Food Trucks

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 316: Today, I am grateful for food trucks. 

One of the wonders of modern life is the popularity of food trucks and travel trailers. We have a "Farmer's Market" every Tuesday during the summer. It is mostly a food truck fair each week, but there are also some vegetables, flowers, shops, and honey represented. We try to attend whenever we can to support the efforts of those who work to bring fun things to our little village. It seems to grow a bit each summer. We miss it when it is done for the winter.

In recent years, Morton Public Library's Friday "Groove in the Garden" concerts have included a couple of food trucks, too. If you miss Tuesday, head to Hannah's Garden on Friday night. There is always a little something for everyone, with great music and good food.

This image from "Cottage Whimsy" was posted on Pinterest. It made me laugh. I agree...a fall food truck is a great idea! Honestly, some food trucks are willing to come to local business events, so be sure to give them a call.

I am grateful for the people who bring hot food and beverages, cool treats, baked goods, and unique items to us by way of food trucks. I am also grateful for those who organize the events and coordinate the vendors. Throwing a "party" every week requires work and dedication. Look for opportunities to support these vendors if they are out and about during the fall and winter months.

I wish you a day that includes cozy music, hot soup, warm bread, and your favorite warm beverage. And don't forget food for your soul.

"But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” -Matthew 4:4

Today, I am grateful for food trucks. 

Our Veteran's & The Mayflower Compact

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 315: Today, I am grateful for our veterans and the Mayflower Compact (11/11/1620).

*Historical date note at the bottom of this post.

(Long post warning)

From 1620 to 1776, the land we now call home consisted of colonies under British rule. To think that the Mayflower passengers identified themselves as Saints and Strangers shows that there was diversity from the very start. Hardship bonded them together. Most scholars agree that the Mayflower Compact was an impressive document that influenced the writers of the Constitution of the United States of America. The religious separatists and everyone else came together to establish a framework for living differently, but together in community, under God, and with the opportunity before them.

The Mayflower Compact was signed 406 years ago today at Cape Cod, on November 11, 1620, by forty-one men who, as subjects of King James, combined themselves into a "civill body politick" and promised due obedience to its just and equal laws for the general good of the colony. The Mayflower Compact was not a constitution. Its framework was borrowed from a Puritan church covenant and adapted to a civil situation.

The Pilgrim and Stranger founders were not perfect, but the Compact was based on a Puritan covenant, with its fundamental principles of self-government and common consent. Historians concur that it was an important step in the evolution of democratic government in America. What many do not know is that a covenant includes God as a party to the agreement. If you read the Mayflower Compact, God is included.

If you have followed "Daily Gratitude" for very long, you know my red, white, and blue runs through my veins. I used to lament not having deeper roots in this country. Genealogy research has given me new insight and knowledge. Edward Fuller is my 11th great-grandfather. He signed that Compact. My 11th great-grandmother, Mrs. Edward Fuller, and their son, my 10th great-grandfather John, were there that day, too. He was only twelve. John married Jane Lothrop, and their line married into the Heath, Crippen, Calkins, and St. John families. These names are rich in Revolutionary War history.

Members of that same family tree were Pearl Harbor survivors (Great-Uncle Lloyd, Aunt Emma, and two other St. John cousins). Some were warriors, and others didn't mean to be. My grandmother never talked about her brother's experiences in the war, but my cousin Angie has a piece of jewelry from Grandma Opal Maxine that was often given to sweethearts (or, we believe in this case, little sisters) during the war. I am so grateful she has it and treasures it.

Dad served in the Army between wars. Uncle Mel was in Japan during the Korean War. My sister, April, served in the Air Force at Kadena, Okinawa, Japan, when she died from an undiagnosed heart defect. Dad had several uncles who did not survive WWI. They were lost to illness, not in battle. The Swedish and German immigrants on that side of the family proudly served the country they chose and came to love. They brought family recipes, faith, traditions, and even superstitions, but they gratefully chose a new country, a new language, and a new place to call home. They proudly served in the Armed Forces, at their churches, and in their communities.

Dad never failed to help a veteran if he had the chance or saw one in need. Honestly, our entire rural community embraced our veterans and their families. I do not think I understood how much until I heard some of the stories as an adult. Random acts of kindness, not just today, but every day.

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

Today, I am grateful for our veterans and the Mayflower Compact (11/11/1620).

*Date Note: (November 11, 1620, is the traditional date associated with the signing of the Mayflower Compact. However, the date was recorded using the Julian calendar. The corresponding Gregorian date was November 21, 1620. November 11th is the traditional anniversary.)

Paul's Letters

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 314: Today, I am grateful for Paul's letters. 

This passage is one of my forever favorites:

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Paul is writing to people he cares for deeply during times of persecution and uncertainty. He does not know what tomorrow brings but he is 100% sure he knows who holds tomorrow. 

The Love of My Life and I just read "The Greatest Salesman in the Word" by Og Mandino. It was new to him but it has long been a big influence on how I want to live. "I will greet this day with love in my heart." is one of the 10 scrolls in the book. Gratitude and love go together. To wake up and give thanks for a heart that still beats and plenty of purpose to fulfill. 

There are times we walk through seasons that make no sense. Difficulties and discouragement are a part of this world, but we are just passing through. We do not need to have it all or grab it all while we are here. You can look at the front of any magazine and see evidence that wealth, fortune, and fame are fleeting and the "happy" is short-lived and shallow. 

Connections, community, and a call to feed the hungry, help the sick, and shelter those in need is a life-style that leads to a peace, joy, and the kind of wealth that money cannot buy. It only comes when we learn to greet each day with love, prayer, and hope. 

Today, I am grateful for Paul's letters. 

Warm Holiday Beverages

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 313: Today, I am grateful for warm holiday beverages.

There is something about the smell and taste of certain holiday beverages that make us feel cozy and warm no matter the weather. They are the beverages that show up in Hallmark movies, although I feel my favorite wassail has not been given equal time and it is magical. 

I had, what I believe is my first Starbucks Holiday Peppermint Mocha Latte (decaf) on a road trip with the Love-of-My-Life on Saturday. I now understand why it is so loved. Oh my goodness! It was delicious. 

Food traditions are a big part of most family holidays. Wassail was always on the stove at our big Bess Thanksgiving. I have such fond memories of sitting with my nieces to keep watch over the pot, sampling until it was ready. It took a little time, but it was so worth it. It was a favorite of my Aunt Judy Hanson, and this season I will think of her when I start the first pot. 

Our Wassail recipe is my favorite. My Sister-in-Love, Jennifer, asked those making the Central High School Madrigal meal for the recipe and they graciously shared it. That recipe is now deeply woven into Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's for our family. The leftovers are stretched and savored between each holiday. The scent alone says "welcome home."  

CHS Madrigal Wassail
★★★★★
Ingredients

3 quarts 100% Cranberry Juice
4 Quarts 100% Apple Juice
1 Cup Brown Sugar
6-8 Cinnamon Sticks
1 1/2 Tablespoons Cloves (whole or ground)

Directions: Let it come to the bubble before the boil. Simmer together. Serve warm. 

Notes: Save juice bottles for leftovers. Enjoy between the holidays all season long. 

From my Madrigal friends, enjoy the memory. I've had others, but ours is my favorite and it is simple. When you need a taste of the holidays, the local coffee shops and Starbucks are happy to provide some goodness. 

Wassail was served by the Lords and Ladies. It certainly feels rich and royal. I hope you enjoy a pot or two this season. Share it with joy and gratitude. Share it with strangers, family, and friends. I love this reminder to share with those in need:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ -Matthew 25:34-26

Today, I am grateful for warm holiday beverages.

Slow Down

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 312: Today, I am grateful for reminders to slow down.

Earworm started singing the 59th Street Bridge Song (Feeling Groovy) by the legendary Simon and Garfunkel. I used it in a gratitude challenge I am currently leading at work, and Earworm is still singing it, even after worship this morning. "Slow down, you move too fast. You gotta make the morning last..."

This complements yesterday's post, but it is not the same. This is not holiday-related. Today is a reminder to look for opportunities to slow down in our ordinary days, from January through December... Sunday through Saturday.

I am grateful for the people, life events, and places that make us slow down and evaluate our priorities. Our message at church this morning was a perfect complement to this thought. The "other things" can become thistles and thorns that keep us from fully living our lives as intended. Let God manage the troubles and trials, and trust in His plan.

We are so blessed by the people in our family whom people the world often misunderstands or underestimates. My Aunt Helen was about 13 when I was born. As a toddler, her brain was impacted by a very high fever associated with spinal meningitis. There is no doubt about her place of honor in our family. Her abilities vary with the task, and she has a remarkable range of things she knows how to do. The things she knows how to do, she does well and wholeheartedly. She loves to play games and was our favorite childhood companion. With her great-nieces and great-nephews, she is equally adored. Aunt Helen never lacks a dance partner at family weddings.

Our family was blessed again when Cousin Molly and her husband, Brian, welcomed their third beautiful daughter, Alyssa. She arrived with Down syndrome. I finally found my picture of Aunt Helen holding her as a baby. It is priceless to me. I remember appreciating that Molly and Brian trusted Aunt Helen to hold her. This picture of Alyssa with her foot in her mouth is one every parent of a child with Down syndrome will appreciate.

Slowing down can mean choosing a French press over a K-cup. It can mean stove tops and crock pots over microwaves. It can be slowing to walk with the elderly, a child, or the health challenged. It is looking with love and humility at those who are "slow" because we have so much to learn from these special people. Those who slow us down often help us see the important, the honest, and the true things around us more clearly. 

This passage is straight from our morning worship. Jesus reminded Martha to slow down and not miss what is important being too busy. 

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.” – Luke 10:41

There is freedom and "treasure" in slowing down.

Today, I am grateful for reminders to slow down.

Savor... Don't Rush

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 311: Today, I am grateful for the chance to savor, and not rush the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. 

I am a firstborn. I am a rule follower. I adore Thanksgiving and Christmas is the most joyful time of the year. I used to have strict rules to protect my beloved Thanksgiving holiday. I have mellowed on this matter over the past fourteen years. 

Life goes by too swiftly to not squeeze out every sweet moment of the season and to delight in every decoration. For us, mixing pumpkins and Christmas is completely normal, as we live in the Pumpkin Capital. It can be done whatever your "style" of decorating might be. 

Letting go of the rules has freed us and allowed us to enjoy the season more. The only Smith house rule is that the tree comes down swiftly after Christmas, but that is only in the Smith house. You make your own rules.

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

Today, I am grateful for the chance to savor, and not rush the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. 

Fire Refines

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 310: Today, I am grateful for fire.

"Fire reveals. Water restores. God uses both." 

We are doing a gratitude challenge at work. Someone shared a quote about dealing with hardship and adversity. He is a history teacher, so I know he has seen many good quotes. This one was succinct. 

"Fire will either burn your house down or refine you."

It is true. And somewhere in between, it can keep your house warm. 

Our current culture seems to perpetuate and glory in discord and disagreement. Disagreement can be like fire. It can help us explore what we know, what we think we know, and if we use conflict as a tool for growth, it can help refine. 

Power in any human's hand can lead to destruction. It can, also, be a path to solving big problems. When the Queen of Sheba of Ethiopia journeyed to meet King Solomon in Jerusalem, the ancient world watched. It is recorded in the Bible. It is repeated in a 1st-century account by Josephus. She is credited with bringing the first balsam trees to Israel. The account of her time there is interesting. I am reminded that we only see small parts of the puzzle in the story of God and man. 

I love this passage. 

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” – 1 Corinthians 3:13

We had a pastor who used to say in difficult situations, "Do you want to throw water on it or gasoline?" It depends on the situation. Burning road ditches is good for the land. Wildfires are not. It is situational. 

Water will be another day's discussion. 

Today, I am grateful for fire.

Temporary Shelter

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 309: Today, I am grateful for temporary shelter.

I loved this image of someone sitting on a bench under an umbrella beneath the flaming gold and orange leaves. What struck me was that the umbrella was not being used to go from place to place. It was acting as a temporary shelter. The person might not be waiting for anyone or anything. Perhaps, they are simply enjoying the scent, the leaves, and a misty rain. 

I have fond memories of going for walks with Randy in our days at Olivet. I always had a big golf umbrella with plenty of room for friends. It was a little like "Thidwick, the Big Hearted Moose" on the way to class some days with others joining under the umbrella. When it was just the two of us, there was plenty of covering for a walk in the rain to enjoy the scents, sights, and sounds that come with a gentle rain or snow. 

 Temporary shelters are for a certain time, place, or situation. When we need them, they are not a luxury but a necessity. Think of caves(not temporary, but can provide temporary shelter), tents, and other ways we escape the elements. Humans have been relying on temporary shelter to travel from place to place for all of history. Some cultures never build permanent homes the way we do. They move when it is necessary and for different reasons. 

I'm fascinated with Moses and the people of Israel in the desert years. Forty years of moving around because the time was not right. God led; they followed. They were fed, had water, and lived under temporary shelter. 

Leviticus 23:42-43 states: "You are to live in booths for seven days; all native-born Israelites are to live in such booths so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." This passage emphasizes the importance of remembering God's provision during their journey.

It has been a year of loss of two very special people who had a hand in raising Matthew, April, and me. Aunt Judy and "Aunt" Marilyn let go of their temporary shelters of their eternal souls. It was good for them, but we still miss them. I am grateful to have shared their temporary homes and their lives. 

Today, I am grateful for temporary shelter.

Soup Season

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 308: Today, I am grateful for soup season.  

"This and soup on the stove." 

The fall rains have begun. On Sunday, I was greeted by my  buddy Mike who is a farmer. I shared that we finished the harvest back home and only have the ground to work. Wind and rain on harvest ready fields is not always a good combination. 

Mike replied with the air of someone who has been on a tractor his entire life, "A farmer should never complain about the rain." I agreed 100%. The ground needs it to restore as do the wells and everything else impacted by rain. After the crop is out it is even better. We prefer the rain to come gently and with space in between the days. We don't want much, right? 

There is nothing like a cascade of fall color with soup on the stove or in the crock pot. I think I have even recently mentioned that chili is not seasonal at our house. We serve it all year round, just like Steak-n-Shake. We love it with cornbread, as a potato topping, and over spaghetti for chili mac. 

There are references to what we could consider soup in the Bible. Gideon's encounter with an angel includes broth, meat, veggies, and unleavened bread. 

"And Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread of an ephah of flour; the meat he put in the basket and the broth he put in the pot, and he brought them out to him under the oak and presented them." -Judges 6:19

Soup season is here! The scent, the flavors, and the way it warms us from head to toe. 

Today, I am grateful for soup season. 

The Good in Every Day

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 307: Today, I am grateful for the good in every day. 

"Find the good in every day. It's usually the little things that we overlook that we should be the most grateful for..."

Every day has something good. We may not see it, hear it, touch it, taste it, or smell it because we move too swiftly through our days. Our instant information, instant food, and instant communication have us moving at warp speed.

In the 1990s, Susan Powter was one of the original infomercial personalities. If she had a marketing tagline, it would be "Stop the insanity!" I don't remember much, as I was in my baby years, but what I do recall was her challenge to step away from instant and fast foods. I remember her saying, "If it doesn't grow that way, don't eat it." She didn't mean that everything had to be raw. She meant a carrot should be a carrot. Whole foods and good foods. Ultimately, her message was about slowing down, choosing good food, and prioritizing wellness. Funny how things come full circle.

The good in every day can be uncovered when we stop and explore our five senses. In our house, we are sensitive to scents. We want our house to smell clean and good. Our Walker once walked into the house and declared, "Mom, I love the smell of mopped." I hold on to that memory whenever I am performing that normally thankless and ordinary household chore. Perhaps there is a little extra gratitude that comes with that memory.

Don't miss the good in this ordinary day. We can only find it when we slow down. Psalm 46:10 is often quoted, but the whole verse matters:

"He says, '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

More than just a pause and a moment of thoughtfulness, there is a recognition of a mighty and powerful God who created the universe and then chose to have a relationship with His creation.

Today, I am grateful for the good in every day.

A Sharp Knife

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 306: Today, I am grateful for a sharp knife.

At the end of nearly fourteen years, I am not sure "a sharp knife" has ever made the list at the end of nearly fourteen years. A sharp knife is a kitchen necessity. Knife and blade making is an ancient art. It is necessary for cooking. Can be used for digging if it is the only thing you have on hand. I can chop, dice, and slice... as long as it is sharp. 

Not long ago, the kids gave me a knife as a gift. It is one of my favorites for chopping veggies and many other things. Every time I use it, I think of them and am reminded that the right tool for any job makes it easier. 

I grew up watching the original "MacGyver" on television. He can make anything and escape trouble with a Swiss army knife and a roll of duct tape. In that show, sharp knives saved lives in many episodes. When facing a difficult situation, the right tool at the right time is a game changer. 

Often gratitude inspires me to find a certain passage of scripture. Today, the scripture came first. It was in my inbox. I don't carry a sword, but I use a knife everyday. I am grateful when the knife is sharp. 

God's Word is the right tool at the right time. It is full of answers. There are times it cuts sharp and deep. If we read only the happy, feel good passages, we miss the meat and the heart of the scriptures. We miss the power, the wonder, and the wonderful. 

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  Hebrews 4:12

When a passage cuts us like a two-edged sword, we have a choice. Close the book and ignore the Spirit, or work through the discomfort and pain. I am not an athlete, but I know that when it starts to burn and hurt, the true athlete does not quit. In fact, they recognize that their bodies are being transformed by the training.  Discomfort during training isn't necessarily a sign that something is wrong. Sometimes it is part of becoming stronger.

It is the same with God's Word. Keep digging. Keep reading. Keep praying for discernment. When was the last time a passage of Scripture challenged you in a way that made you uncomfortable? Did you put it down, or did you allow God to use it to sharpen you?

Today, I am grateful for a sharp knife.

Gratitude Transforms

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 305: Today, I am grateful gratitude transforms. 

It is November. On this day, find a notebook page with 30 lines and record one thing you are grateful for the entire month. (Or post it in the comments here, if you would like to share it publicly. 

If you struggle for ideas (due to the pressure of a decision) I always turn to my five senses. What do I see, touch, taste, hear, or smell that inspires gratitude? It is a great way to get grounded when grasping for an idea. Gratitude changes everything.

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough." -Melody Beattie

I know this quote oozes with truth. We cannot always change our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond. Take the pause to ponder or pray. That moment can transform a clump of grump into a hallelujah. I've been accused of putting on "rose colored glasses" or people assume I've been spared the really hard stuff. Being grateful in all things is what turns what we have into enough.

My life has been full of blessings, but in truth everyone you meet... including me and you... has a story and a chapter in their lives that could break your heart. It is why we are told that "The greatest of these is love." It is love that carries us through the storms and goes with us into the deep valleys.  It is love that zips our lips and listens instead of sharing our own trials and hardships. Those who show up when we weep are the ones we want on the mountain top celebrations, too. 

Everyone has lived loss, struggle, disappointment, and trials that seem to never end in some seasons. To show grace and mercy when it is hard is good for the recipient, but it is equally powerful in our own lives. Expressing thanksgiving in all things is powerful. I've never thought about it before, but did Jesus's last words on the cross include gratitude, too? "It is finished." I cannot humanly grasp the weight or the layers in that statement, but I am a recipient of His work and His gift. 

Romans 12:15 is a favorite of mine. (I know... you see it often.)

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." 

If you have been walking this gratitude journey long, you might have it memorized, too. Let it guide this month of Thanksgiving. Who rejoiced with you? Who sat with you or hugged you in loss or disappointment. These are powerful gifts from a God who delights in our expressions of gratitude. 

"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." -Psalm 22:3 

He is enthroned by our praise! Psalm 22 is a statistical curiosity when you lay it beside the four Gospels record of the Crucifixion. King David, around 1000 BC, penned them prophetically;  Jesus spoke Psalm 22:1 from the cross. 

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?

Barely able to catch his breath, Jesus chose the words of Psalm 22. He knew the mission. He would have preferred to skip it, as is documented, but he went willingly. He walked the road of suffering in love, trusting that God would accept the sacrifice of the "perfect lamb" for all who choose Him. Fully man and fully God, he changed everything. And, in that final moment, he said in exhaustion, in pain, in victory, and might we suggest... gratitude? It is finished." 

However you record it, find moments to be grateful for this next month. 

Today, I am grateful gratitude transforms. 

Wise Warnings

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 304: Today, I am grateful for wise warnings. 

Today was gorgeous! A beautiful end to October. 

On this Halloween, this quote struck me as perfect for a day when many are in costumes and pretending to be superheroes, cowboys, princesses, and wherever their imagination takes them. Imagination is fun, but lies and deceit are a tactic of the enemy of our souls.  

"The enemy always attacks identity first. 
He did it with Eve. 
He did it with Jesus in the wilderness. 
'If you really are...'

That's the oldest tactic in the book. If he can shake who you believe you are, your decisions start bending around the lie." -Rachel Green Taylor

Such a wise observation of a timeless battle plan that often works leaving us feeling defeated. We forget who we are and we were meant to be. Bless my "Earworm"... he is singing "Child of the One True King" by Matthew West. That is a great battle song when we start to question who we are because of the enemy's lies. 

This passage was perfect for the quote and the day: 

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are." -1 Peter 5:8-9

Stick together. Remember who you are in Him. Stand strong. You've got this!    

Today, I am grateful for wise warnings. 

October Weather

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 303: Today, I am grateful for October weather. 

2026 provided a real spring and a real fall. Sometimes my favorite seasons are short-changed when May gets hot and never lets up until October is nearly gone. This year, it seems we have had a true spring and a true fall. 

With October nearly gone, I smiled at this definition of October weather:

Sweater in the morning, heat stroke by noon, and  electric blanket by 8 pm.

Yes! That is fall. A little bit of everything in twenty-four hours. The leaves are stunning this year. It seems all of the conditions were met for full color. With a warm beverage in hand and my "earworm" singing "How Great Thou Art"... let the day begin!  

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” – Isaiah 55:12

Today, I am grateful for October weather. 

Blursday

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 302: Today, I am grateful we can press on.  

Blursday: When you are not sure what day of the week it is. 

This week has been a full moon on a Sunday-Monday kind of week, but we have made it to Thursday. It might feel more like a "Blursdays," but we can trust that there is a weekend in sight. 

It is good to be reminded that humans have very real struggles that come with the very real joys in each and every day and week. I love reminders to press on. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

We each have our own race... at our own pace. Some move through with the speed and grace of the deer. Others are more snail or sloth speed. Both will cross the finish line with different lessons on the journey. 

Whatever your pace, take on this "Blursday" with courage and the commitment to press on. 

Today, I am grateful we can press on. 

His Word Stands

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 301: Today, I am grateful His Word stands. 

Truth and fiction seem to have blurring lines these days. AI makes it easier to offer up false things as true. Texting, social media posts, and emails are not truly gone when deleted. It is wise to be careful with our words. Bambi's friend Thumper used to quote his mother, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." 

This quote is funny, but true. 

"Dance like no one is watching, but text and email like it will be read in court one day." -Your Lawyer

Text and emails do not have the added information that comes from tone of voice or history. It reads as a flat out fact to be ascribed to the sender. Sarcasm is known to be the most hurtful form of humor, but it is very much a part of our culture. It can be funny, but it is often unkind.

I love that the truth in God's Word stands on its own; it does not need us to defend it. Revelations of truth can be slow, but they are sure. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul lists patience among other virtues as fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, and peace. Patience, or "makrothumia" in Greek, refers to the ability to endure difficult situations and to wait without complaining. Many can and do endure. It is the "without complaining" that can be tough. Misery loves company and the "complain train" only picks up speed once it leaves the station. 

C.S. Lewis put forth the challenge to set truth free and watch it defend itself. His Word will stand. 

"As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you." -1Peter 1:24-25 

Today, I am grateful His Word stands.

The Age of Autumn

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 300: Today, I am grateful for the age of autumn. 

"At this age, I remind myself of a tree in autumn. More colorful than I used to be, a bit creaky, losing bits and pieces all the time, holding on through the storms, but could topple over at any time."

There is much truth in this little observation of growing older. It probably applies at forty, fifty, and sixty as much as it does at seventy. There is something wonderful about reaching an age where "more colorful" is a compliment and accepting that things get lost, misplaced, or we simply can't remember where we put them. I have been using the "red button" car finder in the Walmart and Kroger parking lot since my thirties. Have you? 

It is funny how we make adjustments. Instead of using the "car finder," it is easier to park in the same general spot. Being consistent with "one spot" for things that get lost often helps, as does the "Find my Phone" app when necessary. 

"Holding on through the storms" sometimes changes from a sense of hope into a stubborn determination against the forces of nature that arrives with maturity. 

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." -Ecclesiastes 3:1

Whatever season of life you are currently experiencing, embrace it. Look for the "autumn" aspects in every season. Embrace it. Seize the good, the beautiful, and the fierce aspects of each day. 

Today, I am grateful for the age of autumn. 

Two Grams of Protein

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 299: Today, I am grateful for 2 grams of protein. 

"I don't know who needs to hear this... but a Reese's Pumpkin has 2 grams of protein."

This week, many will choose to eat the Reese's. If you know you know. I am a dark chocolate girl all the way, but the original Reese's Peanut Butter Cup is a classic. I know two grams of protein does not justify the sugar, but it made me smile. 

A standard Reese's Peanut Butter Cup contains approximately 2 grams of protein. In a serving of two cups, the protein content increases to about 4 grams. Easy math and an easy decision. (The same is true from Trader Joe's dark chocolate mini peanut butter cups. 4 grams in a serving and they are my absolute favorite.)

Candy is everywhere this week. It is the start of the season of sweet treats. It is so hard to be good. There is wisdom in moderation. 

“Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 24:13-14

Today, I am grateful for 2 grams of protein. 

Peace and Contentment

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 298: Today, I am grateful for peace and contentment. 

October has thirty-one days, but it still seems to slip by like a whisper in the wind. You wake up one morning and it is suddenly time to turn the calendar to November. I am going to squeeze every ounce of goodness out of October in this last week. 

"There's just something about October that makes my soul feel content and my heart feel at peace." 

October's cooler temperatures work her magic on the trees. Soups come back out as a regular meal choice. Full disclosure... It is always chili season in the Smith House. 

Chili always makes me think of my brother-in-love, Monte. Chili was always a dinner option, any time of year. Monte served it up in Indiana and in Florida, no matter the weather. Sister-in-Love Jan is a great cook, but Monte enjoyed it, too. Especially when it was one of his favorite things. It is one of those things Randy and I agreed upon without even thinking about it when we married. 

There is a sense of peace and contentment that accompanies this time of year, if we allow margins in our schedules. The harvest is still going full throttle, but on Sundays and when the harvest is complete, life takes a different pace that last for a couple of weeks before the holidays kick into high gear. Savor any slow, peaceful, and content moments when you can. In fact, schedule them. Block out time for the things that make you feel peaceful and content. 

"Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"-Luke 12:24

Savor the sweet contentment in knowing our God provides for the birds and for us. 

Today, I am grateful for peace and contentment. 

A World With Octobers

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 297: Today, I am grateful for a world with Octobers. 

I love this quote:

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it? Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

Autumn is glorious! The cool mornings and nights compliment the sun-filled days. The dying leaves become more vibrant before they let go and die to replenish the soil where they land. Oh, it is truly magnificent to live in a world with Octobers. 

It is almost as if the leaves have been soaking in the summer sun just waiting to give it all back in the fall, like a farewell gift before they are gone. It is truly a show I would hate to miss if I lived in a place without fall.  

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

 Today, I am grateful for a world with Octobers. 

Burden Sharing

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 296: Today, I am grateful for burden sharing. 

Sometimes things are just too heavy to carry alone. I am always grateful for the people who step in to help shoulder the load. Our burdens can be physical or emotional. Both are eased when shared. 

We were designed for relationships. We can do hard things, but it is such an encouragement to face tough stuff with a partner, a cheerleader, and a friend. Together we are better. 

"Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." -Galatians 6:2

Today, I am grateful for burden sharing. 

Humor

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 295: Today, I am grateful for humor. 

"Every time you find some humor in a difficult situation, you win." 

Humor can be a great diffuser in times of tension. It must be respectful. Done well, it can be powerful. Humor helps us reframe things that do not make sense. Other times, it helps us laugh at ourselves. There are times it can help us see more clearly, too. 

A little wit can save the day. A little laughter can get endorphins pumping. Finding humor in hard times is a win. Helping others find a little relief through humor can be a random act of kindness. 

"Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!" -Proverbs 15:23

Look for the things that make you laugh. Animal memes with human observations always make me laugh. The internet is full of them. Life is pretty absurd at times; finding humor is not hard if we are intentional. 

Today, I am grateful for humor. 

Sanity Pause

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 294: Today, I am grateful for the reminder to take a sanity pause. 

Do you ever want to stop and shout, "Stop the insanity!" Kurt Vonnegut once said, “A sane person to an insane society must appear insane.” I've liked the quote since high school, and it rings with clarity at this moment in time.  

"I was told technology would eliminate unnecessary work. Instead, I now have sixty passwords, thirteen verification codes, and a robot asking if I'm a robot."

I am not sure we have ever lived in a time when technology has developed so quickly. I remember learning that the first computers filled rooms and now we carry them in our pockets and on our wrists. 

We are living with tools and toys that were science fiction in the recent past. Yet, no one seems to have more time. It does seem a little crazy, doesn't it? 

Sometimes we need a sanity pause. Part of that pause is remembering who God is. Confidence in who He is allows us to relax, even when things seem a bit crazy around us. 

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

The first part of that verse is comforting; the second half is commanding. When the world feels like "too much" we can trust His heart and hand. 

Today, I am grateful for the reminder to take a sanity pause.   

love, justice, and truth are connected

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 293: Today, I am grateful love, justice, and truth are connected. 

"Courage separated from justice, separated from wisdom, is hardly a virtue at all. In fact, it may be a recipe for evil." 

I saw this image and searched to find the author of this quote. I could not find one. I did find that it reflects the Stoic virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation. Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus have long been in my quote collection. 

Although the quote does not mention "moderation," it is implied. Moderation is about mastering our desires. Wisdom comes from God. Godly wisdom builds courage and helps discern what is injustice and what is just chatter. 

Several years ago, a survey of youth asked the age old question of "What do you want to do when you grow up?" An alarming amount want to be influencers on social media. The world needs more healthcare workers, electricians, plumbers, teachers, farmers, and shop owners. The world needs workers... it has always had plenty of social influencers and many do not know or speak the truth. 

Love, justice, and truth are connected. This was my verse of the day: 

"It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out." -1 Corinthians 13:6

His truth never fails, but it can take time to be revealed. 

Today, I am grateful love, justice, and truth are connected.

Small Things That Keep the Darkness at Bay

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 292: Today, I am grateful for the small things that keep the darkness at bay. 

"I found it is the small, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay... small acts of kindness and love." -Gandalf, The Hobbit, J. R. R. Tolkien

I love the wisdom in this quote. It reminds us that little acts of kindness and love not only matter, they are much more powerful than we realize. Light always dispels darkness and small acts of kindness and love keep us human. We can all do those things. 

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

There will be many opportunities to show grace and love today. Small acts of kindness and love can be exactly what someone else needs to get through this day and this week. Showing up in love and kindness at just the right time is a superpower. No cape needed. 

Today, I am grateful for the small things that keep the darkness at bay. 

Seeds

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 291: Today, I am grateful for seeds.

Randy and I planned to harvest the ready zinnia blooms after church, before the birds could eat them all. There is something deeply calming about sorting through flower heads to see which are ready and which need more days in the sun. The Love of My Life and I have loved watching bees, hummingbirds, and monarchs dip into our flowers for nourishment. Our yard was a favorite stop all summer long, but now we are entering a season of transition.

I felt a quick sting of frustration seeing how many seeds the birds had already devoured from my favorite zinnias. Then, as if the Holy Spirit gently checked my attitude, my heart was directed toward the perfection of God's design. Nothing in nature goes to waste. It’s why birds don’t fret—God provides for their needs, sometimes using our flower beds to do it.

As I worked, butterflies waltzed from bloom to bloom like ballerinas, while bees hovered like toddlers bouncing to a beat only they could hear. We all shared the warm afternoon sunshine, each content in the other's company. It was a day worth savoring.

At church today, we began a series titled "Why Dirt Matters." Seeds featured prominently in the message—a fitting theme for my afternoon in the garden. On the third day of creation, God created vegetation, establishing life, order, and a pattern of resurrection and new beginnings. Hosea 10:12 resonated deeply with me:

"I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ Hosea 10:12

There are plenty of bad seeds in this world, and I know I gathered a few immature ones myself today. But our call is to focus on planting the good seeds. Hosea speaks to the hard ground of our hearts that desperately needs plowing. Though the plowing season can be uncomfortable, it prepares our hearts for the good seed to take root.

Today, I am grateful for seeds.