The Little Things

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 257: Today, I am grateful for the little things.  

"And one day you realize it was never about the big things. You realize it's actually about the little moments that feel like magic. It's about the simplest of seconds that make you smile. It's about the genuine experiences that fill your heart with joy. It's about the conversations that make you believe in kindness and compassion. It's about the hugs you want to hold for that little bit longer. It's about surrounding yourself with people that feel like sunshine. It's about the moments of peace and stillness that prove how beautiful the world can be. It was never about the big things."  -Pooh Memes 

There is a television channel, a social media platform, and an internet destination that sows the seeds of discontentment in our hearts. We forget how truly blessed we are when we are bombarded with messages about better, best, and more. I am reminded that "less is more" in many cases. 

Focus on the honest, the simple, and the true blessings that fill our days. Hot, clean water is one of them. Heat and air-conditioning is another. A car that runs, food in the pantry and plenty of toilet paper are daily blessings we take for granted. People who are happy to see you when you arrive. Hugs. These things are priceless. 

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This week, look for the little things that are really the big things. 

Pumpkin Festival Week

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 256: Today, I am grateful for Pumpkin Festival Week. 

It is almost here... and I cannot wait. The anticipation feels a little like Christmas in Morton, IL. The children have been counting the days. Parents have a plan for extra expenses that come with the festival, and figure out a way to make it all work. Our little community comes together (Morton & Groveland) with the power of volunteerism and a Chamber of Commerce that performs small miracles getting everything ready and keeping it running. 

Some joke it is Morton's World's Fair, but in truth, people have come from around the world to be a part of the celebration. They come for the pumpkin ice cream, the pumpkin donuts, the pumpkin chili, and so many other special festival related favorites. 

CBS did a spot on their Sunday Morning show and it was exciting to see so many familiar faces, including the ones cutting the ribbon (next door neighbor Jim Ackerman & Dave Neuhauser (church family and Walker's birthday buddy) and making the chili (Joe Sander & Troy Teater). I need to rewatch it, as I missed some faces the first time or two through the video. 

The video shows the love for "all things pumpkin" here in Morton, but it shows more. The young ladies interviewed were delightful. I giggled at their word choice when asked if there was anything they didn't like... and they used "vile" to describe the smell that comes with the rotting pumpkin carcasses when Nestle/Libby's is finished with them. It is a temporary smell, but for a time when the wind is right... "vile" is a kind word for the aroma. 

I still remember Walker saying he rolled down the window to take in the "pumpkin stink" when he came home for the festival his first year away at college. Allison Vastine and I talked about it, too. That aroma is associated with so many happy, fun, and fabulous memories, it becomes easy to overlook it. 

The more pleasant scents are elephant ears, corn dogs, pork chops, brats, and rib eye on the Pumpkin Grill. It is the best of carnival foods, rides, and games. The parade is always long and filled with reminders of the people, business, and churches in our neighborhood. How early is too early to put out your parade chairs? 

Jefferson School (K-6th) has a front row seat and it amazes me that they can get any learning accomplished in the festival chaos, but they do. Most Jefferson teachers weave pumpkins and the festival into whatever they are teaching that week. They are proud to have the festival on school grounds. 

My verse of the day was perfect:

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." -1 Peter 3:8

We will all be burning the candle on both ends this week and worth every minute of lost sleep as we try to fit it all in. Remember to be kind and forgiving. 

In three more wake ups... it is Uncle Bud's Apple Cider Slushie Day!!! A slushie a day until the festival goes away and sometimes two on Saturday. (This is my personal obsession... although I love pumpkin.)

Today, I am grateful for Pumpkin Festival Week.  

Commanded to Rejoice

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 255: Today, I am grateful for power in the commandment to rejoice. 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" -Philippians 4:4

There is an old praise chorus that is this scripture set to song. It is easily sung in a round and the children always enjoyed it. There is something about singing in a round that brings something fresh to worship. I love how it starts out with just a few voices and ends in the same way. 

It is easy to fall into the worries and the woes as we walk through our day, but we are given clear direction. We are to rejoice in the Lord, not our circumstances... because they can change quickly. His love and faithfulness are steady and true... even when we have troubles. 

Our niece, Kenzie, never said she had a problem when she was little. She would say, "I have troubles." I still smile when I think of it, not because it was funny, but because she was so sincere in her declaration. She was independent and didn't necessarily want help. Sometimes, she just wanted an encouraging word until she figured it out. We could almost see her thinking. Then a big smile would come and she would be on her way with a happy heart. 

Sometimes we have to sit with the troubles for a bit, but even in trials, we are reminded to rejoice in His faithfulness in all of our days. 

"True happiness is to rejoice in the truth, for to rejoice in the truth is to rejoice in You, O God, who are the truth... Those who think that there is another kind of happiness look for joy elsewhere, but theirs is not true joy."  -Saint Augustine

Today, I am grateful for power in the commandment to rejoice.

Times of Remembering

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 254: Today, I am grateful for times of remembering.

25 years... it seems like forever ago in some ways and in others, the raw emotion of those days is never far from the surface. The skies went strangely silent. There was no air traffic for days. 

The names, the faces, and the stories kept coming... from the planes, from the towers, from the firehouses, and from the families. The courage and sacrifice of our first responders and heroic responses from ordinary people caught in an extraordinary moment in time. 

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13

Words are not quite adequate to capture the feeling we found ourselves swimming in for the first days and throughout that first year post 9-11. It was as if we were holding our breath, waiting for what came next. 

In some ways, that breath has never been fully exhaled. Still, the other thing I remember the most about those days is how it united us as a country. For a season, we were just Americans wrapped in the strength of everything "Old Glory" represents. We are better together. A house divided cannot stand. Character, integrity, and love are stronger than hate. 

I will never forget the many "God Wink" stories of people late to work that day for appointments, missed trains, first days of school, and more. It is truly shocking how many were spared because of unexpected inconveniences or one a year live events. I think of it as "the shadow of His wings." 

May our love be stronger than hate. May we grow in wisdom and understanding. Let us seek to tune our heart to His Spirit, so that we sense evil when it is present. May we love mercy, seek justice, and walk humbly with our God.

Today, I am grateful for times of remembering.  

5000 Day Doxology

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 253: Today, I am grateful for 5000 days in gratitude.

What was the date 5000 days ago from today? January 1, 2013 is the answer. It was the first day of a personal challenge to post something I am grateful for every day for the month of January. The previous months had some tough stuff, and the winter was still ahead. I do not love winter. At the end of January, I decided to go another month, because I could feel the difference that the simple practice made in my daily life. 

January turned to February... and February into March. I realized by April the power of the simple act of recording thankfulness in the good times... and even more so when it was hard. 

Over the years, it has grown. I started adding favorite quotes, shared images from Pinterest and Facebook, and eventually a scripture on most days, because there always seemed to be a passage that fit the gratitude. His Word really does have something for every day. 

December 31, 2026, will mark the completion of 14 years (5112 days). I always have to make the decision to stop or press on with public sharing. I continue to learn from the daily practice, as it keeps me focused on His faithfulness in all seasons of life... weather seasons and good versus hard times. 

My earliest church memories were at the little Congregational Church in Clifton, IL. Grandpa Lindgren taught us quiet things to do with our hands as he fed us Brach's hard candies to keep us quiet. Mom was at the organ. Dad was often ushering. The service always ended with the traditional Doxology:

 "Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A-men."

I think that might have been the first seed of thanksgiving that took root in my heart. It was a reminder for all that has breath to give thanks. 

"I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." -Isaiah 46:4

Today, I am grateful for 5000 days in gratitude.

Lessons in Self Control

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 252: Today, I am grateful for lessons in self control. 

Titus 2:2 was my verse of the day. Paul's letters to Titus are full of good instructions for living well in all seasons of life. He speaks about living well in community. Today's verse addresses older men, but it has good lessons for everyone. 

"Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience." -Titus 2:2

One of Dad's favorite sayings was, "It takes a long time to screw an old man's head on a young man's body." In other words, maturity takes time, life lessons, mistakes, and experiences. You can read for wisdom and forget the instruction. Living the mistakes and victories makes them stick. 

Lessons in self control are even more challenging in a world with social media. Never have we lived in a world where it is more challenging to sort out truth from fiction and A.I. Things are said and done that cannot be unseen and undone. The internet has a long memory. Wise words are better than words spewed in anger. 

Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Does it show love and patience? Self control is an exercise every day that is worth practicing. If something needs to be spoken, let it brew, let it stew, and let His word lead the conversation. Not in bits and pieces, but in context with self control. 

Today, I am grateful for lessons in self control. 

Dress for the Day

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 251: Today, I am grateful we can "dress for the day."

A long time ago... in a galaxy far away... well, actually, it was forty years ago at Olivet Nazarene University, we had to "dress for the day." I remember friends who went to U of I and ISU talking about rolling into class in sweatpants. I couldn't even imagine it, nor could they imagine putting on actual, respectable clothing daily.

I've always preferred dresses to pants. I am truly my mother's daughter. We were allowed to wear dress pants, but it was never my first choice. Jeans weren't legally permitted until after 5 p.m. We had to wear dress clothes during the school week and on Sundays. Miraculously, we survived without physical injury and emerged at graduation with fully functional professional closets.

Even back then, the dress code rules seemed ridiculous and archaic to some. Science has since weighed in on the matter, with studies on classroom attire yielding mixed results. But let's be honest: how you show up matters. First impressions—whether in a job interview or on exam day—signal that you mean business and are actually prepared.

I love sparkle, glitter, and shine. (If it doesn't catch the light, is it even worth wearing?) Yet, I am reminded that it’s far more important to shine from the inside-out."

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." -1 Peter 3:3-4

The gals in this picture are ready for a Target run, a trip to Walmart, or coffee with friends. The only thing missing? Tiaras. Honestly, I find them inspiring.

So, dress for the day with your own sense of style. Be comfortable in your own skin. Be unapologetically yourself. Wear whatever helps you take on the world.

Today, I am grateful we can "dress for the day."