Dress With Intention

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 171: Today, I am grateful for a reminder to dress with intention. 

"Dress like you have a brunch reservation, even if you're just going to Target." 

The thought is a little old school. In college, we had to dress for the day. Jeans were after 5 p.m.  I am not that old, but my university stuck with that standard long past when others did. My classmates at other schools could wear sweats to class. 

I never minded, except in the dead of winter, with the lake effect winds up our skirts. For the most part, it taught us how to feel comfortable in professional clothing. I think it gave us an advantage in interviews when we graduated. I know that I am in the small minority with my opinion, but that is fine with me. I've always preferred skirts and dresses to dress pants or jeans. 

Now, I love comfy, cozy clothes that look dressed up and professional. Don't get me wrong. I've never liked clothes that are too tight. I guess it is why I love the gypsy, bohemian look with plenty of rings, bangles, and accessories or... in absolute contrast ... a simple sheath dress. My idea of jeans is a jean skirt. My two shoe seasons are sandals and boots. 

We don't dress fabulous every day, but dressing up to show up matters. For the guys, dressing up might mean switching from a t-shirt to a collared shirt. We do not have to be "fancy" to create clothes that make us feel good. Thrift and second hand stores have great treasures that you do not have to feel guilty wearing once or twice or ignoring the care labels. Upcycle, Recycle. Our clothes do not make us, but the do impact how we feel. 

Mama always said a little blush, lipstick, and mascara go a long way. They change how we feel, even if others do not notice the difference. I'm allergic to most blush, so I focus on dressing my eyes instead. Mama's words run through my head often. 

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." -1 Thessalonians 5:11

A kind word can fall at just the right time. If you see someone sparkle, encourage them. They may need a word of affirmation more than you now. 

Today, I am grateful for a reminder to dress with intention.

Keep On Keeping On

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 170: Today, I am grateful for the beauty in "keep on keeping on." 

Poetry has always been beautiful to me. This poem from Walt Whitman brought to mind the value and importance of "keep on keeping on." 

"The earth is rude, silent, incomprehensible at first; 
Be not discouraged - keep on-
there are divine things will envelop'd; 
I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell."

It reminds me of the days of waiting for the ground to warm enough to sprout the seeds sleeping in a blanket of dirt. Just when you are about to give up, new life begins. Spring green is full of warmth. Beauty is all around us if we pause to take in the wonder. 

The enemy of our souls speaks lies and discouragement. It is easy to forget that divine and beautiful things appear in God's time, not ours. Our job is to keep on keeping on. Pops of beauty appear in unexpected places. We often miss them in our hurry to "get through" this day. Even in the "keep on keeping on" seasons, there is wonder to be enjoyed. 

"Do not grow weary in doing good; at the right time, you will reap a harvest if you do not give up." -Galatians 6:9

Today, I am grateful for the beauty in "keep on keeping on." 

Healing Things

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 169: Today, I am grateful for healing things. 

"We can't heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, and an act of kindness." -Mary Davis

Mama Ina Mae always reminded us that healing takes time and patience. "Leave it alone" was often heard when we would mess with the typical wounds that happen when living wild and free. Scrapes, falls, and other small injuries occur when you are working or just having fun. 

100% aloe was her favorite wound care choice. From burns to growing new skin after Grandpa Harry lost a part of his foot under the lawnmower... aloe vera was her wound care solution. It always worked... to the surprise of the health care workers. Twice daily we dressed that foot. Matt remembers going with Dad to get the best brand of aloe vera... I think at the health food store. Grandma's aloe vera plants could not support the volume needed for twice daily care, but that is where we started. 

I am grateful for the lessons learned when we helped care for my grandparents, especially during those days when Grandma had Alzheimer's and Grandpa was recovering from that accident. I was caring for Grandma when Matt came in with Grandpa, his boot and foot partly missing. Matt was a kid and I was a teen. We had to problem-solve fast. There were no cell phones. No 911. Just quick thinking. And, although our hearts were racing, everyone tried to stay calm. Calm, gentleness, and compassion go a long way in a crisis and in the healing process. 

I recently used aloe vera for a burn from some boiling water. It still is a game changer. It is one of my favorite "healing things" to have on hand with the Watkins salve. I smile and think of Mama when I use them. 

The world is a mess. Aloe vera cannot heal all of the brokenness. It goes much deeper. Wounded souls take time to heal. A voice of compassion, a heart full of love, and acts of kindness can be like aloe vera on a wound. Healing sometimes requires that we do something different or "leave it alone" instead of picking at the wound. 

I am grateful for the Great Physician who gave us the "leaves of the trees for healing." He is the one who can restore our souls.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." -Psalm 147:3

Today, I am grateful for healing things. 

Quiet Blessings

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 168: Today, I am grateful for quiet blessings. 

There is nothing quite as peaceful as a favorite cup of a warm morning beverage accompanied by wildlife playing in the yard. Birds, squirrels, and bunnies abound on summer mornings. It is mostly quiet and definitely good for the soul. 

"Not every blessing is loud. Some arrive quietly, like birds at the feeder and peace settling into your soul."

Quiet blessings are the ones we forget to count. Our favorite people and fur babies around us add to the contentment. For those who are on summer break, there is an unhurriedness that is restorative. 

Other quiet blessings that come to mind are my large print Bibles and zooms on our screens and phones. Simple but game changers when we need them to be. 

Every day has moments that are simple, quiet, and very good. We are preparing for another round of storms here in "Heart of Illinois." It makes me more appreciative of the quiet blessings that surround us at the break of day. 

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;  they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." -Lamentations 3:22-23

Take in the calm before the storm, figuratively and literally. 

Today, I am grateful for quiet blessings. 

A Second Look

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 167: Today, I am grateful for a second look. 

This owl picture caught my eye. He is adorable. It reminded me of the power in perspective. Perspective is very much a part of daily life, including our faith journeys. 

This little owl reminds us that there are different ways to change what we see. Sometimes, it is as easy as changing the level from which we are taking in the view. Photography uses perspective all of the time, often achieving it by a twist of the camera. 

It is so easy to see things only from the spot that is familiar, comfortable, and easy. There are times we need to take another look. There is wisdom in looking from different angles and taking in different points of view. 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." -James 1:5

A second look from a different viewpoint can fill in the holes in understanding. It might mean refocusing. I could mean finding clarity. It might cause us to pause and be prayerful, asking God for wisdom, which is always a good idea. 

Today, I am grateful for a second look. 

From To Dos into Ta-Das

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 166: Today, I am grateful for when "to dos" turn into "ta-das."

Don't you love Monday morning ambitions? A great list of things you want to accomplish is good, but a done list is better. Some things take more time than others. Simple acts can be gratifying. Big ones take time and energy, but are worth taking to completion. 

Some things are never "done" for long like cleaning the house, but they are still good in the moment and for the few days the house feels truly clean. 

Savor the small moment of success and celebrate the big ones. 

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24

You've got this! 

Today, I am grateful for when "to dos" turn into "ta-das."

Seers

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 165: Today, I am grateful for seers. 

"The man who has been taught by the Holy Spirit will be a seer rather than a scholar. The difference is that the scholar sees and the seer sees through; and that is a mighty difference indeed. " -A.W. Tozer

Knowledge and wisdom are two very different things. Wisdom does not come from knowing God's word, it comes from being in it. To read it and absorb it is different from simply knowing the words. Being filled with His Spirit so that we feel the tug when we veer off the ancient way. 

Setting our eye on Him helps us to set our "true North" making it harder to get lost. 

"Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’" -Jeremiah 6:16

Disobedience is a decision that impacts every decision after it. The enemy of our souls longs to create a sea of shame with waves of regret that swallow us up. His grace is deep; His love is as wide as the East is from the West. 

Seek and you will find. You are seen and known. 

Today, I am grateful for seers.