A Grateful Soul

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 236: Today, I am grateful that a "grateful soul makes you whole." 

In this 14th year of gratitude, I do not think I have seen this little quote:

"A grateful soul will make you whole." Gratitude is such a powerful way to approach and problem or any day. It is not "rose colored glasses." It is a reality check. Gratitude is a  heavy hitter in the hard days and tough times. 

Feeling "whole" is a direct reflection of our relationship with the One who created it. When we offer prayers of gratitude, it does not change God. It changes us. That was my lesson in the first year of Daily Gratitude, and it continues to be my favorite. He delights in our expressions of gratitude, but he does not need it... we do! 

Are days are illuminated when we see them through the eyes of gratitude. We see more God... we see people better, too. Our hearts are more tender when we are looking for the hurts and struggles in people. Our compassion grows with our gratitude.  

Revelation (the last book of the Bible) declares that the persecution of the church will continue to grow. Are we ready? Recently, I find myself praying that the church will continue protections that allow it to be a vessel that helps it feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and shelter... especially for the sick, widows, and orphans. 

Our congregation just completed 1500 school kits that provide the most simple, but necessary school supplies. A mission team last winter was able to see them in use on a trip to Africa. It is a powerful reminder that the little things can go far.

We have church related and sponsored food banks in town that help feed people here at home and abroad. People of faith help stock the shelves and help pack the food that is sent out. People coming together in those moments are always joyful. Helping hands yield happy hearts.

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him." -Mark 12:30-32

I have to note, we have a little bar downtown that has a little food pantry out in the open by the door. Anyone in need at the moment can take from the shelves. That small business is loving its neighbors, too. Small towns have big hearts. 

When seasons come with challenges, the grateful soul response changes us from the inside out. 

Today, I am grateful that a "grateful soul makes you whole." 

Support & Consolation

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 235: Today, I am grateful for His support and consolation. 

No one likes the feeling of losing their footing. It is why we are fascinated with the animals that seem to navigate steep and rocky terrain almost flawlessly where humans would struggle. It is mesmerizing to watch them run, leap, and jump where we would fear a fall. 

Animals were designed to live in and adapt to their environment over time. It is a wonder and wonderful at the same time. 

Humans are different. We were designed for relationship and companionship with God. We need Him and each other. We can attempt to go it alone, but it is a road that leads to confusion and feeling lost. We need His support and consolation. 

This passage offers encouragement and perspective:

"When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." Psalm 94:18-19

I loved reading it in several translations. I am not sure which is my favorite. If we were always as surefooted as the elk or deer, would we forget that we need Him? When we slip or fall, we look for comfort from His hand. 

Natalie Grant's song, "Held,"  talks about the pain of loss and the companionship of grief. The hurt cuts deep and the emptiness is real. It is in those moments we know what it means to be held. Our God does not abandon His children. In His embrace, we can finally rest and breathe. 

Today, I am grateful for His support and consolation. 

The Same Waters

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 234: Today, I am grateful the same waters change when HE steps into the story. 

"He sent them back into the same waters that failed them,  just to show that nothing is truly empty when He steps into the story. " 

It is true. They fished all night but caught nothing. They were ready to call the night a failure, as they brought in the nets.

Some days, months, and seasons produce nothing more than discouragement. It can be hard to get out of bed and face the day when it seems the day holds little promise. We forget that He is the true agent of change. He is the one who brings goodness from the same waters that had only seem to produce disappointment. 

"Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” -Luke 6:5-6

Pastor Doane spoke from this passage years ago. It is still a favorite of mine. "Because you say so, I will" is an act of obedience, even when discouragement runs deep. When the nets come in the next time, they are bursting with fish. Obedience in this instance, came before trust. The result was a profound outcome. 

How many times do we miss His best for us, because we fight for control? For me, it might be a daily battle. We tend to live our days in "the same waters." We forget how powerful and life-changing His presence is in our ordinary moments in the regular days. 

He is always present. He is always good.  

Today, I am grateful the same waters change when HE steps into the story. 

Hope Goes Another Round

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 233: Today, I am grateful to go another round. 

"People speak of hope as if it is this delicate, ephemeral thing made of whispers and spider webs. It's not. Hope has dirt on her face, blood on her knuckles, the grit of cobblestones in her hair, and just spat out a tooth as she rises for another go."

The quote struck like a spring of freshwater in the desert. "Earworm" (the one singing the song stuck in your head) has been singing Emerson Day's song, "Get Behind Me" since yesterday. My favorite line is "In case you forgot, let me tell you the truth, you're stuck under my blood-bought boots." 

My verse of the day is: "By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life."-Psalm 42:8

Combine the two and I see hope wearing "blood-bought stiletto heeled boots" because if the enemy is getting stomped, why not? Since, I am confident I could not even walk... let alone stomp... in stiletto heeled boots, it makes the image more powerful for me. 

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." -Hebrews 11:1

Take on the day with confidence. Finger-comb your hair, get up, and go another round. You've got the boots for it! 

Today, I am grateful to go another round. 

Pray for Clarity

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 232: Today, I am grateful we can pray for clarity. 

Sometimes we misunderstand the question or the expectation. It happens to us all at one time or another. This image captures the potential embarrassment in those situations with humor. 

"At the interview, Steve is asked if he can perform under pressure. Steve is not 100% sure he knows all the lyrics... but he's about to try his best." 

Misunderstandings are a part of life. There are times we get our words wrong or we act unintentionally hurtful because of lack of clarity. Lack of clarity can lead to wasted energy and unproductive labor. Asking for clarity is an important life-skill that shows thoughtfulness and the desire to do something well. 

Clarification questions are game changers. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for clarity before going to the cross. His path did not change, but he was clear on the mission. 

This is a favorite scripture for many. It is a reminder to wholly trust God, even when things get rough. Submission changes our hearts and allows His work to unfold.     

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” -Proverbs 3:5-6

Today, I am grateful we can pray for clarity. 

The New Day's Promise

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 231: Today, I am grateful for the new day's promise.

"I hope you have the best day today. All the lights are green, random things make you smile, and everything goes your way." 

It sounds like the recipe for an excellent day. For the most part, it is. A new day is a chance to start over. Put down yesterday's weariness and struggles and start fresh. 

In that "best day" scenario, remember that a red light might mean that you notice the amazing flowers in a nearby pot, animals at play, and an encouraging message on a bumper sticker. Red lights are not all bad. 

Delight in the random things that we too often are too busy to see. The power of intentionality is real. Use the pause. 

I do need the reminder that "everything going my way" can mean leaving out the things God has planned. It is good to leave room for the unexpected movement of God's hand in our days. Embrace and dance in the "perfect days," but leave room for God to move. It can be frustrating at the moment, but His ways are better than our way. 

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." -Psalm 118:24

Today, I am grateful for the new day's promise.

Humility's Measuring Stick

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 230: Today, I am grateful for humility as a measuring stick. 

"A discontented heart breeds critical words, but humility asks God for perspective."

The words that tumble out of our mouths are revealing at times. Criticism can crush the human spirit when it is delivered without love and a true sense of helping someone grow. All of us have things we can do better. To be covered in love and encouragement through the struggles can powerfully change outcomes at home, at work, and at play. 

It is so easy to let words fly. It is difficult to undo hurts that touch the soul. 

"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." -Matthew 15:18

Humility is a measuring stick. When the thoughts that want to puke out of our mouths come, do we pause in humility to seek God's mind, heart, and perspective? The lashes of a critical tongue cut deeply and heal slowly. Humility does not always need words. In fact, it most often shows up to work quietly side-by-side with the one who is struggling. 

Perhaps, the greatest act of humility ever observed was God taking on human skin, evidence of His opinion that we are worth saving. 

Today, I am grateful for humility as a measuring stick.