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. 

Hand Off the Paintbrush

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 229: Today, I am grateful to hand off the paintbrush.

Mondays are a fresh canvas. It is a new week. Hopefully, the weekend provided some rest. 

I love this reminder to hand God the paintbrush, instead of struggling on my own. "Return to me" is His simple and clear statement, request, and command. 

"For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling," Isaiah 30:15

How many times am I unwilling to hand Him the paintbrush? I know He does a better job, yet I resist. The battle is a human one. I am grateful for the grace and mercy He pours generously as we figure it out. 

In quietness and trust, there is strength. 

Today, I am grateful to hand off the paintbrush.

 

Can't Bite Water

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 228: Today, I am grateful for the reminder that you can't bite water. 

This image caught my eye today:

"No matter how sharp your teeth are, you can't bite water."

It means that every problem comes with its own solution. There is often not a one size fits all solution. There is great wisdom in taking time to understand the situation before taking action. Knee-jerk reactions are often not the best solution and can make the problem worse. 

You can't bite water. Not in its natural state. If it is frozen, it is transformed to ice. Ice is made from water, but is different once frozen. Biting at water is wasted energy. 

We have spent the past month in the book of Acts. One of the things I have loved has been reading Paul's (formerly Saul) transformed nature. He learned patience and even tact. I always think of Paul as the one who had the passion, but was on the wrong team. Jesus saw something very special in a man who had persecuted him like few others. He saw his passion and commitment. He needed to grow his patience and his heart for the lost. He was so educated and arrogant, but changed from the inside out. 

His testimony was often being patient in prison, in chains, in storms, and even in a shipwreck. His knowledge of scripture was a gift that allowed him to help shape the early church with deep roots in the Old Testament while claiming Jesus as Lord. He certainly had learned that you can't bite water. 

“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13

Today, I am grateful for the reminder that you can't bite water. 

Good Examples

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 227: Today, I am grateful for good examples. 

"The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion." -Paulo Coelho

We can all benefit from good examples. They can come from unexpected places. Children and strangers can inspire us to do better and be better. We have mentors and coaches who guide us, too. Some good examples are found in books or in neighbors. Family members often provide us with some of our best examples for who to live.

How often are we intentional about being a good example? There are times doing the right thing or the best thing comes naturally. Other times, we have to fight back pride and the desire for control. Human nature can be beastly.

This has long been a favorite scripture passage:

"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." -1 Peter 2:12

Live well. Act in love. Be patient, sincere, and generous. Scatter jot. Seek to leave people and places better than you found them.

Be an example, not an opinion. 

Today, I am grateful for good examples. 

Dumbfungled

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 226: Today, I am grateful for the right word... dumfungled.

Dumfungled is a rare, dialectal term, primarily rooted in 19th-century American and Scottish colloquialisms. There are times we want a different word than the one that comes to mind. Dumfungled is exhausted with a side of chaos on top. I think it is a great word for a Friday. 

Never underestimate the need for rest and restoration. 

"And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." -Genesis 2:2-3

God does not need the rest. He does not grow weary. But, we do. We have limited supplies of physical strength and mental energy. Embrace the need and plan for it. Some weeks seem longer than others. When you are feeling a little dumfungled, schedule time to rest. 

Today, I am grateful for the right word... dumfungled.

 

A Refillable Cup

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 225: Today, I am grateful for the gift of a refillable cup! 

After seeing sea turtles in the wild and too many videos of those harmed by carelessly discarded plastics in the ocean, I have made a few intentional choices. I try to reduce my personal plastic use with some intention. Glass cups are my favorite, but the metal ones are practical for travel. This makes my refillable cups priceless.

The "half full or half empty" test has been a measure of optimism in our language for as long as I can remember. 

 

"People who wonder whether the class is half empty or half full are missing the point. The glass is refillable."

I searched for the origins and found it at "Phase Finder." 

"The glass came before the optimism. The earliest known form of the idea is a piece of wordplay rather than a comment on character. In December 1908 a Minnesota newspaper printed a paradox credited to David Dodge of The New York World, in which a fictional Professor Nix observes: “You see this glass of mine is half full; yours is half empty, but both contain the same amount of water.” No optimists or pessimists in sight; just the observation that the two descriptions are interchangeable." -Phrase Finder

The same amount, but one person is more content, looking at the glass with optimism. I have honestly never thought about the big picture point... the glass is refillable! We talk about self-care and recharging... but "refilling the cup" is another way to look at the same scenario. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." -Romans 15:13

We have a God who longs to fill our cups and bring us peace, hope, and joy. We all have a cup. What we fill and refill it with matters. 

Today, I am grateful for the gift of a refillable cup! 

Beginner's Grace

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 224: Today, I am grateful for the grace in being a beginner.  

"The expert in anything was once a beginner." 

How easily we forget that expertise takes time. Some things cannot be hurried. Others expertise requires working through failure. We often forget to give ourselves (and others) grace as they are learning. 

How many fur babies did it take for us to learn that kennel training is not unloving or unkind? How many second babies are "better sleepers" because parents are more experienced and do not jump at every sound. How many failed baking projects does it take to be able to whip up something amazing with ease? Excellence is a journey. 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13

Embrace the new experiences that keep us learning, growing, and problem-solving. 

Do not forget to savor the ones that are extraordinary like holding your baby for the first time knowing that you have no experience, no idea what you are doing, but you are still their favorite person. (Happy Birthday, Chase! B-day post on another day.)We find ourselves praying that God will protect them in spite of our inexperience. It is the perfect example of beginner's grace. Babies know the voice, the scent, and the heartbeat of their parents. 

If it is your first day of a new job, a new school year, or as a beginner navigating life after a loss... grant yourself grace, too. 

Today, I am grateful for the grace in being a beginner.