Nice Sounds

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 259: Today, I am grateful for nice sounds.

A List of Nice Sounds:

*Rain on the window pane
*Leaves rustling in the wind
*A crackling fire
*Turning book pages
*Distant church bells
*Quiet Voices
*Crickets chirping on a still summer night. 

In a world full of noise and distractions, a reminder to focus on "nice sounds" is a worthy way to spend a little part of the day. 

Crickets are chirping right now. The sound of an early morning garbage pick up reminds me to be thankful for the service. The sound of the coffee maker brewing is always sweet music to the ears and the scent is divine. The gentle tap on the computer keys is soothing for me. 

Nice sounds calm us and give a gentle entry into a new day or a restful one when day is done. 

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing His praise from the ends of the earth.” – Isaiah 42:10

A new song can be a gentle hum. I am reminded that praise does not need to be shouted as I listen to this morning's quiet combination of nature mixed with morning sounds. 

Today, I am grateful for nice sounds.

Be the Light

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 258: Today, I am grateful for reminders to be the light.

"Maybe your purpose is to light the way for others who are still searching..." 

"Light" has been a word I've used in the past to ponder and pray on. It is still one of my favorites. The science of light is masterfully designed by a God who called it "good" in the very beginning. 

Light is so powerful that a single candle can break the darkness. It is not easily hidden. How many lives has the lighthouse saved over the centuries? When all seems hopeless or lost, light breaks through the darkness with gentle power. 

As the days are getting shorter, we tend to treasure the light more. We appreciate the time we have in daylight, because we know it is limited in the fall and winter days. 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." -Matthew 5:15

You do not know who is searching for the Light of the World. Shine on, anyway. 

Today, I am grateful for reminders to be the light.

The Little Things

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 257: Today, I am grateful for the little things.  

"And one day you realize it was never about the big things. You realize it's actually about the little moments that feel like magic. It's about the simplest of seconds that make you smile. It's about the genuine experiences that fill your heart with joy. It's about the conversations that make you believe in kindness and compassion. It's about the hugs you want to hold for that little bit longer. It's about surrounding yourself with people that feel like sunshine. It's about the moments of peace and stillness that prove how beautiful the world can be. It was never about the big things."  -Pooh Memes 

There is a television channel, a social media platform, and an internet destination that sows the seeds of discontentment in our hearts. We forget how truly blessed we are when we are bombarded with messages about better, best, and more. I am reminded that "less is more" in many cases. 

Focus on the honest, the simple, and the true blessings that fill our days. Hot, clean water is one of them. Heat and air-conditioning is another. A car that runs, food in the pantry and plenty of toilet paper are daily blessings we take for granted. People who are happy to see you when you arrive. Hugs. These things are priceless. 

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This week, look for the little things that are really the big things. 

Pumpkin Festival Week

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 256: Today, I am grateful for Pumpkin Festival Week. 

It is almost here... and I cannot wait. The anticipation feels a little like Christmas in Morton, IL. The children have been counting the days. Parents have a plan for extra expenses that come with the festival, and figure out a way to make it all work. Our little community comes together (Morton & Groveland) with the power of volunteerism and a Chamber of Commerce that performs small miracles getting everything ready and keeping it running. 

Some joke it is Morton's World's Fair, but in truth, people have come from around the world to be a part of the celebration. They come for the pumpkin ice cream, the pumpkin donuts, the pumpkin chili, and so many other special festival related favorites. 

CBS did a spot on their Sunday Morning show and it was exciting to see so many familiar faces, including the ones cutting the ribbon (next door neighbor Jim Ackerman & Dave Neuhauser (church family and Walker's birthday buddy) and making the chili (Joe Sander & Troy Teater). I need to rewatch it, as I missed some faces the first time or two through the video. 

The video shows the love for "all things pumpkin" here in Morton, but it shows more. The young ladies interviewed were delightful. I giggled at their word choice when asked if there was anything they didn't like... and they used "vile" to describe the smell that comes with the rotting pumpkin carcasses when Nestle/Libby's is finished with them. It is a temporary smell, but for a time when the wind is right... "vile" is a kind word for the aroma. 

I still remember Walker saying he rolled down the window to take in the "pumpkin stink" when he came home for the festival his first year away at college. Allison Vastine and I talked about it, too. That aroma is associated with so many happy, fun, and fabulous memories, it becomes easy to overlook it. 

The more pleasant scents are elephant ears, corn dogs, pork chops, brats, and rib eye on the Pumpkin Grill. It is the best of carnival foods, rides, and games. The parade is always long and filled with reminders of the people, business, and churches in our neighborhood. How early is too early to put out your parade chairs? 

Jefferson School (K-6th) has a front row seat and it amazes me that they can get any learning accomplished in the festival chaos, but they do. Most Jefferson teachers weave pumpkins and the festival into whatever they are teaching that week. They are proud to have the festival on school grounds. 

My verse of the day was perfect:

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." -1 Peter 3:8

We will all be burning the candle on both ends this week and worth every minute of lost sleep as we try to fit it all in. Remember to be kind and forgiving. 

In three more wake ups... it is Uncle Bud's Apple Cider Slushie Day!!! A slushie a day until the festival goes away and sometimes two on Saturday. (This is my personal obsession... although I love pumpkin.)

Today, I am grateful for Pumpkin Festival Week.  

Commanded to Rejoice

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 255: Today, I am grateful for power in the commandment to rejoice. 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" -Philippians 4:4

There is an old praise chorus that is this scripture set to song. It is easily sung in a round and the children always enjoyed it. There is something about singing in a round that brings something fresh to worship. I love how it starts out with just a few voices and ends in the same way. 

It is easy to fall into the worries and the woes as we walk through our day, but we are given clear direction. We are to rejoice in the Lord, not our circumstances... because they can change quickly. His love and faithfulness are steady and true... even when we have troubles. 

Our niece, Kenzie, never said she had a problem when she was little. She would say, "I have troubles." I still smile when I think of it, not because it was funny, but because she was so sincere in her declaration. She was independent and didn't necessarily want help. Sometimes, she just wanted an encouraging word until she figured it out. We could almost see her thinking. Then a big smile would come and she would be on her way with a happy heart. 

Sometimes we have to sit with the troubles for a bit, but even in trials, we are reminded to rejoice in His faithfulness in all of our days. 

"True happiness is to rejoice in the truth, for to rejoice in the truth is to rejoice in You, O God, who are the truth... Those who think that there is another kind of happiness look for joy elsewhere, but theirs is not true joy."  -Saint Augustine

Today, I am grateful for power in the commandment to rejoice.

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.