So Much More..

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 164: Today, I am grateful for so much more.

This quote grabbed my heart today:

"If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others" -Oswald Chambers

Even when life is hard, our God is still good. I see it at every twist and turn that comes our way. We live a part of His much bigger story. No piece of a puzzle is insignificant. Some days you might feel like another "blue" piece in a puzzle full of water or sky, but each one is still unique. Each one is important or something is missing. 

Our struggles may be key in someone else's story. We have all been moved by the actions or testimonies of others who stay firm in trials and troubles. Our God is still moving the pieces. Our stories are not over... even after we are gone. 

Then this was my verse of the day: 

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” -Luke 11:13

It is always good to be reminded of the goodness of God. He is so much more than we ever imagine Him to be. 

Today, I am grateful for so much more.

Protection in the Storm

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 163: Today, I am grateful for protection in the storm.

Walker and Amber were hit the hardest with roof and gutter damage, but never lost power. Chase and Emma lost power, but no known damage. Our little pocket of the neighborhood lost branches an small trees in places, but the worst missed us.

Our dear friend (who has been like family for 35 years) was caught in the mess on 74. She sheltered at the Goodfield, IL, gas station by Busy Corner, but felt winds she had never felt. She was heading West, so she saw the massive semi truck and trailer accident on 74E. Good Samaritans were trying to help those in the trucks. She and many others were praying for those inside awaiting rescue workers who were struggling to get there in the storm.

The Crandalls lost nearly all of their trees but God spared the house and cars. Seriously, it was as if angels put the trees down safely so the house and cars were spared.

Todd and Sarah had some fence damage. The Leanders are good. Ryan headed out to help a friend whose home was hit.

The huge trees uprooted are in Idlewood park where we spend many Thursdays in the summer enjoying concerts. Tonight was obviously cancelled. (Some of the trees pictured are there.)

I am sure we will hear more today, but we are grateful for protection in the storm. We will hear more today about their declared status. The best status of all is safe.

Today, I am grateful for protection in the storm.

Things We Can Count On

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 162: Today, I am grateful for things we can count on. 

Sunrise. Sunset. We can count on them. We can precisely predict them because we have a great God who weaves order into time by His design. 

There is still a unique beauty in these daily events that keep us coming back for more. We know they will happen and they still take our breath away. 

My daily verse was another life verse I have clung to at every sunrise and sunset. 

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” -Psalm 46:10

"Be still" is a command followed by a comma indicating a pause. 
"And know" means without the shadow of a doubt. 
"That I am" reminds me of God telling Moses "I AM" sent  you. 
"God" ... we are not to misuse his name. 
"I will" ... there is no question.
"Be exalted" ... there is no denying His majesty.
"Among the nations." indicates all of the people of the earth.
" I will" ... now and in the future.
"Be exalted" ... meaning He will be lifted up, praised, and worshiped.
"In the earth."  including the breadth and depth of nature. 

Let there be no doubt! Add it to the list of things we can count on. 

Today, I am grateful for things we can count on. 

Grace in Forgetfulness

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 161: Today, I am grateful for grace in forgetfulness. 

This sums up some days in a nutshell:

"I had a thought... and then I had another thought. They bounced off each other and now I can't find either one." 

There are days that thoughts seem to pop in and out without really landing. Moving from one thing to the next, but never really getting to finish anything because of a missing piece can make for long days. Then, you forget what you started out to do. 

Forgetfulness comes with being human and increases with age. It teaches us to be intentional with the things we want to remember. Memorizing scripture is a good exercise for our brains. It was easier when we were young, but it is a good practice at any age. It writes His Word on our hearts so it is always with us.  

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,"-Psalm 130:2 

We are constantly bombarded with messages from an increasing number of sources. I am grateful for those who grant me grace in the moments of forgetfulness, and I need to remember to do the same for those around me. 

Today, I am grateful for grace in forgetfulness. 

Simple Reminders

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 160: Today, I am grateful for simple reminders. 

I love reminders. I do not see them as nagging. I set many alarms throughout the week so that I remember important things from appointments to plugging in devices to recharge that I only use once a month. Reminders help us avoid embarrassment and negative outcomes. I have documents that are nothing but reminders. 

Post-it notes offer visual reminders. I put them on my phone, on my computer monitors, and in my lunch bag. There are days I hang my lunch bag on my door handle as a simple reminder to take it home. 

The kids gave me a jar of color-coded scriptures that are simple reminders from His Word when I need it most. I keep that little jar close at hand. It is full of simple reminders. 

A simple reminder can be a game changer. 

My daily verse is a simple reminder about a big picture. This was today's:

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." -Matthew 7:13-14

It reminds me that we do not serve Santa Claus. We serve a mighty, just, and holy God. His ways are not always easy, but they are good. The world is full of illness, loss, and seasons that are discouraging and hard. On occasion, an old familiar passage hits me in a new way. Today is one of those days. 

"For the gate is narrow"  ... narrow but not "too" narrow. Narrow enough to give clear guidance, but not too wide so we get lost. 

"and the way is hard" ... hard, but not "too hard." We can do it. The Holy Spirit guides us. Jesus is our advocate before the Father. The Father longs to comfort, shield, and protect the ones He loves. Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies. We need simple reminders. 

Today, I am grateful for simple reminders. 

Sure Footing

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 159: Today, I am grateful for sure footing. 

To stumble is not only embarrassing, it can lead to falls. What is humbling in youth can be dangerous to us as we age. 

Sure footing allows us to be confident at any age, from toddlers learning to walk to those who rely on a cane. The terrain does not have to be perfect to be "safe" if we have the right shoes or support. 

Falls happen when precautions are neglected or forgotten. Wise shoe choices make a difference, too. 

"God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." -Habakkuk 3:19

When our steps are unsteady or unsure, we can lean into His strength. In fact, we do not have to wait until we are in trouble. It is preferable to let Him lead and not wait until we find ourselves in trouble or losing our balance. Our human nature is prone to fight for control of things that are truly out of our hands. We can choose the right shoes. 

His strength. His lead. His path. We can not be sure of the future, but we can be sure of His faithfulness on the journey. 

Today, I am grateful for sure footing. 

His Majesty

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 158: Today, I am grateful for reminders of His majesty. 

The miracle and wonder of creation are recognized in this passage:

"Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God." -Psalm 90:2

We are so easily caught up in the chaos of our busy days that it is easy to forget the miracle of it all. God's design is perfect. The placement of the Earth in her orbit around the sun is perfect. Just the right distance to sustain life as we know it. 

Our air was designed for our lungs... and our lungs for this air. We breathe in and breathe out effortlessly without giving it a second thought on most days. There are abundant blessings on the most ordinary days. 

The nests are bursting with new life. The squirrels are chattering up a storm. Bees are buzzing. Seedlings are sprouting. My zinnias are getting a little bigger. We have one green tomato on the vine. We had a little bit of rain and possibly more to come. His majestic design is good.  

Take it in. Take a picture. Savor the small delights. 

Today, I am grateful for reminders of His majesty.