Autumn Leaves

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 282:  Today, I am grateful for autumn leaves.

"Come," said the wind to the leaves one day. Come o'er the meadows and we will play. Put on your dresses of scarlet and gold, for summer is gone and the days grow cold." -George Eliot

Fall is spectacular in the Midwest. Every tree variety offers up something special. Some trees have brilliant crimsons and golds, others look like the tree tops are on fire as the colors change from the top down. Too often, I forget to pause and take it in. One in particular caught my eye, and I hope to capture it in a picture before the effect is lost. 

Every year we are blessed with a masterpiece of color. It is never exactly the same twice. The temperatures and waterfall over the summer impact the fall colors. So can skipping over the moderate temperatures, right into the cold. Fall always seems to bring something unexpected, even though it arrives every year. 

"To everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." -Ecclesiastes 3:1

Take the picture. Breathe in the scents unique to the season. Pull out the cinnamon and pumpkin spice. Look for the unique. Savor the glow and the glory that belongs to autumn. It is the big show before much of nature goes to sleep for the winter. 

 Today, I am grateful for autumn leaves.

Soul Medicine People

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 281: Today, I am grateful for the soul medicine people.  

"Some people are soul medicine in the way they hear you, love you, support you, and believe in you, always." 

You know who they are. They make you laugh. They cry with you. They are a gift simply by being present in your world. They are good for your soul. Soul medicine people often come from long relationships, but some show us unexpectedly when you need them most. They are kindred spirits who many times help us find balance. The relationship is reciprocal.

The people who weep with us when our hearts break and laugh with us until our abdomens ache from the muscles used to laugh are priceless. They are to be treasured like gold. To live, laugh, and love together builds kinship. We are especially blessed when we find some of these people around our family tables.  

King Solomon had Godly wisdom that led to great wealth. I imagine there were times he was frustrated by the people who only wanted to be near him for his power, riches, and influence. Perhaps that is what brought him to pen this proverb:

"Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence." -Proverbs 27:9

 

Sweet friendships are good for the soul. They bring joy and are like the "anointing of oil" that is healing, fragrant, and is often associated with God's presence. Treasure them. Make time for them. Be fully present... or "be where your feet are" as my friend, Stephanie says. 

Today, I am grateful for the soul medicine people. 

Joy Bubbles

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 280: Today, I am grateful that joy bubbles.

"Joy is that bright, warming feeling of complete delight that bubbles up from within, making you feel fully alive and connected to the moment." 

I have been leaning into fall, but this image caught my eye and the quote is so true. Joy bubbles.  It springs up from within and bursts. It feels like light and fresh air. It can be unexpected. It is the soul singing. 

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. ~Proverbs 17:22 

Remember the old "Pop Rocks" candy? It made a sizzling sound on your tongue. You knew what would happen every time, but it still was surprising, perhaps because it was unusual. 

I try not to drink traditional soda, but I do love carbonation in my beverages. Poppi's Christmas Cranberry Fizz will be coming out soon (please, Costco) for the holiday season. I discovered it after the holidays last year. I am grateful  for my niece, Monica and my friend, Julie, for sharing a few cans over the long dry spell. They have gifted me with joy. 

My favorite example of joy is a baby's belly laughter. There is nothing like it. 

True joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Happiness is momentary. Joy comes from deep inside and is quite often partnered with contentment. 

Today, I am grateful that joy bubbles. 

"Sit Outside" Days

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 279: Today, I am grateful for "sit outside" days. 

Spring and fall are the best in Illinois. The temperatures can be not too hot, not too cold, and the humidity not uncomfortable. They are my favorite days of the year to sit outside. 

To sit outside means taking in the nature around you. In the fall, the squirrels are busy. The butterflies are everywhere and the hummingbirds stop by for a sip of nectar as they prepare for the return to warmer places for the winter. 

Sitting outside is an intentional act of slowing down. Taking in nature is an intentional observation of God's provision. Celebrating the ordinary can be extraordinary. 

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” – Matthew 6:28-29

It calms the spirit and refreshes the soul when we pause to sit outside on ordinary days. 

Today, I am grateful for "sit outside" days. 

Antique Reminders

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 278: Today, I am grateful for antique reminders. 

"Maybe we aren't obsessed with antiques because of how they look. Maybe we're just trying to rebuild the slower life we didn't realize we were losing."  

This thought strikes me as a good way to start the work week. "Antiques Roadshow" has become a "comfort show" for me that I often fall asleep watching. I grew up appreciating antiques and items from simpler times. 

In the home I grew up in, some antiques were still being used if there was no good reason to replace them. My mind quickly goes to a meat grinder Mama used to make what she called "pressed chicken." It was a beast of a grinder and it did the job well. 

The part of this quote that sticks with me is that we are "trying to rebuild the slower life we didn't realize we were losing." In this instant age, it seems we might be realizing the value of things done slowly, deliberately, and repeatedly. Like the steady beat of the human heart, we do not want to move through life too fast or too slow. Take in each day and look for the unwrapped gifts. Find the opportunities to slow down and take it all in. 

One example is the coffee pot brewing. At work, we have a Bunn coffee maker, which by today's standards is not the fastest way to brew a cup of coffee. A Bunn is not slow, but it is not instant. If you have never tried French Press to brew coffee, give it a try. The coffee is delicious and the ritual is comforting. 

I cannot help but think of the old percolator coffee pot at Grandpa Lindgren's house. It was plugged in first thing in the morning, probably before chores... and the heavenly brew would be ready when he returned from the chickens and cattle. That scent filled the kitchen most of the day. If there was any left in the afternoon, it was the epitome of the phrase "so thick you can stand a spoon in it." Oh the memories. 

Antiques remind us of the many ordinary items we consider luxuries. Do we find ourselves longing for a slower pace? We can not slow down the clock, but we can slow down in the moment. This scripture seemed the perfect reminder:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” – Psalm 23:1-3

Today, I am grateful for antique reminders. 

The Power of One

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 277: Today, I am grateful for the power of one. 

"Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and if possible... speak a few sensible words." -Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832)

This was written at a time when not everyone could read or have access to books. Goethe was considered a "polymath" because he was very knowledgeable on many subjects. It is funny that he articulates that many of the words spoken are not always sensible. Isn't it funny that the same thing could be said today?

One is not insignificant. One can make a difference. One person can change the trajectory of our lives for better and for worse. One act of kindness can restore hope. One encouraging word can reshape a moment or change the course of a hard day. Oh, the power of one!

I love this reminder that one soul who finds "The Way... the Truth...and the Life" can cause heaven to break out in rejoicing. 

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." -Luke 15:7

One. I will never get over the "one"der of it all. 

Today, I am grateful for the power of one. 

Measuring Spoons

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 276: Today, I am grateful for measuring spoons. 

For me, love is shown in the kitchen. I enjoy feeding people. Growing up in Mama Ina Mae's family meant we had to know how to cook from scratch. We dried dishes (with flour sack towels) and when the sisters were there, singing might break out along with the laughter. 

Our first measuring tool was a measuring spoon. We had to grow into using the measuring cups. Those tiny spoons added ingredients that would make or break a recipe if we added too little or too much. 

Think about it. Salt, baking soda, baking powder, and spices are usually measured with measuring spoons. It is quite a bit of power in a child's hands. Have I ever mentioned that my Mama had the patience of Job?

We made mistakes. Mama never took our spoons away. She always let us try again with the lesson learned. (April once mixed up baking powder and baking soda in cookies. The incident is legendary in our family. Ask Randy.) The measuring spoon is tiny but might.  Honestly, April and I were both able to cook meals long before we were teenagers. What a gift it was to grow up with encouragement in the kitchen. 

Measuring spoons measure the small amounts over a pinch or a dash. I prefer the ones that have etched or embossed amounts that last forever. They get plenty of use in my kitchen. They can be a gift that lasts a lifetime. 

This might be a new addition to my favorite scriptures. It speaks to the importance of balance and right proportions. In context, it is about generosity and the hearts of the givers. Be generous with cups of love and encouragement; sprinkle and dash correction with a side of kindness. The "Spirit of Correctiveness" is not a "Fruit of the Spirit." 

As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” -2 Corinthians 8:15

I am grateful to be reminded that the right amount is just that... the right amount. 

Today, I am grateful for measuring spoons.