Endurance and Encouragement

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 140: Today, I am grateful for endurance and encouragement.

Encouragement and endurance are present in relationships that grow in strength and last. People are complicated and relationships can be messy, but we can live together in harmony and unity. We can disagree and still love deeply. 

This year, we turn 250 as a country. It seems so long ago and it was in some way. In others, if you think about generations and how long they lived, our great-grandfathers great-grandfathers were the sons and daughters of the Revolution. They were born in or shortly after the war and the new beginnings of what we know of as the United States of America. King's Mountain, the Catawba River, and Lincolnton, N.C. was where they planted their dreams and were willing to die for them. 

There was much diversity in the ranks. The Bess (Bosch/Best) came from Germany and were among the first settlers in that area of North Carolina. Others came from Scotland, France, and other places. English became the common language. 

They came from different houses of worship, but they recognized God's presence in their daily lives. They respected the things that created a strong sense of morality. Most came for unsettled land and opportunities unavailable in their homelands. The weather could be unkind at times, but the mountains were beautiful. 

They were resilient people with working hands (the men and women) with determined spirits. Their differences were put aside when protecting their homes. Endurance and encouragement allowed them to come together in unity with harmony.  

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" -Romans 15:5-6

Together we are still better. Instead of worrying about what our brothers and sisters are getting "wrong," we might pray for wisdom and clarity in our own faith walks. "Create in me a clean heart," that seeks His face every day. To love generously and to encourage each other as we all read the Word together and let the Holy Spirit be our aide and our guide. 

Today, I am grateful for endurance and encouragement.

Wildflowers

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 139: Today, I am grateful for wildflowers.

Our zinnias are not wild. We plant them from harvested seeds and wait. I will never, ever get over the miracle or the wonder that from last  year's dead blooms comes this year's new life. 

Spiritually, I know that is at the core of what it means to be in a relationship with the living God of the universe, but the miracle of it all still amazes me. He brings dead things back to life. From what is spent out, tired, and seemingly dead comes rebirth. 

There are places where zinnias are wildflowers. We do not live in that zone. The cheerful wildflower is native to the United States and Mexico, where they still grow naturally in the wild, but not in central Illinois. The bright, colorful blooms make them a beloved favorite in our yard. It is so hard to wait for them to grow, but it is worth the wait. 

They bloom in 30, 60 , and 90 days from seed, depending on the variety. Even Mama had success with zinnias. Flowers were her gardening challenge. 

Easy to grow and wonderfully low-maintenance! Zinnias bring vibrant beauty and pollinator-friendly charm to any outdoor space. We love the crazy mix of colors. Ours are sprouting as I write. I check every day to see the progress. A bonus is that the hummingbirds seem to like the red ones. 

This scriptures uses "lilies" or "wildflowers," depending on the translations. We have daylilies in our yard. They do survive and thrive after our cold winters. In fact, planting them is a commitment. They are hearty and determined. They have a long blooming season, so we enjoy them. I think of them when I read this scripture: 

"Consider the lilies (wildflowers in some translations), how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." -Luke 12:27

Look for the new life that springs from seeds planted from blooms that die in the fall. Rebirth is always amazing. 

Today, I am grateful for wildflowers.

Advice from a Duck

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 138: Today, I am grateful for advice from a duck.  

Watching nature is a way to learn simple life lessons. This advice from a duck seemed perfect for the start of a new work week. 

*Dive into life.
*Enjoy a good swim
*Let troubles roll off your back
*Take time to preen
*Look beneath the surface
*Shake your tail feathers
*Don't quack up

Dive into the week one day at a time. If you cannot take a swim, take a walk. Enjoy a deep breath. Comb your hair. Change your perspective. Shake what bugs you. Laugh. 

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

May continues with its typical chaos. Do not forget to pause when needed. 

Today, I am grateful for advice from a duck.  

Graduations

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 138: Today, I am grateful for graduations. 

Graduation Day is a special event in a person's life. When my Grandparents and Great-Grandparents were young, making it to 8th grade was a big deal. The real work of keeping food on the table sometimes did not afford the luxury of a classroom education that extended to 8th grade and high school. 

That was the reality for several of my Grandparents and Great-Grandparents. On the Bess side, hardship when GG Albert Bess took ill and never recovered. 

Great-Great Grandpa Albert (William A.)Bess died at age 43, leaving behind Great-Great Grandma Adelia Ethel (Johnson) Bess, 36, with seven living children. Great-Grandpa Alva was almost nineteen and the oldest of the seven. The rest were girls ranging in age from 16 1/2 to 3.  

This is a verse he knew well:

"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." -Psalm 119:105

The year was 1917. I cannot imagine the responsibility he must have felt. No wonder when he spoke of his sisters it almost held the warmth of a father. He graduated from big brother to something more. I know he traveled to find work where he could, as it was reported in the Lutesville, Mo, newspaper. 

GG Alva graduated from brother and son to husband when he married Great-Grandma Hulda. He was 24 years old and she was 18. Her family was in the Kankakee area and that is where they raised my Grandpa Vernon. Grandpa Alva graduated from husband to father... and then great-grandfather to many. Much of his family came north to the Kankakee area, but Lutesville and the Clubb Creek Church were always "home" in his heart. 

I remember a time when they moved to the Lutesville area (near Cape Girardeau) for a season. I remember the big Bess bunch converging upon the home where they lived with an elderly man who was blind. (I think we called him "Uncle Bob", not to be confused with Uncle Bobby Bess.) "Uncle Bob" was warm and welcoming to all of us. He had what I remember as a big home, and we filled it! It was a huge slumber party. The love, laughter, and fun overflowed. Uncle Bob loved to hear us sing "Jesus Loves Me." Great Grandpa & Great Grandma were caregivers... so the family went to them. I have a double-wedding ring quilt that ended up with my Mama when "Uncle Bob" graduated to heaven. It is a treasure in my home. 

My Great-Grandparents returned to Illinois and were surrounded by family for the rest of their  days. I remember their last chapter was spent in a lovely high rise facility for Seniors. It was perfect for them, but it was unsuitable for large family gatherings. The torch of hosting big family gatherings was passed on. In a sense, that was another graduation. 

If I had to sum up GG Alva in a sentence it would be this: "He was always grateful." GG Hulda was always welcoming. Grandpa Bess would give them 10 grandchildren. Seven sisters and three brothers at the final count. Twenty-three Grandchildren (plus 3 bonus that came with Uncle Dave Maisonneuve) and countless Great-Great Grandchildren. 

For many years, it was Mama Ina Mae and Aunt Judy who shared hosting the family at the holidays. Now, when gatherings happen in this season, it is the cousins taking the lead. Another generation of cooks graduated to making the plans, and washing the dishes. There is still laughter and plenty of noise in the kitchens and every other corner suitable for gathering.  

Life is full of chapters and moments. When one chapter ends, another begins. 

For our local MHS seniors, today is their day. Graduations matter. They are a beautiful reason to celebrate accomplishments, the journey, and the relationships made along the way. 

Today, I am grateful for graduations. 

Lullabies

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 136: Today, I am grateful for lullabies. 

There is something about humming and singing that calms an anxious or upset child. It is something woven into our cultures and our souls recognize the soothing melodies that whisper love and safety. They hold family history in the songs passed down from generation to generation. They are often a part of bedtime routines and midnight resets when a child wakes up in the middle of the night. 

This scripture reads like a lullaby from our Heavenly Father:

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." -Zephaniah 3:17

He quiets us with his love. 

It also says that he will exult us with loud singing. That part of the verse feels more celebratory. We are loved and He wants us to know it. He hears us in our distress and in our delights. 

I remember times when a lullaby started out louder to match the cries of an upset child, and then bringing down the volume as they quieted and returned to sleep. Oh, the sweet memories of that season. We were often exhausted, but there was nothing like it. 

Isn't it good to know His love is like that? It is like a lullaby. 

Today, I am grateful for lullabies. 

Put It Down

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 135: Today, I am grateful we can put yesterday down. 

"Yesterday it is heavy. Put it down." 

Great instruction that is small enough to write on a rock. The scripture includes several passages that remind us to leave yesterday behind. It is history with each sunset. 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. -Isaiah 43:18-19

I think it is a plot from the enemy of our souls to keep reminding us of yesterday's failures and struggles. We learn more from our mistakes than we do from success. Success can lead to pride; failure leads to innovation. We don't want to aim for failure, but we do not want to be weighed down by it either. 

What can we do differently today? It is a lovely choice we get to make every morning. What things do we want to repeat because they worked? We can keep doing them. Yesterday's lessons are valuable, but they were never meant to weigh us down. 

Today, I am grateful we can put yesterday down. 

Elastic

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 134: Today, I am grateful for elastic. 

I do not think in all this time I have been grateful for elastic! How can I have missed this wonder of the sewing world and so much more? All of the celebrating that goes on in May often involves sweet treats and other caloric items. 

Elastic is equally helpful if we are losing weight in preparation for vacation, summer and swimsuit season. Honestly, it is the magical quality that lets us stretch and shrink and still be able to fit into our clothes that makes it truly a wonder in modern fashion. It allows us stretch for comfort when we need it to stretch. It pulls in items that would be too big, too. 

No zippers to snag in the wash. No buttons to lose in unknown places. It lasts well beyond the garment sometimes. Elastic is truly changes many of our days and we take it for granted. 

Whatever our day brings, elastic keeps us comfortable. Its flexibility provides self control, even when we do not. When we win at dieting, it adjusts. When we lose control it stretches. Oh, the very daily battle of self-control is real. 

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." -1 Timothy 1:7

His spirit of power, love, and self-control are accessible to us. Sometimes we use it. Sometimes we don't. It helps us stay calm, cool, and collected. It helps us be courageous. It helps us stretch. 

Today, I am grateful for elastic.