Real Things That Don't Change

Daily Gratitude Year 10 - Day 131: Today, I am grateful for the real things that don't change.

Mama Ina Mae loved Little House on the Prairie. We read the books as children. We watched it over and over again. I often found myself in tears because the show addressed many social issues. It was one of the things Mama liked to watch in the last year of her life... I still teared up at many episodes we watched.

People can be selfish, self serving and mean at times. Laura referenced it in her books and the television series addressed it, too. Still, there was a common thread of hope for redemption... even for Nellie Olsen. Many of the people she wrote about were salt of the earth good people.

I love this wise quote:

"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." -Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Word of God is full of common themes about truth, living simply and finding courage in adversity.

"The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. -Proverbs 11:1-3

"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6

I love Laura's reminder to be happy with simple pleasures. The older we get, the more we value the things money can't buy. Check out any of the magazines in the check out aisle at the grocery store. The people pictured have so much wealth and influence, but do they have peace and joy? Something to ponder.

This week we can open our windows to warm breezes. The rain stopped long enough to plant a few flowers. Old friends gathered. Children of all ages reflected on their mothers. Mothers delighted in cards, calls and kindnesses from their children. Simple pleasures.

Laura's last thought was to have courage when things go wrong. What a life lesson it is to realize we learn much more from our failures and when things don't go as planned!

There is a perfectionist inside of me that hates to not do things well. How many opportunities have I missed because I chickened out? My Lord knows me so well... I always need a bit of a push and not much time to think. We don't have to be perfect. We need to be real.

Today, I am grateful for the real things that don't change