Time to Reflect: 4,748

Daily Gratitude- Year 13 - Day 365: Today, I am grateful for time to reflect on day 4,748.

Here we are. "Daily Gratitude - Year 13" is now in the books. 4,745 plus three leap years means 4,748 days of daily gratitude. The end of a year means it is time to decide if this is the end of this public journey. Do we go another year together? 

Although I really like the number 13, it does not feel right to end here. Seven is a number that has God significance. Fourteen is a multiple of seven, and the number seven is in scripture many times. Seven is said to be the number of completion or perfection.  Two cycles of seven, at the end of 2026, it would be 5,113 days. Let's see what 2026 brings. 

I looked into the number fourteen in scripture. The number 14 is associated with completeness. Some call it a double measure of God's spiritual perfection or it can symbolize deliverance and salvation. We find the number fourteen in genealogies, festal cycles, and divine deliverances, thereby weaving a pattern that believers seek to understand and appreciate.    

Notably, Matthew's genealogy of Jesus includes thee sets of fourteen generations listed. The Passover Lamb is chosen on the 10th day and sacrificed on the 14th day. Interesting, right? 

In the past 13 years, so much has happened in our world, our communities, and in our personal lives. My one little word for 2025 was reflect. I have tried to be intentional about reflection. This year, I find my heart being called back to the word "enough." It is closely related to gratitude. Being content with what we have is where true abundance begins. 

My friend Stephanie always says "Be where your feet are." Be fully present. Be all in. If you join me for year fourteen, please know that I am so grateful for your companionship on the journey. I appreciate every indication that it was the right word at the right time. 

The last thing I do every day before posting is offer it to God for his guidance. I ask him to stop the post if anything would be hurtful, not helpful, or wrong. Several times... to my frustration... it has happened. I am grateful for any interference from His hand. 

I am not a Bible scholar, but I love His Word passionately. I am a seeker and a learner. It has been a compass and a guide since I learned to read at age four. It is a treasure trove of mysteries and histories that allow my name and yours to be written in The Lamb's Book of Life. 

 “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 like to end each year with the reminder of what I learned that very first year. "Practicing daily gratitude does not change God, it changes me." If you have never kept a gratitude journal, just try it for a month. 

I invite you to walk with me in 2026, with a special thank you to those of you who have been on this journey from the beginning on January 1, 2013. If you are new even this week, I am so grateful you are here. 

Today, I am grateful for time to reflect on day 4,748.

Big, Soft Towels

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 364: Today, I am grateful for big, soft towels. 

I am a product of my culture. I love being clean. A daily shower is a part of my morning routine most days. The heat, the scent of my favorite cleansers, and a soft jumbo towel to finish it off. 

The Love-of-My-Life has become an excellent towel shopper. He tries to find the best towels while keeping them budget friendly. Everyone got a new towel at Christmas this year. My Grandma Opal Maxine would love the practicality of the gift. Our kids appreciate that the towels are quite luxurious. 

Towels as we know them evolved over time. Ancient Greeks and Romans had something similar, but it was in the Third Century, B.C. that the Egyptians invented the "farachi." It was an absorbent and soft cotton towel. It became popular across the civilized world and into the hands of the ancient Greeks and Romans. You can read a little towel history HERE. 

Could an old farachi have been used at the inn and some made their way to the stable the night Jesus was born? These are things we can only wonder and never know for sure. We know babies love to be swaddled. It feels cozy when they are missing the womb. Luke only tells us this:

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." -Luke 2:7

Luke, a physician by trade, would have been interested somewhat in the conditions surrounding the birth of the child. They did not have a full understanding of the benefits of a clean environment for the birth. If the innkeeper had a wife or teen daughters, babies are a big deal. Perhaps they at least sent out some clean cloths. Perhaps Mary had packed some for the journey, knowing the birth was near. We can only wonder. 

The "Three Wise Women" meme has always made me laugh. It is especially funny because it captures very real differences between men and women. 

Baby showers today always include items for bathing a baby. Diapers, towels, and a swaddling item are often on the list. The smell of Dreft laundry soap takes me back to when our boys were born. The gentle scent brings back so many memories... including the soft baby towels. 

From babies to the elderly, soft towels bring comfort and joy. To have them in our homes daily is a luxury we take for granted. 

Today, I am grateful for big, soft towels.

Hope for Troubled Hearts

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 363: Today, I am grateful there is hope for troubled hearts. (Warning: long post.)

There is absolutely no doubt about it... these are troubled times. Read the headlines, turn on the news, or don't. Nothing good shows up on the most newsfeeds over the course of a day. 

In 1983, Anne Murray won a Grammy for best country song of the year with "A Little Good News Today." It is a song I loved at first listen and Earworm continues to sing it back to me when I forget. Over the course of the past nearly 13 completed years, "Daily Gratitude" has helped me see and hold onto the "good news" in our ordinary days. I hope it does for you, too. Our God is still faithful. 

During the pandemic season, Rodney Atkins made a cover of Anne Murray's song knowing it would be good for our souls. There were roadblocks, but his wife would not let him give up on the song. He did record it and his wife was right. It is still a great song.

https://youtu.be/ruCcUzUyEhw?si=rmBNtOZNaoeIdQew

So much has happened in this world between 1983 and 2025. Wars. Rumors of wars and riots Protests seemed to be everywhere. Hatred is nurtured and celebrated. Assassinations and assassination attempts have all been a part of 2025. Common sense is not that common. What a hot mess! 

There have been moments that are sweet and good, too. New marriages, new babies, new homes, baptisms, and new jobs for some. There is a spiritual awakening that is happening as people are digging deeper into the Bible and finding something they never expected... the Truth. Who ever thought apologetics would be cool? 

Most of us would never call a help hotline without first reading an owner's manual or looking on YouTube. Why? No one wants to look foolish. So many times the answer is in the troubleshooting tips on any electronic item or appliance. Yet, many have God's Word in multiple translations in their homes and on their phones, but do not read it. When our soul's leave this world, "I didn't read the instructions" will not be an excuse when we are before the throne of the Almighty. 

I love the promise that knowing the Truth means freedom. One heartbeat separates us between this world and eternity. Paul at the end of his life found peace and joy in the knowledge that no matter what happened... he won! Live to share the gospel, or step into eternity to be with Jesus. Paul's passion and boldness inspire me. 

Humans will continue to make trouble. Evil is real. The enemy of our souls is as real as the angels that guard us and the Holy Spirit who comforts us in our sorrows and troubles. 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." -John 14:1-3

Today, I am grateful there is hope for troubled hearts.

A Roof That Does Not Leak

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 362: Today, I am grateful for a roof that does not leak. 

Today, we had storms. Thunder and wind. Some lost power in nearby towns. We did not. As the rain pounded down, I could not help but give thanks for a roof that does not leak.

A roof not leaking is something I forget to add to my gratitude list simply because it does what it is supposed to do. It covers our home and keeps the rain out. How many little things in our world do we forget to say "thank you" for because they simply work as they should? 

Roofs, cars, windows, sump pumps, HVAC systems, water heaters, water faucets, showers, and toilets all fall into the very important list of items in our daily lives that we simply expect to work. It should not take a system failure to turn our hearts to gratitude, but it often does. 

This was my verse of the day:

"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

What burdens does Jesus carry on our behalf in such a way that we forget to say "Thank you?" He gives us the strength and hope we need when we reach the end of our proverbial ropes. He encourages our weary souls with a word from His Word or He speaks through someone else or a song. He is our refuge when we need one. The scriptures say it beautifully, "He will cover you with his wings."

His faithfulness is like a roof that does not leak. We can give him our woes in exchange for a safe place to rest.  

Today, I am grateful for a roof that does not leak. 

Anna's Example

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 361: Today, I am grateful for Anna's example.

It is hard to be patient when eagerly waiting for something. The anticipation builds until it is nearly palatable.

Imagine the prophetess, Anna, who had waited so many years to see the Messiah. She had only been married for 7 years when she was widowed. At the age of 84, if she married at 15, she was 62 years a widow. She lived at the temple. She spent her days fasting, praying, and waiting. She found her strength, refuge, and home in God's house. Her story was not over.

"Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem." -Luke 2:36-38

Imagine overhearing the conversation between Simeon, Joseph, and Mary. She broke out in praise. What does that look like at 84 years of age? I imagine she had plenty of spring in her step as she came face to face with the Good News of promises and prophecies fulfilled.

Mary and Joseph were essentially on a "business trip" to the temple to do what was required of them by the law. Jesus would have been about 33 days old. They never expected two affirmations and two recognitions of sweet baby Jesus as the Messiah. They knew, but it must have been reassuring to hear someone else say it.

Anna's close walk with the Lord gave her vision and insight. What joy and hope she must have felt! I cannot imagine she did not touch the baby. Perhaps, she even held him. What a glorious day at the temple. She could not help but talk about the baby.

Today, I am grateful for Anna's example.

Simeon's Sight

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 360: Today, I am grateful for Simeon's sight.

Simeon keeps popping up in sermons, devotional, and daily verses. It must be time to reflect on Simeon's recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and the significance for all who call him Savior and Lord.

Jesus would have been 40 days old. It was time for Mary's purification at the temple and for Jesus to be presented. The magi from the east had not yet arrived with gold, so Joseph and Mary would be offering the acceptable sacrifices of the poor.

When they arrived at the temple, their minds were likely focused on what needed to be done. Simeon (and Anna... for another day) was unexpected. That they arrived at the same time as Simeon was God's timing. They named the baby Yeshua (Jesus) which is of Hebrew origin meaning "salvation." Simeon recognized that this was indeed the long promised Messiah.

"Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”" -Luke 2:28-32

Salvation for all people! The "all people" included the gentiles, too. Simeon did not just see a baby... he saw the Hope of the World cradled in Mary's arms. Simeon's joy is captured in his blessing of the baby.

After the shepherds, Joseph and Mary were probably growing accustomed to the unusual happenings that came with being chosen to raise God's son. Imagine the dinner conversation for them that night after encountering Simeon (and Anna) at the temple.

When we look at our nativity displays, do we see what Simeon saw?

Today, I am grateful for Simeon's sight.

Christmas Day

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 359: Today, I am grateful for Christmas Day.

May there be one moment in this holiday season when you're reminded what it's really all about.

It is that moment in a Charlie Brown Christmas when Linus drops his blanket and quotes from Luke 2 that captures the heart of what Christmas is really about.

"And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." -Luke 2:9-11

There is no reason to fear. Rejoice in the knowledge that the promised Savior came, conquered death, and is coming back. Let our celebrations find quiet moments to reflect on the joy that comes when we find our way back to the manger.

Listen for angels. Look for His star. Be still and know He is God.

Today, I am grateful for Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 358: Today, I am grateful for Christmas Eve. 

Sweet Mary must have been so weary. She could not get comfortable as the child inside was about to make His long awaited entrance. It had been nine months for her and dear Joseph, but the people of earth had been waiting for this child for many generations. That fact, also, meant the world was no longer on high alert. They were certainly not expecting him to arrive in Bethlehem that night. 

Joseph and Mary had endured the looks, the gossip, and the whispers behind their backs. The journey to Bethlehem meant time away from staring eyes, but the baby was coming soon. She would have no mother or sister to coach her. She was on her own with a man she was still learning about. What a crazy time it had been for both of them. 

Perhaps the quiet clip-clop of the donkey has a rhythm that would nearly put her to sleep until the baby would become discontent and kick. She would walk a bit... and then ride... and then, something changed. On the outskirts of Bethlehem, Joseph knew he had to find something soon. 

Knocking on doors proved fruitless. With the census order bringing many visitors to town, the inns were full. We do not know how many times he tried, but we can feel his desperation when he jumps on the opportunity to spend the night in a stable. Would Mary deliver there? What did he know about delivering babies? He was a carpenter and not a shepherd. 

It was time. Joseph did all he could to help Mary settle into a comfortable spot as the labor pains grew closer and more intense. She must have felt like she was in over her head with everything out of her control. Babies have a way of doing that. They come when they come. After they arrive, we answer their needs. 

Mary must have been excited, nervous, and overwhelmed. I imagine Joseph would sit wherever she asked. Did he rub her back? Did he sit behind her on the ground so she could lean against him and into his steady strength? We know he did what he could do to prepare the space for the newborn King. How would he remember it as the years passed? What stood out? What was etched deep in his memory of that night? 

The wonder of the birth... and then the surprise arrival of a band of shepherds who were sent by an angel choir. Oh, what a night! 

"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." -Luke 2:19

Oh, what a night! So much can change in a few hours. A baby changes everything. Her baby would change the world. 

The book "Heaven Is For Real" included Colton Burpo sharing his experience when he died on the surgical table. Someone asked him if Mary was there. Of course, she was. When asked about the relationship, Colton described a mother and son relationship, but she knelt before his throne, too. 

"Mary Did You Know?" is one of my favorite Christmas songs. She put her trust in the Almighty God of the universe and gave birth to His child... the long awaited Messiah.  

Today, I am grateful for Christmas Eve. 

Cutting Board

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 357: Today, I am grateful for the cutting board. 

How many cutting boards does it take to make a Christmas meal? 

I do not know the answer, but in our kitchen there are times I run out if the dishwasher is partially full. My fully stocked cabinet holds 6 or 7. Sometimes, I do a flip between ingredients, so that is 12-14 clean starting surfaces. 

Cutting Boards are  any kitchen's most used and under appreciated tools. Different cutting boards are used for different jobs. I think it is time to pause and appreciate them all. 

A cutting board can add unique beauty to the kitchen if displayed. Third Sunday Market in Bloomington, IL has a vendor who creates some unique and beautiful cutting boards. He uses the natural imperfections in the wood to create functional beauty. 

Homemade Bread on a pretty cutting board is a cozy presentation. There is something welcoming about natural wood. It is why kitchen trends always circle back to including natural wood. 

My little brother Matt and I easily recall Mama trying to keep Dad out of the kitchen on Thanksgiving and Christmas until it was time for him to move the stuffed bird to the large wooden cutting board to rest before carving. Dad was always looking to sneak a piece of turkey deliciousness before it was time. Matt and I still love working on a turkey together when time allows. The memories are sweet, and I hope our children remember the laughter and comradery that took place in the kitchen and over a cutting board.

In the world of cutting boards, there are endless options.  Titanium options, glass, bamboo, and polyethylene plastic to go along with the traditional wood choices. There are times it is a matter of choosing the right board for the right job. I am a fan of those that have a groove to catch the juices.

Many know that "Bethlehem" means "house of bread." Bread is such a humble thing until you do not have anything to eat. The Israelites were instructed as to how to make the bread before fleeing Egypt. God provided manna daily in the dessert. Manna was literally bread from heaven. Bread is basic and beloved. Most cultures and continents have recognizable breads. Bread can be life sustaining. 

"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." -John 6:35

I am grateful for the bread and the cutting boards that keep the counter neat and unblemished. Breaking bread together is always special with family, friends, and when shared with strangers. 

The same Jesus who was born in a town called "the house of bread" would allow himself to be cut and broken so that we could be made beautiful and whole in the eyes of God. He is still the Bread of Life. 

Today, I am grateful for the cutting board. 

December Advice

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 356: Today, I am grateful for December advice.

December will wrap ups soon, but there is still time to create special moments and memories. 

"Deliver love without hesitation. Enjoy the little things. Choose compassion always. Every soul truly matters. Make room for joy. Bless others with kindness. End the  year with gratitude. Remember you are loved." -Psalms of Light Healing

It is great advice for the busy days ahead. Choose wisely and choose well. 

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. -1 John 4:7

Today, I am grateful for December advice.

A Gift for All

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 355: Today, I am grateful for a gift for "all."

I cannot help but see God's hand when Sunday School and the morning message come together in an easy gratitude post. 

Yes, it is the Christmas season, but today's readings and teachings both focused on the "for all" who are welcome at the manger. Even the Old Testament prophecies used the "for all" phrasing. 

The mind of God is beyond my understanding, but His Word gives us a window into His heart. His desire for a restored relationship with humans was displayed when he said "yes" to an earthbound thirty-three years in human skin. 

Of course, a real relationship requires more than knowing who someone is. It requires opening our hearts to be known from the inside out. Our Lord knows our sins and shortcomings before we confess them. The confession is good for our souls. Our Lord knows our strengths and weaknesses before we present ourselves to him as a "living sacrifice." His requirement is for us to believe and receive. If we truly believe, the change will be evident in our daily lives. 

“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer FOR ALL PEOPLES.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” -Isaiah 56:6-8

His house is a house for ALL people. Mary and Joseph were devout. They knew of the coming Messiah, but never expected to play unique roles when the time was right. The wait had been so long that no one was really looking for Him. 

In the "for all people," it was the humble shepherds who were on the job when the angels showed up with the good news. The "for all people" included the poorest, the ordinary, the seekers, the Magi, and the rich and powerful.  Who would follow the star? 

"And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." -Luke 2:10

This season, let our hearts rejoice in the gift of the baby who would change everything. 

Today, I am grateful for a gift for "all."

A Story of Three Kings

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 354: Today, I am grateful for a story of three kings. 

The mathematical odds of Jesus being the Messiah are incredible. Some say he filled up to 300 Messianic prophecies. A more conservative number is 100-150. Even going with the conservative opinions, it is mind-boggling. 

I have never before considered that the birth of Jesus included three kings until a recent message. It was the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus who called for the Census that required Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem. He was a conquering ruler with no real "dog in the fight" in regards to the birth of Jesus. Yet, he called for a census. 

Three Kings collided on that night in Bethlehem so many years ago with a newborn baby, the Messiah God's people had been promised. 

"At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire." -Luke 2:1,4-5

It was the Jewish King Herod who raged with anger and fear about news of a baby born in the line of David in Bethlehem. The magi did not return with the details. Herod was furious.  Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Egypt for a season, until they would return and come "out of Egypt." Echoes of the Passover are in both chapters of the recorded history of Jesus. 

"Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.  Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah,  weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”-Matthew 2:16-18 

Jesus, the Baby King, was a miracle over and over again. I am always grateful to revisit the wonder in the statistics. 

Today, I am grateful for a story of three kings. 

Enough

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 353: Today, I am grateful for the "enough."  

Enough is a word that plagues many of us this season. Did I make enough food? Is the gift I am giving enough? Is my coat enough for the weather? Is my departure time early enough? When faced with an "enough question" it seems as if there is a right and a wrong answer. 

How often do we battle with "enough questions" that all have the same root question... "Am I enough?"

This verse came up again today. It seemed perfect. 

"The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God." -Luke 1:35 NLT

How could an ordinary girl carry the Son of the Most High God in her womb? The miracle of the incarnation combined with her humble birth and status of her betrothal to an ordinary carpenter. She must have had endless questions, but she did what I fail to do sometimes when faced with daunting tasks or trials. "Mary pondered these things in her heart" and trusted the One who put the plan in place. To trust like Mary is a great life goal. To trust God's enough is a better way to live. 

By God's grace and the blood of the lamb, the answer is a resounding "Yes, we are enough!" If God calls us to something, He will be our "enough." Mary trusted Gabriel's words and found them to be true when they were tested. 

Joseph questioned if he was enough, too. How do you act as earthly father to the Son of God? He was a man of integrity and could put food on the table, but was he "enough" to raise Jesus? 

There is a modern quote that goes well with this thought: "What if I fall? But, Darling, what if you fly? 

How often do we unintentionally limit God with our fears? Do we fear the falling or the flying? 

He numbers the stars and calls them by name. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. The universe maintains order by His design. He is our enough. Rest in that knowledge when the season spins out of control.

Today, I am grateful for the "enough."

God's Timing

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 352: Today, I am grateful for God's timing. 

We are one week from Christmas. This year has flown by so quickly. It is true that time goes faster as we get older. As I reflect, I can sometimes see God's hand clearly. Other years, I have no clue, I know to trust His heart. He is the puzzle master. His desire is that we may seek and know the truth and find freedom and hope.

This scripture captures some of the wonder:

"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago." -Luke 1:68-70

From Luke's perspective, there is the promise, the prophecies fulfilled, and the hope of things yet to come. In the crazy days of the season, the wonder can be lost. God's timing is impeccable. He never shows up late. Sometimes we have to wait. 

His timing is better than ours. 

Today, I am grateful for God's timing. 

 

Those Who Haul the Stuff

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 351: Today, I am grateful for those who haul the stuff. 

They create the magic. From our delivery people to our work custodians and maintenance teams, they are extra busy this season. Within our own families, we need stuff hauled. Sometimes, we forget to show them the love they deserve. 

I think of the donkey that helped carry Mary to Bethlehem. She had the most precious of cargo within her womb for a very special delivery. 

Look for those who could use a word of encouragement or a word of gratitude today. 

Today, I am grateful for those who haul the stuff. 

Vitamin C

Daily Gratitude Y ear 13 - Day 349: Today, I am grateful for vitamin C.

Mama Ina Mae was ahead of the curve. She treated most things with vitamins, oils, salves, and teas. If you live long enough... you become your mother. 

I am especially grateful for vitamin C. Whenever I start to feel "not quite right" a heavy dose always seems to help. In these winter months, we miss the days of fresh produce and farmer's markets. We are blessed to live in a time where we can go to a supermarket and pick up just about anything our heart's desire. 

As I looked at this list of fruits and veggies, I cannot help but note that some are root vegetables that were kept in root cellars. When the days are short, the sun is far away, and our bodies still in need of vitamin C, our diet can still provide. 

The earth needs the winter months to refresh and restore. Humans still need to eat. Pickling has long been a way of having food through the winter months. 

Red Cabbage is a good example. The fermentation process involved in making pickled red cabbage helps to increase the bioavailability of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Pickling food isn't just for flavor and preservation, it turns out that it is really good for us. 

I never cease to by amazed of the "new things" science is discovering that have been woven into our diets for thousands of years. 

"Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. -Genesis 1:11-12

Today, I am grateful for vitamin C.

12 Christmas Prayers

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 349: Today, I am grateful for "12 Christmas Prayers."

The temptation is real. It is easy to chase "the perfect" meals, gifts, and glitter and miss the real meaning of Christmas. I found these 12 Christmas prayers and thought it worth sharing. 

Each one focuses on the things that matter. They are prayers that help us escape the madness and find the manger. 

Simple, but not without challenges in a world with so many distractions. 

Have a great Monday! 

Today, I am grateful for 12 Christmas Prayers 

Mary's Best "Yes!"

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 348: Today, I am grateful for Mary's "Yes."     

God interrupted Mary's plan. She was betrothed (which is more official than our modern day engagement). She was getting ready for the home she and Joseph would make together. The dowery with her father had been discussed. 

She would make and gather items for their home. Joseph would get a home ready for them to share. Joseph, most likely, made their furniture or traded with another carpenter. It is typically an exciting season for any young couple... then and now. 

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. -Luke 1:34-38       

Her pregnancy gave Joseph the right... by the law... to have her stoned for her presumed "infidelity." On the other hand, what was she supposed to do? Tell the angel to tell God "no?" The angel said that she would carry holiness within her womb. 

She had only to look in the mirror to see a girl who sought God's face, but she knew she was not perfect. She was not holy. How could she... an ordinary girl... give birth to holiness? Her womb would cradle holy. 

The Holy Spirit came upon her. It was not about who she was... it was about who He is. 

I love that God gave Mary and Elizabeth overlapping pregnancies. Both were miraculous... only one was holy. They could share the wonder and the wonderful. They could share the stares and discomfort, too. 

Today, I am grateful for Mary's "Yes."  

The Incarnation

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 347: Today, I am grateful for the incarnation. 

The incarnation of Jesus is one of those concepts that is hard to wrap my head around at times. To commit thirty-three trips around the sun in human form that included hunger, pain, sorrow, and all of the other things we feel is mind boggling to me. 

I love this quote from a Max Lucado book: 

"God became a man.  While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived.  Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb. The omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable.  He who had been spirit became pierce-able. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo.  And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl." -God Came Near, Max Lucado

The full legitimacy of His human experience began in the womb of a teenage girl. She was no expert. Joseph was not, either, but together, they would figure it out. They would know the difficult and the wondrous... and in a tiny town called Bethlehem, heaven and earth would collide with the birth of a baby boy who would change the course of history. 

Angels would sing. Wisemen would follow a star. Shepherds would witness the glory of the newborn King in his mother's arms as his earthly father watched over them both. Is it any wonder we continue to be in awe of the nativity of Christ? 

What kind of love leaves heaven for earth's human trials and troubles? 

This was my verse for the day: 

"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." -1 John 4:16 NLT

What kind of love? The kind of love that submitted to a womb... and then a manger... and then a carpenter's table... and then a cross and a tomb. All of these sacrifices were made for us. It is a love like no other. I do not have to understand it to drink the living water and experience the light of His love. 

Today, I am grateful for the incarnation. 

Nights by the Fire

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 346: Today, I am grateful for the nights by the fire. 

When we purchased our current home nearly 30 years ago, we were so excited about the wood burning fireplace. Thirty years later, it is still one of our favorite things. 

We love it at autumn's first chill. We treasure its magic on Christmas morning. We savor it when the winter temperatures dip low. The scent fills the neighborhood and my heart. 

As I looked for the perfect scripture, this one showed up in my search. I thought it was great advice as we head into the holiday season. Too much time on social media is not good for the soul. Showing grace in our conversations and avoiding gossip is always a wise choice. 

"Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. -Proverbs 26:20-21

Make moments and memories this season. Build bridges not walls. Delight in the wonder of a fire in the fireplace... or pull one up on the television screen if you do not have a fireplace. You can enjoy the crackles and the glow, even without the heat. 

Today, I am grateful for the nights by the fire. 

Magic Makers

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 345: Today, I am grateful for the magic makers. 

They are the ones who are up late and up early attending to the details of this busy Christmas season. They are the magic makers. I might cook and clean, but the Love of My Life does so much this season to help get ready for our celebrations. I am so grateful for his helping hands. 

Magic makers are everywhere in our lives. They go unnoticed at times. They are the kitchen committees in our churches and the maintenance and custodial teams. They are in early and stay late. Sometimes, they get tired, too. 

"For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. -Romans 14:17-19

God sees you. We see you. Thank you. 

Today, I am grateful for the magic makers. 

Wednesday Giggle

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 344: Today, I am grateful for a Wednesday giggle. 

"Don't mess with me! I'm a wooden spoon, lead paint, no car seat, no bike helmet, pickup bed ridin', garden' hose drinkin' survivor." 

This image made me giggle. It captured my childhood in a nutshell. 

It is hump day! The days are fuller than ever this time of year. There always seems to be more on the "to do" list than time allows. We will survive it one task at a time. 

Take on the day. You can do it. Remember to take some time to "be still." 

"“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” -Psalm 46:10

Today, I am grateful for a Wednesday giggle. 

Small Doses of Novelty

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 343: Today. I am grateful for small doses of novelty. 

"Studies show that short, novel experiences - a day trip, an unplanned hike, exploring a new street - boost dopamine and reset mood. You do not need a grand vacation. You need interruption. The brain thrives on small doses of novelty. Routine keeps you alive. Novelty makes you feel alive." - unknown

Yes! We all need a little novelty in our lives. Good interruptions can help us reset our day and our perspectives. Random acts of kindness do this. Sending someone an encouraging note can, too. Try a new morning beverage brand or flavor. It is not a big commitment, but new discoveries abound when we take a tiny step out of our everyday routines. 

I cannot help but think of Mary when an angel interrupted her ordinary life to invite her into the most amazing plot twist in her life. 

"Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings ,favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!" Luke 1:28-30

A strange man shows up with some big news about an unexpected novel path for her life. "Greetings" was what he said. She was surely shocked. But then he called her "favored." "Kecharitomene," the original Greek word translated “favored one,” means having received favor, mercy or grace. It does not mean “full of grace.” She was favored and chosen. She was not full of grace, but she would carry grace in her womb. Imagine her pregnancy glow! 

Talk about a reset on her day, her week, her month, and her life. From wedding planning to baby planning without experiencing the typical path to pregnancy. A new chapter was not only beginning in her life, but the baby she carried would save the world. 

Today. I am grateful for small doses of novelty.

Snow Brush

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 342: Today. I am grateful for a snow brush.

The winter is so much easier to bear when you have the right tools (and a warm coat). I am not very tall so it is difficult to brush snow from my car windows without a tool to help. The snow brush is a simple tool that makes a world of difference. 

It requires no batteries or a power cord. It quietly sits in the back of your vehicle until it is needed. It shortens the work of gets you on the road faster.       

"He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes." -147:16

On this 8th day of December, we still have snow on the ground from the Thanksgiving weekend storm. I cannot remember the last time we had snow on the ground every day of December. We will see what the week brings. There are some warmer temperatures ahead. The snow may disappear or a little more may fall. If it comes, I am grateful for the right tools.                                                

Today. I am grateful for a snow brush. 

2nd Sunday of Advent

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 341: Today I am grateful for the second Sunday of Advent. 

With a focus on the prophecies of the Messiah in the Old Testament. So many years from the prophecy to the coming of Jesus that many missed it. It seems so clear to us. We can pick up our Bibles and read it clearly. 

Our Sunday school lesson included the best quote from Max Lucado's book "When God Came" but I cannot find it. When looking, I found another from the book that is perfect:

“She touches the face of the infant-God. How long was your journey! This baby had overlooked the universe. These rags keeping him warm were the robes of eternity. His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty sheep pen. And worshiping angels had been replaced with kind but bewildered shepherds. Meanwhile, the city hums. The merchants are unaware that God has visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he had just sent God into the cold.” ― Max Lucado, God Came Near: God's Perfect Gift 

Are we so different today? We are so busy that it is easy to miss the moments that matter. 

The incarnation is such a miracle. That God's seed would grow in the womb of an ordinary girl who was loved by an ordinary man. The Bible is clear that she was untouched by Joseph. No intimacy shared in marriage consummation. Yet, Joseph cared for her so tenderly as she carried God's son. Did it feel like a dream? 

The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was surely long and difficult with her pregnancy being full term. Seriously, I cannot imagine her discomfort. Did they question God when there was no room in the inn? 

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel. (Micah 5:2)’ " -Matthew 2:5-6

The Bread of Life was about to arrive in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means "House of Bread." God wove so many intricacies into the birth of His Son. He had been waiting for the right time and the right couple. It all came together as promised. He keeps his promises. 

Today I am grateful for the second Sunday of Advent. 

Peppermint Tea

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 340: Today I am grateful for Peppermint Tea. 

I do not have tea every day,  but I drink it often. I prefer the herbals, but have some favorites like a  "London Fog" made with Lady Grey with a little lavender, too. Peppermint Tea is one of my top 10 favorite teas. Probably, it makes the top 5, but I did not make a list. 

Twinings has a shop at Epcot that is one of the most charming shops in the World Showcase. I love to take my time looking for something I have not seen before. 

I am reminded again and again that there is healing in plants and herbs. I've used them often. Mama Ina Mae taught me well. Peppermint tea is wonderful for tummy troubles. It is a cozy choice at the end of the day and it will not keep  you awake. 

Mama always had mint tea in the tea basket. My personal favorite in childhood is one she and my sweet Uncle Lee favored. It was "Boston's Creme de Menthe" and it came in a tin that could be recycled to keep treasures. My dear roommate, Laurie Jean, and I drank it in college on many nights. Mint is marvelous... and peppermint is my favorite. 

"Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”-Ezekiel 47:12

The Christmas season is the perfect time to pull out the peppermint tea. Sharing it with a friend is even better! 

Today I am grateful for Peppermint Tea.