Choose What We Water

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 262: Today, I am grateful we can choose which thoughts we water. 

"It's the thoughts we water each day that become the garden we live in." 

The summer is slipping into fall. The flowers we have enjoyed all summer are being replaced by more cold weather hardy plants. They all need water to survive. Water makes the difference in what lives and flourishes. 

Our thoughts can act as "water," so we must... at times... guard the thoughts that flow from our heart.  

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." -Proverbs 4:23 

Today, I am grateful we can choose which thoughts we water. 

Huffle-Buffs: Old Faves

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 261: Today, I am grateful for "huffle-buffs."

Huffle-Buffs (Scots) those old, worn out, yet comfortable items of clothing. 

Finding new words always feels like finding hidden treasure. This one has Scottish origins. It is an old Scots dialect word.

I've seen it used to describe clothing, but blankets, too. For me, it would especially work for some old coats and favorite shoes. I did my part to keep Fred's Shoe Repair in business when it was a convenient drop off in Peoria. Fred would always start with "this is the last time we can repair these boots or shoes." I knew he was right, but it was hard. He was gentle and seemed to understand. That final warning gave me time to start looking for the right replacement. 

I think the huffle-buffs are the things that by the time you are ready to part with them, you would be embarrassed to donate them. They are cozy, comfy, and spark sweet memories. Just writing about them makes me smile. 

"But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." -1 Timothy 6:8

To be comfortable and content is as good as it gets. 

Today, I am grateful for "huffle-buffs."

Who Stands With You?

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 260: Today, I am grateful for the ones who stand in the rain with you. 

"It's about who stands in the rain with you, when they also have a choice to be dry. Remember that."

When I saw this, Earworm started singing an old song by Superchick. "Stand in the Rain." (If you are new here, Earworm sings the songs that get stuck in your head and won't go away.) It is a great old song that is filled with the reminder that there are hard times, but we get through them. There are times we simply have to stand in the rain and stand our ground. There are times the rain falls. 

"Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” -Deuteronomy 3:22

There will be lonely days, hard days, and rainy days, but we are not alone. 

Knowing that, when you find a human who chooses to stand with you in the rain when they could choose to be dry... that is someone to remember, honor, and cherish.  Simple acts of kindness can feel like an umbrella on a rainy day... or hope when it seems lost. 

Today, I am grateful for the ones who stand in the rain with you. 

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.