Joy Bubbles

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 280: Today, I am grateful that joy bubbles.

"Joy is that bright, warming feeling of complete delight that bubbles up from within, making you feel fully alive and connected to the moment." 

I have been leaning into fall, but this image caught my eye and the quote is so true. Joy bubbles.  It springs up from within and bursts. It feels like light and fresh air. It can be unexpected. It is the soul singing. 

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. ~Proverbs 17:22 

Remember the old "Pop Rocks" candy? It made a sizzling sound on your tongue. You knew what would happen every time, but it still was surprising, perhaps because it was unusual. 

I try not to drink traditional soda, but I do love carbonation in my beverages. Poppi's Christmas Cranberry Fizz will be coming out soon (please, Costco) for the holiday season. I discovered it after the holidays last year. I am grateful  for my niece, Monica and my friend, Julie, for sharing a few cans over the long dry spell. They have gifted me with joy. 

My favorite example of joy is a baby's belly laughter. There is nothing like it. 

True joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Happiness is momentary. Joy comes from deep inside and is quite often partnered with contentment. 

Today, I am grateful that joy bubbles. 

"Sit Outside" Days

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 279: Today, I am grateful for "sit outside" days. 

Spring and fall are the best in Illinois. The temperatures can be not too hot, not too cold, and the humidity not uncomfortable. They are my favorite days of the year to sit outside. 

To sit outside means taking in the nature around you. In the fall, the squirrels are busy. The butterflies are everywhere and the hummingbirds stop by for a sip of nectar as they prepare for the return to warmer places for the winter. 

Sitting outside is an intentional act of slowing down. Taking in nature is an intentional observation of God's provision. Celebrating the ordinary can be extraordinary. 

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” – Matthew 6:28-29

It calms the spirit and refreshes the soul when we pause to sit outside on ordinary days. 

Today, I am grateful for "sit outside" days. 

Antique Reminders

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 278: Today, I am grateful for antique reminders. 

"Maybe we aren't obsessed with antiques because of how they look. Maybe we're just trying to rebuild the slower life we didn't realize we were losing."  

This thought strikes me as a good way to start the work week. "Antiques Roadshow" has become a "comfort show" for me that I often fall asleep watching. I grew up appreciating antiques and items from simpler times. 

In the home I grew up in, some antiques were still being used if there was no good reason to replace them. My mind quickly goes to a meat grinder Mama used to make what she called "pressed chicken." It was a beast of a grinder and it did the job well. 

The part of this quote that sticks with me is that we are "trying to rebuild the slower life we didn't realize we were losing." In this instant age, it seems we might be realizing the value of things done slowly, deliberately, and repeatedly. Like the steady beat of the human heart, we do not want to move through life too fast or too slow. Take in each day and look for the unwrapped gifts. Find the opportunities to slow down and take it all in. 

One example is the coffee pot brewing. At work, we have a Bunn coffee maker, which by today's standards is not the fastest way to brew a cup of coffee. A Bunn is not slow, but it is not instant. If you have never tried French Press to brew coffee, give it a try. The coffee is delicious and the ritual is comforting. 

I cannot help but think of the old percolator coffee pot at Grandpa Lindgren's house. It was plugged in first thing in the morning, probably before chores... and the heavenly brew would be ready when he returned from the chickens and cattle. That scent filled the kitchen most of the day. If there was any left in the afternoon, it was the epitome of the phrase "so thick you can stand a spoon in it." Oh the memories. 

Antiques remind us of the many ordinary items we consider luxuries. Do we find ourselves longing for a slower pace? We can not slow down the clock, but we can slow down in the moment. This scripture seemed the perfect reminder:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” – Psalm 23:1-3

Today, I am grateful for antique reminders. 

The Power of One

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 277: Today, I am grateful for the power of one. 

"Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and if possible... speak a few sensible words." -Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832)

This was written at a time when not everyone could read or have access to books. Goethe was considered a "polymath" because he was very knowledgeable on many subjects. It is funny that he articulates that many of the words spoken are not always sensible. Isn't it funny that the same thing could be said today?

One is not insignificant. One can make a difference. One person can change the trajectory of our lives for better and for worse. One act of kindness can restore hope. One encouraging word can reshape a moment or change the course of a hard day. Oh, the power of one!

I love this reminder that one soul who finds "The Way... the Truth...and the Life" can cause heaven to break out in rejoicing. 

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." -Luke 15:7

One. I will never get over the "one"der of it all. 

Today, I am grateful for the power of one. 

Measuring Spoons

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 276: Today, I am grateful for measuring spoons. 

For me, love is shown in the kitchen. I enjoy feeding people. Growing up in Mama Ina Mae's family meant we had to know how to cook from scratch. We dried dishes (with flour sack towels) and when the sisters were there, singing might break out along with the laughter. 

Our first measuring tool was a measuring spoon. We had to grow into using the measuring cups. Those tiny spoons added ingredients that would make or break a recipe if we added too little or too much. 

Think about it. Salt, baking soda, baking powder, and spices are usually measured with measuring spoons. It is quite a bit of power in a child's hands. Have I ever mentioned that my Mama had the patience of Job?

We made mistakes. Mama never took our spoons away. She always let us try again with the lesson learned. (April once mixed up baking powder and baking soda in cookies. The incident is legendary in our family. Ask Randy.) The measuring spoon is tiny but might.  Honestly, April and I were both able to cook meals long before we were teenagers. What a gift it was to grow up with encouragement in the kitchen. 

Measuring spoons measure the small amounts over a pinch or a dash. I prefer the ones that have etched or embossed amounts that last forever. They get plenty of use in my kitchen. They can be a gift that lasts a lifetime. 

This might be a new addition to my favorite scriptures. It speaks to the importance of balance and right proportions. In context, it is about generosity and the hearts of the givers. Be generous with cups of love and encouragement; sprinkle and dash correction with a side of kindness. The "Spirit of Correctiveness" is not a "Fruit of the Spirit." 

As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” -2 Corinthians 8:15

I am grateful to be reminded that the right amount is just that... the right amount. 

Today, I am grateful for measuring spoons. 

A Weekend Wedding

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 275: Today, I am grateful for a weekend wedding.

There is nothing like a wedding to remind us of the wonder of love. Love is a choice we make every day. Love is days of smiles and laughter... and there are days when you are exhausted and maybe even grumpy. Love says, "I choose you!" on those days and every day in-between. We are excited to celebrate with this young couple. 

I can only imagine the excitement of the bride and groom as the countdown to "Mr. and Mrs." begins. We saw the bride's parents get married. And, we remember when the Bride and her sister were dedicated at church. To see her grow up and into the woman she has become makes our hearts full. To see her love and be loved fully and deeply in return... it is as good as it gets. 

On the other side of the coin, my Mama's best friend (along with Aunt Judy) went to heaven and her life was celebrated on Sunday and Monday. I was unable to attend, but I have a link and will watch it this weekend. We called her "Aunt" Marilyn because "Mrs." was too formal for one so close but we needed the respect of a title. We went through life with several "Aunts" and "Uncles" that were by love and not by birth or marriage. (We had extra Grandparents, too.) Aunt Marilyn helped Mama with our weddings and she was always present.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son." -Matthew 22:2

There are earthly celebrations and heavenly ones, too. Both remind us that love is truly the greatest truly a gift. 

Today, I am grateful for a weekend wedding. 

The Unexpected

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 274: Today, I am grateful for the unexpected.   

This picture cracked me up. 

"I'll be honest, I never in a million years thought I'd catch one of you guys. But right now, I need you to help me get down."

 Our Daisy Mae's biggest nemesis is a squirrel in the backyard. That squirrel gets quite sassy with her. She never loses interest. It is as if she is sure she will catch it one of these days. She won't. She simply is not fast enough and cannot climb trees. 

If she did catch it, it would be unexpected. There are times that we get the unexpected and are not quite sure what to do with it. The unexpected often slows us down, which can be a good thing. There are times we need to pause and pivot. 

The Bible is full of the unexpected. I think of Mary and Joseph and the unexpected circumstances around her pregnancy and the birth of Jesus. They became masters of the pause and pivot when the unexpected came their way. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

To be called, carried, or guided into the unexpected can feel like a test. The test often becomes the testimony. 

Today, I am grateful for the unexpected.