Maps

 Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 325: Today, I am grateful for maps.

I love old fashioned maps. Why? I am not sure. Perhaps it is because I grew up with GPS. We used maps and landmarks. Occasionally, a map would need to be replaced because of new roads or road revisions.

Youth today have always had GPS. I am sad that they are missing out on the joy of figuring out a map and finding their way to a desired destination or location. It is a mini-adventure.

I remember an old Muppet movie where Fozzie wanted to "take the blue road" and the others cried out, "That's a river Fozzie." Poor Fozzie was not very map savvy either. 

On a family trip to Florida, our nephew, Rob, made a pirate map for the kids to follow. The cousins had a great time outside running around, looking for whatever treasure was hidden. Study, seek, and find are words that generate adventure. 

"He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go."- Proverbs 2:8-9

A little help finding our way is a blessing.

Today, I am grateful for maps.

Light Switch

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 324: Today, I am grateful for the light switch.

Imagine life without them!

The light switch is a humble servant in our homes. We flip the switch and the light comes on. We flip it again and the light goes off. It really is quite incredible. It is one of the simple luxuries in nearly every home. 

"Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." -Genesis 1:3

Then God separated the light from the darkness. Not the darkness from the light, but the light from the darkness. Interesting, right? I might need to ponder that a little more. 

Keeping it simple today. 

Today, I am grateful for the light switch.

All of It

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 323: Today, I am grateful for "all of it." 

"Be thankful for all of it. The highs, the lows, the blessings, the lessons. The setbacks. The comebacks. Everything." - Toby Mac

It all works together. See it. Choose it. Use it. 

"Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word." -Psalm 119:37

Look for the value in it all. 

Look for the life in His word.

Today, I am grateful for "all of it." 

Discontentment Slayers

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 322: Today, I am grateful for discontentment slayers.

"Be thankful for what you have."

A simple decision that changes the landscape of a life. 

The spirit of discontentment is not a fruit of His Spirit. It is what the enemy whispered to Adam and Eve in the garden that sowed discontentment in paradise. 

Stuff is just stuff. There will always be the next best thing in the advertisements that surround us and fill our homes. To be content with what we have plants the seeds of joy. 

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This week alone there have been many discontentment slayers. Clean sheets on the bed, a warm beverage in my cup, a fire in the fireplace, a warm bed, and plenty to eat. Seriously, that is the good stuff. 

Do not miss the little things! They are worth counting. 

Today, I am grateful for discontentment slayers.

Clean Sheets

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 321: Today, I am grateful for clean sheets.

Remember when naps were punishment. Oh, how I love a good nap, now. The only thing better than a nap is crawling into a bed with clean sheets. The icing on the cake is if they smell like a summer breeze. 

Happiness is a clean sheet day! 

Daisy Mae loves it, too. Even a pet can tell there is something special about freshly laundered bedding. 

Clean sheets are one of the simple joys of our modern living. I try to not take them for granted. If I could, I would have clean sheets every night. Doing bedding does take some time. 

"If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." -Proverbs 3:24

Feeling blue? Wash your face and wash your sheets. Both are good for the soul.

Today, I am grateful for clean sheets.

Gifts We Can Keep

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 320: Today, I am grateful for three things we can give away and still keep.

"Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart." -Zig Zigler 

I love this! 

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. -Proverbs 15:30

Today, I am grateful for three things we can give away and still keep.

Walker

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 319: Today, I am grateful for Walker.

Walker arrived and turned completed our family of four. We did not know what we were missing until he arrived. He gave Chase a sibling and a forever friend. He was witty and full of life. He was the youngest in the neighborhood for a season, and everyone looked out for him. 

Walker's heart is one of his best features. He is gentle in spirit and leads with compassion toward humans and animals. He inspires me with the breadth of his grace. His capacity to love is deep and wide. 

"So God created human beings  in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. -Genesis 1:27

I see things in him that reflect the image of God.

He never makes you feel like he is in a hurry. I see him being intentional at being  present(yes... putting the phone away to chat). We are so grateful to celebrate the day he was born! He marks another  year and begins another trip around the sun. 

Today, I am grateful for Walker.