Times of Remembering

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 254: Today, I am grateful for times of remembering.

25 years... it seems like forever ago in some ways and in others, the raw emotion of those days is never far from the surface. The skies went strangely silent. There was no air traffic for days. 

The names, the faces, and the stories kept coming... from the planes, from the towers, from the firehouses, and from the families. The courage and sacrifice of our first responders and heroic responses from ordinary people caught in an extraordinary moment in time. 

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13

Words are not quite adequate to capture the feeling we found ourselves swimming in for the first days and throughout that first year post 9-11. It was as if we were holding our breath, waiting for what came next. 

In some ways, that breath has never been fully exhaled. Still, the other thing I remember the most about those days is how it united us as a country. For a season, we were just Americans wrapped in the strength of everything "Old Glory" represents. We are better together. A house divided cannot stand. Character, integrity, and love are stronger than hate. 

I will never forget the many "God Wink" stories of people late to work that day for appointments, missed trains, first days of school, and more. It is truly shocking how many were spared because of unexpected inconveniences or one a year live events. I think of it as "the shadow of His wings." 

May our love be stronger than hate. May we grow in wisdom and understanding. Let us seek to tune our heart to His Spirit, so that we sense evil when it is present. May we love mercy, seek justice, and walk humbly with our God.

Today, I am grateful for times of remembering.  

5000 Day Doxology

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 253: Today, I am grateful for 5000 days in gratitude.

What was the date 5000 days ago from today? January 1, 2013 is the answer. It was the first day of a personal challenge to post something I am grateful for every day for the month of January. The previous months had some tough stuff, and the winter was still ahead. I do not love winter. At the end of January, I decided to go another month, because I could feel the difference that the simple practice made in my daily life. 

January turned to February... and February into March. I realized by April the power of the simple act of recording thankfulness in the good times... and even more so when it was hard. 

Over the years, it has grown. I started adding favorite quotes, shared images from Pinterest and Facebook, and eventually a scripture on most days, because there always seemed to be a passage that fit the gratitude. His Word really does have something for every day. 

December 31, 2026, will mark the completion of 14 years (5112 days). I always have to make the decision to stop or press on with public sharing. I continue to learn from the daily practice, as it keeps me focused on His faithfulness in all seasons of life... weather seasons and good versus hard times. 

My earliest church memories were at the little Congregational Church in Clifton, IL. Grandpa Lindgren taught us quiet things to do with our hands as he fed us Brach's hard candies to keep us quiet. Mom was at the organ. Dad was often ushering. The service always ended with the traditional Doxology:

 "Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A-men."

I think that might have been the first seed of thanksgiving that took root in my heart. It was a reminder for all that has breath to give thanks. 

"I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." -Isaiah 46:4

Today, I am grateful for 5000 days in gratitude.

Lessons in Self Control

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 252: Today, I am grateful for lessons in self control. 

Titus 2:2 was my verse of the day. Paul's letters to Titus are full of good instructions for living well in all seasons of life. He speaks about living well in community. Today's verse addresses older men, but it has good lessons for everyone. 

"Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience." -Titus 2:2

One of Dad's favorite sayings was, "It takes a long time to screw an old man's head on a young man's body." In other words, maturity takes time, life lessons, mistakes, and experiences. You can read for wisdom and forget the instruction. Living the mistakes and victories makes them stick. 

Lessons in self control are even more challenging in a world with social media. Never have we lived in a world where it is more challenging to sort out truth from fiction and A.I. Things are said and done that cannot be unseen and undone. The internet has a long memory. Wise words are better than words spewed in anger. 

Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Does it show love and patience? Self control is an exercise every day that is worth practicing. If something needs to be spoken, let it brew, let it stew, and let His word lead the conversation. Not in bits and pieces, but in context with self control. 

Today, I am grateful for lessons in self control. 

Dress for the Day

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 251: Today, I am grateful we can "dress for the day."

A long time ago... in a galaxy far away... well, actually, it was forty years ago at Olivet Nazarene University, we had to "dress for the day." I remember friends who went to U of I and ISU talking about rolling into class in sweatpants. I couldn't even imagine it, nor could they imagine putting on actual, respectable clothing daily.

I've always preferred dresses to pants. I am truly my mother's daughter. We were allowed to wear dress pants, but it was never my first choice. Jeans weren't legally permitted until after 5 p.m. We had to wear dress clothes during the school week and on Sundays. Miraculously, we survived without physical injury and emerged at graduation with fully functional professional closets.

Even back then, the dress code rules seemed ridiculous and archaic to some. Science has since weighed in on the matter, with studies on classroom attire yielding mixed results. But let's be honest: how you show up matters. First impressions—whether in a job interview or on exam day—signal that you mean business and are actually prepared.

I love sparkle, glitter, and shine. (If it doesn't catch the light, is it even worth wearing?) Yet, I am reminded that it’s far more important to shine from the inside-out."

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." -1 Peter 3:3-4

The gals in this picture are ready for a Target run, a trip to Walmart, or coffee with friends. The only thing missing? Tiaras. Honestly, I find them inspiring.

So, dress for the day with your own sense of style. Be comfortable in your own skin. Be unapologetically yourself. Wear whatever helps you take on the world.

Today, I am grateful we can "dress for the day."

Grace in Breaking Camp

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 250: Today, I am grateful for the grace in "breaking camp." 

I read this passage today and it came alive in a different way than it ever has before. When God says it is time to move... we had better move. 

“When we were at Mount Sinai, the Lord our God said to us, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough.  It is time to break camp and move on." -Deuteronomy 1:6-7a

I dug into the passage a little bit. It was where they were when God gave Moses the 10 Commandments. It is where they felt some spiritual highs and lows. They literally had miracle manna every morning and no one went hungry or thirsty. They did get bored with the menu. 

God allows different spaces and places for us to learn to know him better. Whenever it is time to move on from what is comfortable, it is not easy. It does not mean that the next place will not be good or even better. It does not mean the journey will be a piece of manna. Still, when it is time to break camp, we have to trust His hand and His heart. 

Today, I am grateful for the grace in "breaking camp." 

Your "Yellow"

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 249: Today, I am grateful for the "yellows" in our days.

I love the color yellow. It makes me think of Jennifer, Lola (Sisters-in-Love), and Emma (Daughter-in-Love). My love for it has grown because of them. It is one of the happiest colors in the spectrum. It is a primary color, making it necessary for other blended colors. 

"Who is your yellow?" 

"Yellow is someone who brings sunshine into your life without even trying. They're your warmth on a bad day, your loudest laugh, your comfort in silence. They brighten even your darkest moments just by being there."

The "yellow" people are warm, constant and true. They show up when you need them most and they stay. 

"I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts," -Colossians 4:8 

I am grateful for those who bring the "yellow" to our days. 

Today, I am grateful for the "yellows" in our days. 

Reminders Not To Judge

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 248: Today, I am grateful for the reminder to not judge others. 

"We witness other people's storms from the shelter of our own perspectives. Let us be mindful that we don't add the cold rain of judgement to their already soaked spirits." -Liz Newman

The phrase "the cold rain of judgment" creates a powerful image. It holds no encouragement, comfort, or hope.  When people are hurting, a spirit of corrective-ness is not a "Fruit of the Spirit." 

Love lifts others up. Listening builds relationships. The storms do not last forever.  

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." -Matthew 7:1-2

Today, I am grateful for the reminder to not judge others.