Sweet Cherries

Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 158: Today, I am grateful for sweet cherries.

Mama Ina Mae likes sweet cherries. Her "Bing Cherry Salad" was a purple fluff dish that delighted at family potlucks. I don't recall ever seeing a recipe or learning to make it. This image says, "Welcome summer!" in the best way. 

Soon we will join with family for a gathering in Traverse City, Michigan. Traverse City is to cherries, what Morton is to pumpkins. 

The summer Traverse City Cherry Festival is always fun. Walking the shops on Front Street by the bay and savoring all the local food and fare. There are local wines, jellies, spice mixes, cherry specialties and so much more. There is a reason people head north all summer long. 

I can't wait to see family and share in the delight that is Northern Michigan by the water.

"Cherry" is not found readily in scripture. I was then reminded of this verse: 

"And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." -Genesis 1:10-12 

Creation of fruit trees was a great idea! They give us so much goodness. Grandpa Lindgren loved his cherry trees best of all in the family orchard. We spent many hours in the branches tasting and picking the precious fruit. The goodness of the earth is so easily taken for granted. 

Today, I am grateful for sweet cherries.

Cool Breezes

Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 157: Today, I am grateful for cool breezes.

When you skip spring and dive into summer, I am finding great delight in cool morning and late evening breezes. The heat of the day burns off and you can smell the freshness of the dew. 

Refreshing... like a drink of chilled water... is the little shiver that comes when the day is still cool. 

I am thinking about it because Princess Daisy Mae had us both us last night.  She is five months old today, so still very much a puppy. First she was hot. Then, after we both got up with her, we figured out she was cold. She slept under the covers for the rest of the night.  Puppies and babies are not that different. She didn't savor the treat of the cool breeze. She just wanted to be comfortable. 

There are times I am not so different than Daisy Mae. God sends me the winds of change and I fight them. I prefer my comfort and comfort zone. It reminds me of one of my favorite passages from I Kings.

And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”-1 Kings 19:12-13

Elijah, at the time, was hiding for his life. He had embarrassed and ticked off King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. He did have their attention, but they wanted him dead. Hiding seemed like a good idea at the time. 

When the Lord came to Elijah... the earthquake and fire gained his attention, but that is not where heard his voice. No... it was the sound of a low whisper. More of a gentle breeze. 

Sometimes, God wants us to change direction. He needs to get our attention. We can be fearful, but he would rather we pray and wait. The earthquakes and fires gain our attention, but he prefers to speak to his loved ones in intimate whispers. Like a cool breeze on a day destined to be hot. 

Today, I am grateful for cool breezes... and God's whispers.

Strengthen My Hands

Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 155: Today, I am grateful for a God who strengthens our hands.

There are days the workload seems too much and the days too long. The "must be done" list adds so much more pressure than a "to-do" that feels like a "ta-da" when it is checked off. Some days... weeks... and even months are long.

The pressures, the work, the wondering and deadlines can feel like such a burden and then life throws a plot twist. Yes. The trials are real. One of the best ways the enemy gets in our heads is to make us feel defeated, overwhelmed and blue. He points to our own strength and power and delights when we feel overwhelmed. He is a liar. 

How often I forget the super powers available. Prayer and obedience are a powerful force. Nehemiah knew it. Look at this scripture that is full of hope and truth for any rough day.

For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. -Nehemiah 6:9

This message is from a time when Nehemiah was leading the people of Israel in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The job was overwhelming and they faced danger, opposition and attitude problems. Nehemiah prayed, "O God, strengthen my hands." 

Learning to lean into Him and let His strength fill us with all we need for any struggle. He is present, patient and powerful. Breathe. 

We power up when we pray. 

Today, I am grateful for a God who strengthens our hands.

New Morning - New Mercies

Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 154: Today, I am grateful for new mercies every morning. 

On Friday, I left home early to travel to see my Mom. I knew it could be a long day ahead, but I didn't remember to grab my usual stash of bottled water and a snack from home before I left. 

I decided to stop at a gas station near my destination to grab a couple bottles of water and a snack. It was a stop that only took a few minutes and I debated skipping it, but something in the spirit said "stop". So, I pulled off the road and into the station.

I couldn't find a place to park at the gas station until someone pulled out... so I waited a few minutes more. I felt those moments of irritation, but they passed and I quickly made my purchase.

As I left the gas station, I came upon an accident minutes old. In fact, the traffic was still going around it as the helping professionals, police and fire trucks, were just coming on the scene. I was just minutes shy of being in that accident. Little delays had saved my day.

This is not the first time I have been very aware of inconveniences that take only minutes, but they change everything. We must talk or we will miss his hand. 

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.-Lamentations 3:23

His mercies are new every morning. We don't always see them but they are there. On Friday, I was very, very aware of His hand that intervenes. I was reminded to listen to that still, soft urging that directs our paths, if we listen. 

Oh boy!  Earworm (your Earworm is the one who sings the songs that get stuck in your head for people new to daily gratitude) is singing. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" is the hymn he is singing in my ear. It does echo the Lamentations scripture. I prefer contemporary over hymns, but some of the old hymns are rich with scriptures woven into their stanzas. I do appreciate them and Earworm loves to sing them. 

 "Ten Thousand Reasons" (Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul), which is a personal favorite of mine on any day of the week, is a modern song of His faithful mercies from our first breath until our last. Perhaps, I can redirect Earworm to that song before the day is done. 

His faithfulness is real. His mercy is served fresh daily. We have much to sing about on this new morning. 

Today, I am grateful for new mercies every morning. 

Sit With The Broken

Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 153: Today, I am grateful for those who sit with the broken. 

As many know, my word for the year has been savor. It is a word that can take many twists. From pure delight to tasty meals, it is good to reflect on what we cherish and savor. 

The most precious of gifts is family and friends who are with us in then tough times as well as our celebrations. Life can be so full that we can experience both great loss and great joy in a blink. 

The world promotes self esteem and self importance. Many chase fame and fortune at the cost of love, family and faith. Evidence? Reality shows. The pressures for fame fortune and success. But, do those things bring real joy?

This quote grabbed my heart and won’t let go:

“I’m not interested in whether you’ve stood with the great. I’m interested in whether you’ve sat with the broken.”

I have a soft spot for elephants, so I love this image. Yet, I think the quote embraces so much more. I think of those in helping professions that require service, committee and tenacity. They’re dedicated to lifting up... and sometimes simply sitting with the broken. 

Nurses, CNA’s and social workers are at the top of my list right now. Also, the house keeping staff and dietary in any healthcare facility. 

Mom has had some health struggles this spring. I appreciate the doctors... but they come and go. The other support staff are the ones offering daily encouragement and hope, even when their jobs require unpleasant tasks. 

Our veterinarians help us do the loving thing for our pets, when it is time to say goodbye too a beloved pet. They grieve with us and offer affirmation that the loving choice is not always the easy one. 

The one who sits with the lonely kid in then lunchroom or the new kid on the playground. This is the love we are meant to live and give. 

Again... “Weep with those who weep. Rejoice with those who rejoice.” seems to be the scripture of the hour. 

Today, I am grateful for those who sit with the broken.

Green Space

Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 152: Today, I am grateful for green spaces.

We kind of skipped spring. The heat came on fast. Rain is a gift to quench the dry land and landscape. Green spaces feel cool and fresh. The create a feeling of peace and well being. Even the tiniest homes feel a little grander if there is a green space on a balcony or just outside the door. The scent of fresh cut grass adds to the delight. 

Some days we seem to forget to smell the green. David reminds us in Psalm 23... 

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.He restores my soul.” 

To lie down in green pastures to rest, restore and relish what is peaceful and lovely... this is good. 

Today, I am grateful for green spaces.

Borrowed Beds

Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 151: Today I am grateful for a borrowed bed.

My nieces are generous toward me with their beds. Whenever I spend time in Clifton...somebody gives up their bed. In my family... we were taught to share and to respect our elders. Now, I refuse to be “old”... but I do have a few more years than my nieces. I am always grateful for a comfy place to sleep at the end of a long day.

Today I am grateful for a borrowed bed.