Drink from your own well...

 Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 152: Today, I am grateful for reminders to "drink from your own well." 

One year I focused on "enough" as my one little word to ponder and pray on for 365 days. It worked its way into many gratitude posts. This verse is one I missed:

"Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well." -Proverbs 5:15

If you read the whole chapter, it is clearly focusing on the way adultery destroys far more than a marriage. It creates waves far beyond the house walls it tears down. 

Yet, there is a wisdom far greater. To be content with what you have is what makes a person truly rich. A bigger, grander home is not evidence of happiness. The proof is in the tabloids. 

To have people around a table that is rich with love, laughter, and conversation is the best kind of wealth. To have a common core that embraces faith adds strength to the family fabric that keeps us warm on a cold winter night and together in the darkest valleys of life's troubles. Caring for and drinking from your own well is a solid decision we all have to make daily. 

"Love generously" is a sign that hangs on our wall. It is a good daily reminder when I wake up every morning. If loving well makes a better life... it starts at home.

Today, I am grateful for reminders to "drink from your own well." 

An Old-Fashioned Book

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 151: Today, I am grateful for an old-fashioned book. 

I love to read. Wandering through a library or bookstore is a special way to spend leisure time. My Mama Ina Mae read slowly, but she retained what she read. She and Aunt Judy kept me in books for all of my childhood and youth. 

The Love of My Life gifted me with a book Grandma Marge originally gave me as a teen (it disappeared in college). It was full of quotes, poems and short stories. That book is always near when I am writing my gratitude posts. It is called "One Thousand Beautiful Things." 

I love an old fashioned book in my hands. It is easy on the eyes and you can see the progress as you turn each page. Some books, I am sad to finish because the characters have become friends. These days, I do appreciate larger fonts, that I know e-reader fans appreciate. 

As a huge fan of audiobooks, I count each book as "read." Still, my favorites I want to have in hardback, paper form. This morning, we had a power outage and I picked up a real book. A favorite that is now an "old friend." When the wi-fi goes down and the electricity is gone... a well lit window and a physical book are perfect companions.  

Books have always been collected, treasured, and shared. 

"When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments." -2 Timothy 4:13

Seriously... it is very much like some of the texts I have exchanged with my family and friends. 

Today, I am grateful for an old-fashioned book.

Flowers Along the Way

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 150: Today, I am grateful for flowers along the way.

This time of year, the purchased flowers have had a few weeks in the pots and are starting to fill out. The pops of color in other people's yards always make me smile. Flowers add so much color to our world. 

As you make your daily drive or walk to the ordinary places, don't forget to enjoy the flowers growing. As spring flowers turn into summer's blooms, there is a kaleidoscope of colors. 

"The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."  -Genesis 1:12

It is very good!

Today, I am grateful for flowers along the way.

No Bake Cookies

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 149: Today, I am grateful for "No Bake Cookies."

If whimsy was a cookie, I think it might be a "No Bake Cookie." It has been a long day, so I am writing this post quite late. When pondering my post, this recipe came up. Oh, how we love this cookie.

I grew up with it. So did the love of my life. It is a fan favorite for many generations. No matter the weather, these are always a hit. As Americans, it holds many of our favorite ingredients including peanut butter and chocolate. The fact that they end up on wax paper to cool means a few disappear before they are ever put away. Does oatmeal make them a breakfast food? 

One time we made them with all of Randy's siblings at Lola's house. We had the best time. Some of life's best memories are made in the kitchen. 

Today, I am grateful for "No Bake Cookies."

Whimsy

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 148: Today, I am grateful for whimsy. 

The world needs more whimsy! The thought in this image is really talking about the whimsy that makes the difference in our days. 

"I cannot stress enough how important it is to do silly, frivolous things that serve no other purpose than making you happy." 

I love a rainbow of pen colors and a world filled with glitter, sparkle, and sunshine. Fresh flowers are good for the soul... and dandelions are the first flowers a child ever collects for a loved one. 

Wildflowers are full of wonder. They grow in unexpected places. They add color to the landscape. They are surprisingly resilient.

And... to top off my morning... one of my forever favorite verses was my verse of the day: 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." -Romans 12:15

It feels like a gift when a favorite verse pops up. Earworm is singing "You make me feel like dancing... I wanna dance the night away." (Leo Sayer- 1976) I guess it doesn't matter if it is morning. Plan for dancing in the kitchen (or work hallways), spin in sunshine, and invite others into the goodness so easily missed. 

Today, I am grateful for whimsy. 

Finished Courses

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 147: Today, I am grateful for finished courses. 

A finished course can refer to many things. A finished race, a finished academic class or grade level, or ending up where you want to be at the end of the road. 

In every endeavor, there is learning. Every course has its struggles and learning spots. From a 10K race to a trip across America on old Route 66. There are things to observe, learn, and when necessary... recalculate. 

Anyone else remember GPS practically shouting "recalculating" if you take a wrong turn or intentionally go off the instructed course. It could be annoying, but the goal was to keep us from getting lost. Sometimes there is joy in the unplanned and unexpected detours. Other times, we end up where we do not want to be. 

Luke reminds us in the Book of Acts to live our lives with real purpose and finish the course. Know what matters. There are times the detours bring important moments. Unexpected in our plan is not a surprise to the One who set the stars in the sky and the earth the perfect distance from the sun. 

How many times did Jesus connect with people in places that the disciples did not expect him to lead? Our God shows up in unexpected places on the course with strength, encouragement, hope, and purpose. 

Press on. Finish today's race with the confidence that He will provide a way. 

"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." -Acts 20:24

Today, I am grateful for finished courses. 

Those Who Save the Day

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 146: Today, I am grateful for those who save the day.

They come with extra sunscreen, extra water, the safety pin, and the Tylenol. They have dental floss and rubber bands, too. They are always prepared. You know who they are. They are the ones who "save the day." 

"Let's Make a Deal" was a game show that used to see what women had in their purses as part of the game. It was a fun part of the show and reminded us of the crazy things that end up in a woman's purse because someone said, "Hold this." On occasion, those items come in handy. Other times, they get lost in the crooks and hidden pockets. Sometimes, they save the day. 

This verse reminds me of the One who really did save the day. Isaiah, Psalm, and other prophecies fulfilled beyond what would seem mathematically possible. Two thousand years later, the name of Jesus is still echoing into a world that is broken, lost, and very dark. It would have been easier to walk away when you have the ability to start again. Yet, the idea of a relationship chosen... not forced but by free will... it was different. His gift became our choice.  

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." -John 3:17

It is the choice that saves the day; it saves eternity. 

Today, I am grateful for those who save the day.