The Beauty of January

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 31: Today, I am grateful for the beauty of January.

"Let the beauty of January's frost remind you that all things bloom in their time."

January has its beauty. Snow flocked trees and grasses in the backyard are one of my favorites. Icicles dripping into temporary ice sculptures can be breathtaking, although fleeting. The earth is mostly at rest.

One of the coldest months of the year is now in the rearview window. February can be cold, but it is short. 

"You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter." -Psalm 74:17

I love that. God sets the boundaries and the earth follows the cycles in place. The wonder of it all.  How this little planet was set in just the right place in the universe that we might have all that we need is a miracle. 

With wintery places comes some of the most interesting and magnificent creatures of the land and seas. Penguins, seals, polar bears, and whales are found in some of the coldest places on earth. 

On our coldest days in the Midwest, most of nature rests. We should rest, too. 

Today, I am grateful for the beauty of January. 

Bear In Love

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 30: Today, I am grateful we can bear with one another in love. 

No, not bears in love. 

It is getting close to Valentine's Day when all things turn to red hearts, roses, stuffed animals, and chocolate. This is even better. Better than chocolate? (I know... few things are.)

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 

It is a beautiful thing to bear each other's struggles, trials, and efforts to "try again." None of us is perfect. It is easier to get through brokenness with loved ones. 

Humility, gentleness, and patience are necessary for the journey. Walking together is better. Lifting each other up in a companionship that is full of the "aroma of Christ." 

Let your heart be encouraged by "the communion of saints." We are better together. 

Today, I am grateful we can bear with one another in love. 

Birds Singing

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 29: Today, I am grateful for birds singing. 

The weather has turned from brutal to nearly springlike in a couple of days. From nearly zero with sub zero wind chills to the 40's and 50's. Yesterday, the birds outside my window at work could not help singing. They sang so loudly I paused to listen. 

"And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. -Genesis 1:30

The animals know when to celebrate the little things. The birds sing because they know God provides and winter is only a season. Spring is just around the corner. One more month of long cold snaps and then little by little the days will grow warmer. 

The birds singing remind me not to miss this moment. The moments when our ears can hear and our eyes can see His provision and His grace are everyday holy moments. 

Listen for the birds to sing. It is one of the first signs of new life and the promise of Spring. First we have to get through February.  

Today, I am grateful for birds singing. 

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 28: Today, I am grateful for Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

Yesterday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Corrie Ten Boom, as you know, is the source of many of my favorite quotes. She experienced miracles big and small during her time in a concentration camp. She wrote these words:

"If you look at the world you'll be distressed. If you look within you'll be depressed. If you look at God, you'll be at rest." -Corrie Ten Boom 

The world around her provided nothing but distress. She chose to be a comfort to others. When her own thoughts and circumstances might have sunk her into a deep depression, she looked to God and found rest. I cannot begin to fathom all that was endured. 

The Bible she managed to smuggle into the concentration camp fed them hope and comfort on the hardest of days. It was one of the first miracles she and her sister, Betsy, experienced. That Bible was their lifeline. She shared its truth and hope with those around her. 

This is one of the passages she shared often and they held it deep in their souls:

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

In the midst of a living hell, they chose kindness, prayer, rejoicing, and thankfulness. How? They looked to God and not within. She was not idle, even in a prison camp. She found her purpose in helping those around them. Her presence and calm comforted others. They gave thanks in all things. 

I am grateful for the words she penned and shared for the rest of her life. Her wisdom is precious and priceless. 

Today, I am grateful for Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

Garage Door Openers

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 27: Today, I am grateful for garage door openers. 

Not glamorous, but life changing. My SIL, Jennifer, and I were just discussing the joys of an attached garage. It is still her favorite thing about her house. 

A related luxury is the electric garage door opener. 

On extremely hot and extremely cold days, do we take our electric garage door openers for granted? What about when the the rain is pouring down or the snow is piling up? A click of the button means a comfortable exit from the car. 

Have you ever had your garage door opener fail for one reason or another? It is annoying and inconvenient. It is good to know what to do for a manual opening of the door. Yes, there was a day not terribly long ago when manually opening a garage door was not uncommon. It is good to know what to do in the event of a power outage. 

I need to be more intentionally grateful about these beautiful, simple pleasures. 

This verse is perfect to remind us who opens the door to Heaven for those who call Him Lord, and that we have the responsibility to invite Him into our hearts, lives, and ordinary days. 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." -Revelation 3:20

We must push the button on the remote to open our garage doors. We must invite Jesus in to open the door to new life and Heaven. 

Today, I am grateful for garage door openers. 

Oil

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 26: Today, I am grateful for oil. 

The older I get, the more special the 23rd Psalm becomes. I used to associate it with the sadness of funerals. It is appropriate for funerals, but in celebration... not sadness. 

Anointing someone's head with oil is still done when praying for healing for the sick. Many oils have healing properties and health benefits. Olive oil was the most common oil in the Bible. It is still a mainstay in diets all over the world. We continue to hear of the many health benefits of olive oil. 

"you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." -Psalm 23:5

My daily Bible Study often dives deep into Hebrew and Greek. I enjoy learning how the original languages are different and difficult to translate into English. It helps me grow. 

This week I was reminded that Messiah(Mashiach in Hebrew) and Christ (Christos in Greek) both imply "the anointed one." In ancient Israel, anointing with oil was a symbolic act of setting someone apart for a holy purpose. Pretty incredible, right? 

It gets better. I dug a little further, with the 23rd Psalm echoing in my head. Why did ancient shepherds pour oil on the heads of their sheep? 

1. The rams in breeding season would fight for the ewes attention. Pouring oil on a ram's head meant it might slip when attempting to fight another ram, preventing a locking of horns and potential injury or death. 

2. Oil was part of the shepherd's arsenal of wellness tools. The oil helped keep the sheep well in the fight against parasites and nose flies, even before we understood the science. (Today, most shepherds use ivermectin to prevent the parasites.)

3. Oil has healing properties. Wounds often come as a result of a sheep's incessant curiosity and bad decisions. 

Wow! That has spiritual implications, right?

The Good Shepherd is our healer and rescuer. He provides all that we need. 

Today, I am grateful for oil. 

God's Rewrites

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 25: Today, I am grateful for God's rewrites. 

I love this reminder that our God is one who loves to redeem. Broken people, broken relationships, broken lives, broken hearts, and anything else that needs fixed. 

Rahab is one of my favorite ladies in the genealogy of Jesus. Her label changed from "prostitute" to "Grandmother of the Messiah, Jesus." That is some powerful change in only a few generations. 

How long did it take before the whispers died down about her past transgressions? Was she recognized for her courage and quick thinking that protected the Israelite spies? Did she find true friendship with the women at the well? 

We can speculate but the details are not all written down. What we do know for sure is that the very same Rahab became wife to Salmon and gave birth to Boaz. Boaz would marry the foreign widow, Ruth, and they would have Obed. Their son, Jesse, would have a son named, who would become King David. Jesus would come from the same lineage. God is not concerned with our pedigree. He cares about our hearts. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. -Philippians 4:8

God did not forget Rahab; he redeemed her. Her story was rewritten. 

Think about these things. His promises are good. 

Today, I am grateful for God's rewrites. 

Baking Scents

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 24: Today, I am grateful for baking scents.

There is nothing like the scent of baking to make a home feel cozy in the winter. Realtors have learned to suggest baking cookies before an open house. We all have memories associate with baking and most of them are happy. 

Brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and oatmeal cookies all have different scents. Chocolate, vanilla, and cinnamon create a wonderful aroma that signals something good is coming. 

We love wonderful aromas and things that make our home smell good. I think the way a home smells impacts the feeling of welcome people receive when they arrive. Aroma is a part of hospitality. 

I am reminded of this challenging verse:

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing," -2 Corinthians 2:14-15

To be the "aroma of Christ" is a challenge to our human nature. It is why the verse says "Christ leads." 

His fragrance on us and in us, by His Spirit. Surely, His fragrance is the best of scents.  

Today, I am grateful for baking scents.

The Real Things

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 23: Today, I am grateful for the real things. 

Ohmygoodness! That is what Ina Mae would say if things were good and when something was shocking or unsettling. There is so much that is unsettling in the world right now. I miss her wisdom. She would often remind me that God manages things in His way and in His time... and that His ways can still be trusted. 

She loved Laura Ingalls Wilder. 

"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." -Laura Ingalls Wilder

The things that matter have not changed. Honesty is still the best policy. Truth always comes to light. What we have is enough if we appreciate it. Simple pleasures are the best. Courage can still slay giants when accompanied with big faith! The Bible is the best of compasses. 

Beauty fades. Integrity echoes through the generations. Courage counts in the valleys. Grace and gratitude matter on the mountain tops and in the wins. The real things remain. 

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." -James 1:2-3

Everyone has trials, struggles, and disappointments. Everyone has seasons of celebration and joy. The real things do not change. The real things are priceless. 

Today, I am grateful for the real things. 

 

Chances to Slow Down

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 21: Today, I am grateful for the chance to slow down. 

Winter weather! How does it make you feel? 

There is an old Simon and Garfunkel song called "Feelin' Groovy." It starts out like this, "Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last, Just kicking down the cobblestones, looking for fun and feelin' groovy."

It reminds us to slow down and embrace the moment. Savor the journey instead of racing to a destination. 

Why do I feel like it is a "win" to beat the estimated arrival time on my GPS when traveling somewhere new? Surely, the ones who really enjoy travel are the ones to enjoy the trip as much as the destination. I need to work on this. I hurry too much. 

Winter forces slow downs. Maybe I need to hear a certain song on the radio on my commute to work. Sometimes that last song before arrival is just the right song to face the day.

I need reminders to slow down. This verse is on the wall in my kitchen:

“Be still, and know that I am God” -Psalm 46:10

It is one of my daily scriptures. It gives me focus. The second half of that scripture is this:

“I will be exalted in the earth!”

Slow down today. Listen. Look for places our God is exalted. His purposes will not be thwarted. 

Read a book. Listen to an extra song. Savor another cup of something warm and yummy. Seek His face in the stillness. 

Today, I am grateful for the chances to slow down. 

Bedwarmers

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 21: Today, I am grateful for bed warmers.

This image is from an antique bed warmer. Cold sheets are hard to take on a frigid winter night. Humans have found many ways to take the chill off bedtime. 

We are experiencing extreme cold in the Midwest. When I crawl into bed, I am very grateful for my heated mattress pad. It is a wonderful bed warmer. 

"Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?" -Ecclesiastes 4:11

King Solomon knew the discomfort. Our modern conveniences are so nice. Add a dog under the covers and you get extra warmth. 

Today, I am grateful for bed warmers.

Honor

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 20: Today, I am grateful for "honor."

(Reminder... I do not post political things on "Daily Gratitude". This Facebook page is for developing attitudes of gratitude...but today I will mention the significance of a collision of three historic happenings... long post warning)

Honor is a noun and a verb. Honor is powerful. It can build relationships, trust, and recognize those who give their all to a purpose or a cause. I am struck by the significance of this moment. 

Today, we honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his life and his work. His "I Have a Dream" speech is so often quoted, because it was beautiful, articulate, and powerful. Evaluating a person on the content of their character is illuminating and humbling, as no one is perfect. His leadership called for change. He called for peace. He called for hope. He called for people to love. He called for light. This is one of my favorite quotes from MLK:  

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -MLK

Well said, Dr. King. 

Abraham Lincoln said: "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have." 

Today, we honor the beginning of a second Presidency. President Trump will be remembered as numbers 45 and 47 in the history books. A split presidency has only happened once before. (Grover Cleveland was our 22nd and 24th President.) It is unusual and noteworthy. 

While we remember the tragic assassination of MLK, we have a new President inaugurated today after two failed assassination attempts. It feels noteworthy.

There is pomp and circumstance around any "changing of the guard" in the leadership of a nation. It is full of  boundless excitement for some and devastating disappointment for others. For all, it is a new beginning. It is a chance for new leadership to respond to our nation's hopes, needs, fears, desires, and dreams. It is a chance to reflect and reset the compass of a nation, when something is not working. It is an opportunity to take what was learned from the forty-six previous presidential terms and build on their successes while avoiding the failures of others. It is a huge responsibility. 

Both President Trump and Vice-President Vance will have Bibles given to them by their grandmothers. President Trump will have a second Bible used by President Abraham Lincoln. Rev. Franklin Graham will offer the prayer. 

We are to pray for our leaders: 

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." -1 Timothy 2:1-4

Today, we are still in the 30 days of mourning following the death of former President Jimmy Carter. I have heard it said again and again, his life became even more remarkable after his presidency. He remained humble, kind, God-seeking, and committed to serving those around him as a Sunday School teacher, as a community member, and as the face of Habitat for Humanity. He build others up.

President Carter used his influence for good. He was kind and gentle. He sought Godly wisdom. Our flags will be raised from half-mast to full-mast today. It marks the inauguration and celebration of a new President elected by the people. The flag will return to half-mast tomorrow. The raising of the flag to full-mast for Inauguration Day exemplifies how Jimmy Carter lived his life. His honor for "the people" makes me think it would not be hard for him to vote on raising the flag for Inauguration Day. He loved "the people" more than anything that might divide them. 

"Honor is better than honors."-Abraham Lincoln

Another wise quote from the 16th President is: 

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." -Abraham Lincoln

Honor is better than honors. I am grateful for those who choose to act with honor in the dark and in the light. 

Today, I am grateful for "honor."

Poetry

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 19: Today, I am grateful for poetry.

Song lyrics are really poetry in motion. My teacher(and now friend), Pat Braun, was the first to point that out. Back when the art of poetry was respected as a more legitimate job, poets were paid to write. Poets today can put a book together and hope someone likes it enough to buy it. 

This morning, I was reminded of the comfort of familiar poetry. The Psalms are favorite scriptures for many, including me. They were often sung, as adding the music makes it easy to remember. They are still sung today in worship music. 

"“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone." -Act 17:27-29

There is a worship song that takes directly from this passage, "In Him we live, and move, and have our being." I love the poetic part of that verse. It describes how we often "feel" our way toward God and finally find Him - although he is not far from any one of us. 

We "feel" our way like we are moving in darkness. The darkest moments in our lives are when many of us finally turn to the One who was already right there... waiting. Ready to comfort, rescue, and guide. It is poetry in motion and something to sing about when we return to a relationship with the one who gave us our soul breath. 

Poetry helps us celebrate more fully; it helps us grieve more freely.

Does the poetry we sing and celebrate reflect what or whom we worship? Absolutely! 

Today, I am grateful for poetry.

Brumal

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 18: Today, I am grateful for a new winter word… brumal.

Part of bringing a new lens to winter is finding new words to frame it.  Brumal is another winter word I have not developed in my lexicon until today.  Brumal is an adjective. It is one letter different from brutal, but it is not a synonym  Brumal means “all things wintery.”

Brumal is not negative or positive as much as it is seasonal  Yes, a brumal blast of wind makes us shiver, but a bear taking its brumal nap is hibernating in a cozy place. The brumal crispness of ice on dead fall grasses is neither good nor bad, it is merely descriptive.  

How many times do I try to frame something as “good” or “bad” when in truth, it is neither?  Some things just are what they are. Winter is not my favorite season, but it has great value as the earth rests. Some things die to bring new life or to nourish the ground in preparation for the spring season. 

In what must have been the most emotional of dinners with His disciples, Jesus was facing the torment of the cross before him.  He said:

“ For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” Mark 14:21-22

It wasn’t winter, but did a brumal chill fill the upper room at His words? He was facing his battle with death, knowing He would win, but it would be brutal. There was abandonment and agony ahead. Still, he chose to suffer the humiliation of death on a cross to pay off our sin debt so we might be fully reconciled… paid in full! Forever. 

The brumal darkness of the grave dispelled! Forever. 

Today, I am grateful for a new winter word… brumal.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 17: Today, I am grateful for apricity. 

It has been awhile since we celebrated a new word... or a least one that is new to me. How have I missed it. It is a word for winter sun.

"Winter sun" has been in conversations lately and in my gratitude journal, but I did not know it had its own word. 

Apricity (n.) The warmth of the sun in winter.

And, it is a glorious word. One that we can add to our winter vocabulary if we use it often. I am delighted with this little find. 

Winter sun drives the gloom away. Apricity is a kiss of hope when everything seems cold and lifeless. 

Job experienced the worst of times. It is recorded in Job. This verse is perfect for today's gratitude post:

"I walk in gloom, without sunlight." -Job 30:28

But, then... sunshine breaks through and warms the winter day. It isn't every day, so do not forget to savor it. 

Celebrate that apricity as it reflects on every shiny place it lands. Let our parked cars absorb the warmth to welcome us on our arrival. 

Today, I am grateful for apricity. 

One Kind Word

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 16: Today, I am grateful for those who warm the world with kindness. 

"One kind word can warm three winter months." -Japanese Proverb

Kindness is a superpower. It can change someone's day. The simple acts of kindness are some of my favorites. 

In our little village, it is not uncommon at the grocery store to see someone with a full cart allow the person behind them to go first, when they have only a few items. Older men and women will let the person with little ones go ahead of them, too. (Little ones grow weary of grocery shopping quickly.) These acts of kindness cost nothing but a few moments of our time. 

Never underestimate the power of a kind word or deed. You do not have to be healthy, wealthy, or highly intelligent to be kind. Kindness matters.

Speak kind words to a stranger. You never know who is at the end of their proverbial rope and a kind word may be the thing that brings hope and begins healing. 

"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness." -Proverbs 31:26

Kindness is a powerful choice. 

Today, I am grateful for those who warm the world with kindness. 

Walk Gently With Intention

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 15: Today, I am grateful for those who walk gently with intention. 

The world needs more gentleness. It needs it more than ever. 

I love watching small children when they are acting with gentleness toward each other or any living creature. There is a beauty in their touch that is almost holy. There is a pureness and sincerity that is lost as children grow up. 

"A gentle person treads lightly, listens carefully, and touches with reverence. Let's dress ourselves with gentleness." Henri Nouwen

Social media allows people to blurt things out they would never say in person. People are fascinated with views and likes. I am reading a book that shares some of the research coming about about our children having phone based childhoods. In a nutshell, put down the phone and go out and build a snowman. 

Since I use social media for gratitude and keeping in touch with far away family and friends, I have to be thankful for it, too. In all things, what are we reflecting? Who are we reflecting? What are we pouring into the world at home, at work, or into cyberspace. 

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" -Galatians 2:22-23

Against such things... there is no law. We can choose how we walk into each room, each building, and each day. 

Today, I am grateful for those who walk gently with intention. 

The Hope in Longer Days

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 14: Today, I am grateful for the hope in longer days.  

The reality of the days getting longer is starting to be more evident. The shortest, longest days of winter are behind us. We are on our way to Spring with nearly half of January in the rearview mirror.  

"Hope is like a bird that senses the dawn and starts to sing while it is still dark."

A bird who is confident the dawn is coming sings in the dark. Do we? Do we trust Him in the dark? Can we sense His presence like the bird senses the dawn of  a new day? 

Hope, faith, and trust are true companions. Hope is not a wish, it is a confident expectation. 

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

I am grateful for the hope that comes with each new dawn and the ability to sense His presence in the dark. 

Today, I am grateful for the hope in longer days.  

Prayer Changes Things

 Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 13: Today, I am grateful prayer changes things. 

One of the things I find most attractive in any human is their choice to love their spouse. 

The reality of looking in the mirror every morning is coming face to face with the reality of my own imperfections and shortcomings. We all have them. We all struggle. 

For those who are married, the gift of a praying spouse is a game changer. We have the opportunity to be their advocate, too. For those who are not married, choose someone special in your life and pray for them intentionally, too. 

How do we pray for them? 

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word... (28) In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. -Ephesians 5:25-28

"So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." -Ephesians 5:33

It is a great passage. I grabbed some of the highlights. 

Women's souls are nurtured by expressions of love. Men need to feel respected. Not everyone is exactly the same, but it is a general rule to live by. As we pray for our significant others, how can we demonstrate the love and respect they need?

To be tender with another's heart and soul is an act of love. To pray for a spouse/significant person blesses both the one who prays and the one being prayed for. 

"Every time you complain about your spouse, your heart hardens toward them. Every time you pray for your spouse, your heart softens toward them." 

The best gift one spouse can give another is to pray for them. Prayer changes things. 

Today, I am grateful prayer changes things. 

A Blanket of White Snow

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 12: Today, I am grateful for a fresh blanket of white snow.

And just like that, the dingy, dirtiness is gone, covered by a blanket of freshly fallen snow. It is beautiful. 

Our dog, Daisy Mae, loves to eat snow (she likes ice in her water bowl, too). It is amusing to watch her looking for the freshest untouched snow to eat. (She is a bit of a princess.) Most of her trips outside at the moment are for the sole purpose of eating snow. Occasionally, she will take care of other business. 

Last night, finding the right bite required going off the snow covered patio and into deeper snow. This morning, we woke up to a fresh blanket of snow. The backyard is beautiful again, and Daisy Mae has plenty of options for snacking on freshly fallen snow. 

It makes me think of the Israelites the first time they woke up to manna. Manna was the bread God provided for their daily needs. There was always enough. 

(13)And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew.  When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. (31) The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers. -Exodus 16: 13,31

The only day they could store a double provision was the day before the Sabbath. If they disobeyed God's instructions and tried to save it, it would be wormy and awful the next morning. Enough and not an abundance. No one went hungry. They were to trust Him completely for all of their needs. 

Freshly fallen snow is not manna, but it is beautiful as it blankets the ground. It is not "manna" to anyone but Daisy Mae, but it gives us a glimpse into the beauty and the gift of those Exodus desert mornings when God's people trusted him for their every need. 

Today, I am grateful for a fresh blanket of white snow.

Invitation To Rest

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 11: Today, I am grateful for the invitation to rest.   

Winter is not my favorite, but I have made it a goal to look at winter with new eyes over the past few years. Winter is a time to rest. 

Nature rests. It is a good reminder for us to rest, too. Good sleep improves our health, our disposition, and helps clear our thinking, too. Exhaustion does not look good on anyone. 

I love this passage:

"Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat." -Mark 6:31 (NLT)

Could he see the disciples getting "hangry?" He wore human skin and experienced exhaustion, too. He saw the weariness and invited them to a place of rest and restoration. 

Winter is a season of rest. The land rests. We need to rest, too. I long for the longer summer days instead of taking advantage of the invitation to rest when the nights are long. The struggle is real. Why is it so hard to say "yes" to rest? 

"Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath." -Mark 2:27

The invitation to rest is a beautiful thing. Beyond the invitation is the command:

"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work." -Exodus 20:8-9

Today, I am grateful for the invitation and the instruction to rest.

Ten

 Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 10: Today, I am grateful for the number ten.

Remember Sesame Street ending each show with "Sesame Street has been brought to you today by letters and a number?" I hear it in Elmo's voice. Today's gratitude has been brought to you by the number ten.

It is easy to count by tens, even if you are not a gifted mathematician. 

I prefer words over numbers, but I cannot ignore that God loves numbers. The letters of the Hebrew alphabet have number values. The "Yud" is the tenth letter and also the smallest. It is a strange concept to me, but I find it fascinating.  

Anyone versed in the scriptures knows that numbers show up often and often with repetition. One, three, ten, twelve, torty, one hundred, and one thousand are numbers that come to mind. On the tenth day of January, it is fun to look at the number ten. 

• God promised he would spare Sodom if Abraham could find ten righteous souls in Genesis 18:32.
• Joseph's ten brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy. 
• In Exodus 18:25, Moses set up a way to govern the affairs of the Israelites in groups of 1000, 100, 50, and 10. 
• In Exodus 20, God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. 
• In Exodus 26, the Tabernacle was made from ten curtains of finely woven linen.
• In Numbers 29:6-8, The Day of Atonement is on the tenth day of the seventh month. It is known today as Yom Kippur and marks the end of Ten Days of Repentance.  
• In Daniel 1:2, the king tested Daniel, Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego on their simple diet of vegetables and water for ten days against the rich diet from the king's table. 
• In Luke 17:11-17, ten lepers are healed by Jesus. Only one returns to offer thanks.
• Many parables include the number ten.
• Revelation is full of the number ten, too. 

We celebrate new decades every ten years. Most youth are excited to reach "double digits" making 10th birthdays memorable. Decades of marriage are celebrated in big ways. We tend to say "almost 40" instead of 38 or 39 years of marriage. 

Today's gratitude has been brought to you by the number ten.

Today, I am grateful for the number ten.

Humble Wisdom: Mother Teresa

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 9: Today, I am grateful for Mother Teresa's humble wisdom. 

"If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are." -Mother Teresa

Read that one again. 

"If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are." -Mother Teresa

In this world, there will be praise and there will be times of disgrace. It is part of being human. Mother Teresa was so articulate. I love her simple framing of big thoughts. 

"Because you know what you are..." Oh, the trials and the limitations of this human condition! 

We know we are imperfect. We know we fail. We know we try hard. We know we enjoy success. We do not enjoy failure or embarrassment. 

"Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love." -Ephesians 4:2

Be humble. Be curious. Be grateful we do not have to be perfect, because His grace is sufficient. 

Today, I am grateful for Mother Teresa's humble wisdom. 

The Warm Spots

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 8: Today, I am grateful for the "warm spots."

When the weather turns cold, we truly appreciate the "warm spots" that add comfort to the day... and night.

"King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm."- 1 Kings 1:1

 Can you relate? Even kings experience the cold. You do not have to be old to find yourself in a place where you cannot seem to get warm. 

I love my "bun warmers" in my car. Randy's truck has a heated steer wheel, too, that I appreciated when I took his vehicle on Monday. He had the seats and steering wheel warm and waiting for me when I headed out the door for the day. It made my day. It was the perfect warm spot on a cold morning.

A seat on the hearth is a perfect way to spend a winter's evening. Our fireplace burns wood, which adds an extra sense of warmth with the wonderful smell that not only lights the room, it creates an ambiance related to the scents, the sounds of the crackling wood, and the heat given off. It is a perfect warm spot. 

To end most winter days, I have to move the 70 pound baby that is already in my spot. Daisy Mae is a perfect foot warmer which makes up for the fact she is a bed hog. The mattress pad has a pre-heat setting, too. A warm bed in the winter is the best of warm spots... and it is hard to crawl out of in the morning. 

Savor the warm spots in your day. They are simple pleasures. 

Today, I am grateful for the "warm spots."

Lessons Found in the Waiting

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 7: Today, I am grateful for the lessons found in the waiting. 

I do not love the waiting spaces and places, but God always uses them in productive ways. We need the waiting spaces to slow us down. In the hallways and waiting places, we fully engaged in seeking His face. 

"Healing takes time. There is a reason the Lord waited twenty-two years to reunite Joseph and his brothers. The lessons were found in the waiting." 

Twenty-two years would seem like forever. Who did it take longer to heal from the betrayal, Joseph or his brothers? Perhaps, it was Abraham, the father whose heart was broken without Joseph and because of his son's deceit. 

How long did it take for Joseph's anger to disappear? What about Abraham? How long did it take him to forgive and embrace the second chance? The waiting spaces can be fertile ground for growing and learning, when we embrace the pause.

"Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." -Psalm 27:14

Today, I am grateful for the lessons found in the waiting. 

Cuddles

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 6: Today, I am grateful for opportunities to cuddle. .

This image shows exactly what Daisy Mae does to get Randy's undivided attention. She thinks she is sneaky. She tries to be sneaky, but knows exactly what she is doing. From the stare to the tap on the shoulder, it begins to become obvious that she has an agenda. 

As the temperatures dip and the snow blows across the prairie, Daisy might have the right idea. Hunker down and snuggle in. 

To every thing there is a season, and this one was made for cuddling. 

Today, I am grateful for cuddles.

Fresh Moments

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 5: Today, I am grateful for fresh moments. 

A new year is always a fresh start. Many make grand New Year's resolutions that are abandoned by February. This quote holds some wisdom:

"Every moment is a fresh beginning." -T.S. Elliott

January first is not a magical moment. Every moment we inhale and exhale holds potential. As long as we are breathing, we can start again.

Some days, the best thing we can do is pause and intentionally declare a reset for the rest of the day. 

Souls matter. Kindness matters. Forgiveness matters. Attitudes matter. Actions matter. Walk gently. Who or what we worship matters. 

I had another verse in mind, but this was my verse for the day and it caught the spirit of being intentional in our actions. Does what we say and do reflect and honor God? 

"Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows" -Isaiah 1:16-17

Clean up. Start over. Set your compass on truth, justice, and mercy. Act with honor toward those who are in need or without protection. Make the most of this moment. 

Each year we begin again, but we can choose to do something new. This January, we can make new choices. This is a new January 5th.  

We do not go alone. 

"For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." -Isaiah 43:19

Today, I am grateful for fresh moments.