina" ... this Mother's Day. Their joy is full, but the grief here is fresh and deep. 

DeAnn, like my own Mama,  didn't just mother her own children, she mothered anyone who needed a little extra dose of tender-loving care sprinkled with common sense. When a person was weary, DeAnn was the best of companions. Yes, she and my Mama were more alike than I ever realized until sitting down to write this post. 28 years of friendship was wonderful, but not long enough. 

Mama and DeAnn were both great examples of "soft strength." When their children were faced with broken hearts, their hearts broke, too. Still, they would keep it together and remain calm and strong on the outside. 

They knew that to love deeply would require opening themselves up to the joys and the sorrows of living. They loved deeply anyway. Their soft strength recognized weariness in their world and they would offer to share the load.  

Then I think about Jesus, who exemplified soft being strong. By his stripes, we are healed. 

"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:2

Today, I am grateful for soft strength.

Evidence of Value

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 129: Today, I am grateful for evidence of value.

Any item of value is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

"Consider how precious a soul must be, when both God and the devil are after it." -Charles Spurgeon 

Ponder that for a minute or two. How exciting... and humbling it is... at the same time. 

We love to watch "Antiques Roadshow." One man's junk is another man's treasure" is the old saying. What might seem really ugly and worthless to one person, is another person's long searched for treasure. The value of art is subjective. So is the worth of a gemstone, precious metal, and even antique tractors and toys. 

Then I thought about this verse:

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

How do you measure the worth of a soul? It is a priceless treasure sought after for eternity. 

Today, I am grateful for evidence of value.

Reminders to Press On

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 128: Today, I am grateful for reminders to press on.

Some days are long. We all grow weary at times. We all need a little encouragement and reminders to press on. 

" So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." -Galatians 6:9 NLT

Keep doing what is good. Keep doing what is kind. Keep doing what is helpful. 

Today, I am grateful for reminders to press on.

Size Checks

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 127: Today, I am grateful for size checks.

"Stop making what people did to you bigger than what Jesus did for you." -Christine Caine

Christine and her husband, Nick, fight human trafficking through their organization, A21. Helping victims find help, hope, and restoration is their mission. They have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in this world.

It is not the size of your problem that matters, it is the size of your God.

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." - James 5:16

Earnest prayers have great power.

Today, I am grateful for size checks.

Bee- Loved

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 124: Today, I am grateful for bees.

Bees are amazing little workers. They work all day collecting what they need. In the process, they transfer the pollen that leads to fertilization. Over 100 crops... including our bee-loving and bee-loved pumpkins... rely on bees. 

I try to have plants that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Nature is a symphony. 

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." - Proverbs 16:24

Simple post today. 

 Today, I am grateful for bees.

Another Chance

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 124: Today, I am grateful for another chance. 

We all make mistakes. We mess up in small ways, and we mess up big. It is not pretty, but it is part of being human. 

This image is out of season, but I had to use the quote. It was new to me, and I love it. 

"Never ruin an apology with an excuse." - Benjamin Franklin

I think he nailed it on the head. Well stated and heartfelt apologies can help healing begin. Excuses tend to shift blame. Excuses pull the humility right out of the confession. 

I thought of this scripture passage: 

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14

When we humble ourselves we are not making excuses. When we seek His face, we seek a better way. When we make a change, He hears us and forgives. Then, He restores. 

Today, I am grateful for another chance.

A Good Giggle

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 123: Today, I am grateful for a good giggle.

This meme was just what I needed today. Honestly, I think goats make me giggle.

Goats are so charming. They are funny to watch and to feed. They are typically friendly. They are busy little fur babies.

Our kids always enjoyed feeding the goats in petting zoos. They always seemed to be starving, but we knew they were well fed.

Goats are easily distracted, making them the perfect animal for this meme. I, too, get distracted. I need reminders to keep first things first.

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." -Colossians 4:2 NLT

Today, I am grateful for a good giggle.

Pete Martin

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 123: Today, I am grateful for Pete Martin.

33 years of teaching beginning orchestra. 1991 - 2024. Tonight was Pete Martin's final orchestra concert as the director at Morton Jr. High School. I love words, but tonight... words fail me. 

To hear some beautiful tributes about his impact on students (current and former), co-workers, and our community was so special. The night was perfect. There was laughter, love, and of course... music.

Perhaps God gave us music for this very reason. Sometimes, words are inadequate. Music touches places words can't reach without the aid of a melody. Sometimes, no words are needed when the notes and chords are just right.  

The grand finale tonight included our Daughter-in-Love, Emma. She was one of 70 former students who joined in Pete's final performance as director of the MJHS orchestra. "Fiddles on Fire" was the first song he purchased for his students as a new teacher. It was so moving to see people coming from every corner of the gym to pick up an instrument and join in the grand finale. There was a sense of excitement mixed with awe. 

Pete's humility and sense of humor were woven into every word spoken about his 33 years at MJHS. He planted the seeds of a lifelong relationship with music for countless students. He taught the value in relationships, and that sounding a little different (or being a little different) is where the beauty and the harmony are found. 

"... In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you." -Psalm 45:8

I am excited for Pete... for his beautiful wife, Laura... and their family to have more of his time in the next chapter. Best wishes, Pete! 

Today, I am grateful for Pete Martin.

May Flowers

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 122: Today, I am grateful for May flowers.

The flowers for purchase are out everywhere. The stores with garden shops are stocked with plants coming in all the time. It finally smells like it is time to plant the flowers. 

There is something about flowers that lift the soul. I love to bring home a bunch from the store... especially the ones that are marked down. I will buy a couple and see what I can do to stretch the life in them. 

"Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God." - Isaiah 35:2

The splendor of His glory is reflected in nature. It is impossible to ignore. Take in the colored blooms and savor the scents of spring.

Today, I am grateful for May flowers.