Homegrown Tomatoes

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 195: Today, I am grateful for homegrown tomatoes.

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." -Lewis Gizzard 

It is true. When the tomatoes start to bear fruit in a garden, they give and give all summer long. We love fresh salsas and BLT's. I like to eat cherry tomatoes by the handful. 

Harvest day seemed far away when the plants went in the ground. Then, they begin to take root. They grew and they grew. The wonder of it all never stops amazing me. 

My favorite summer meals include fresh corn, tomatoes and watermelon. Each one might get their own day of gratitude. Each brings a unique flavor to summer. In the same way, each of us brings a unique flavor to the kingdom of God. 

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." -John 15:16

We are all uniquely formed in the womb. So much in common with each other, but each with our own personalities, likes and dislikes. We are reborn in Him when we say "Yes" to His best for our lives. 

In His garden, there are many shapes, sizes, colors and varieties. Some share the Good News like a perfectly formed Heirloom tomatoes that takes time and patience. Others are like the firm Roma that make the best salsas. Some are like the cherry tomato plants that bear fruit morning, noon and night. 

Savor the summer fruits and vegetables. They are only fresh from the garden for a short time. Celebrate those who plant, water and harvest in faith and love. Their gardens echo into eternity. 

Today, I am grateful for homegrown tomatoes.

Music in the Park

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 194: Today, I am grateful for music in the park. 

Our little village loves the fine arts. One of the things we enjoy most during the summer is the Thursday night music concerts. Tonight it was songs mostly from the 80's. It was a fun mix. We found ourselves singing along. Friends make the shared experience even better. 

Music is good for the soul.

Today, I am grateful for music in the park. 

Aunt Mary

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 193: Today, I am grateful for my Aunt Mary. 

My Aunt Mary is 87 years young today. She is a one of a kind and I love her to pieces. When I was little, she was my protector and my champion. 

Aunt Mary was my first school bus driver. She made sure Marty Rudin, Todd Widholm and I sat right behind her when we were in Kindergarten. I was four years old when I started school. We must have seemed so small. She made us feel safe until we made friends with big kids like Marie and Betty Peters. 

She was always the best gift giver at birthdays and Christmas. The only thing I wanted one year for Christmas was a Cinderella watch that came with a Cinderella for my dresser. It was not under the tree on Christmas morning. I did my best, but it is hard when you are little to not show disappointment. We went to Aunt Mary and Uncle Mel's house for Christmas dinner. Guess what was under the tree? 

That is a Christmas I will never forget. She made a little girl's dream come true. 

In her 87 years on the planet, she has lived, laughed and loved. She loves her children, grandchildren and the great-grandchildren are extra special in her eyes. 

"Gray hair is a crown of glory;" Proverbs 16:31a 

She is old enough to know the gift of gray hair. So many of her friends were not blessed with so many birthdays. She is grateful to be able to get around and enjoy outings with family and friends. 

She always makes me smile. 

Today, I am grateful for my Aunt Mary. 

The Magic of Fireflies

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 192: Today, I am grateful for the magic of fireflies. 

When summer is in full bloom, there is a certain scent in the air. That scent is full of memories, moments and magic. 

Tonight the fireflies danced around us. They are quite fascinating. They shine bright with all their might. They Illuminate the darkness.  They don't make a sound. 

I think I could learn a great deal from the fireflies, if they could talk. 

"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 3:12

Go light your world, by day and by night. 

Today, I am grateful for the magic of fireflies.

Unexpected Dinner Companions

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 191: Today, I am grateful for unexpected dinner companions. 

We rarely eat out during the work week. Tonight, we made an exception and had the best surprise. Friends from church walked in the door of the restaurant. We were actually about done with our meal, but they asked us to stay and visit. We did. What a great time!

I am reminded that we go too fast and don't make  enough time for the friendships we value. It feels like it is hard to carve out time for extras when life is full.  I am grateful for the times God places friends in our path for unexpected encounters. 

"Show hospitality to one another..." -1 Peter 4:9a

Hospitality is opening our hearts and our homes... even restaurant tables can become places where fellowship happens. 

I need to learn to be more intentional. But, until I do, I will be intentional with my gratitude for unexpected encounters.

Today, I am grateful for unexpected dinner companions.

Three and a Half Decades

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 190: Today, I am grateful for three and a half decades. 

I have no idea where the time has gone. The song "Sunrise, Sunset" was sung by Kelly Cawthon Berry at our wedding. The words ring more clear today than ever. 

"Sunrise, Sunset swiftly fly the years." I am old enough to know each one is a gift and the next one is not promised. This one feels big. Like the kind of anniversary "old people" share, but I guess I don't see us as old. 

On the inside, we are still the two kids in this picture who had now idea what they were signing up for when they said, "I do."  I am so blessed by this guy every day. 

There is no one I'd rather do this life with than him. I like him. I make him crazy. I think it is the same for him. God has blessed our days. Not everyone is good and perfect. The hard ones bring us closer. The sweet ones make us smile. The laughter is still good. 

"Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” -Genesis 2:23

I love Adam's joy in the gift of Eve.  It is like he is filled to the brim with excitement, "God made this one just for me!" After all the wonder of the animals in the sky, air and seas... this one was just perfect for companionship. Not perfect, but perfect for him. 
    
Never go to bed angry. Never leave without a kiss. A welcome home kiss, too. It says loud and clear, "I was waiting for  you." He was worth the wait. 

Today, I am grateful for three and a half decades. 

Dance With Your Heart

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 190: Today, I am grateful we can dance with our hearts.

"It is with your feet you move... but it is with your heart that you dance." 

Oh, how I love that quote. Don't miss a chance to dance. 

I did a little dancing on vacation recently. We didn't care who was watching.  There is something about dancing that lifts our spirits. We were being completely silly and it was good. 

 I think God feels our joy when we move to the music. David danced before God. 

"And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod." -2 Samuel 6:14

David danced with wild abandon. He danced with all his might. He didn't care who was watching. He let the Spirit move him. 

I think we can learn from David's example. 

Today, I am grateful we can dance with our hearts.