A Clean Face

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 38: Today, I am grateful for a clean face.

Another first... I don't think I have every thought of giving thanks for a clean face. Doesn't it feel good to wash away the day? Not just the make up, but everything else that collects on our face throughout the day. 

It is easy to skip that night time routine, but I know I sleep better when I don't. Perhaps it is as much about the ritual as the cleanliness. 

Kind of like that first cup of something warm in the morning, a clean face ends the day with a different kind of "ahhh" feeling. 

This scripture captures the moment a leper comes to Jesus for healing. I love what the man says. As a leper, he is an outcast. He is desperate for a healing touch, but he does not demand it. He asks with humility.

“Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” -Luke 5:12

I love the faith reflected in this man's words. He essentially says, "Thy will be done." And then the leper was healed. I cannot imagine his joy! 

I can imagine the joy that comes from washing away the day. 

Today, I am grateful for a clean face.

A Seed of Fear

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 37: Today, I am grateful for a seed of fear.

You are likely thinking I have lost my mind. Fear is from the enemy, right? It is. But, this is what only our God can do. He takes a seed that was meant to destroy our peace and calm, and from it sprouts acts of faith. 

"At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear. For great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation." - Max Lucado 

Fear is often what brings us to the place of seeking His face. Now, it would be better if we were more naturally inclined to seek Him first, but we humans like to be independent. We think we can manage everything on our own. For a time, we may have some success, but no fulfillment. 

Our souls were designed for a relationship with Him. He is our missing piece and our missing piece. 

The greatest acts of courage and faith often come when fear is recognized but not allowed to be the dominant force in our lives. The natural fear responses we are taught are "fight and flight". Psychology, in my opinion, missed one. There is, also,  the "firmly rooted" response. 

Have you ever seen a stare down between animals... or humans and animals? There are times when the potential prey stands firm and holds their ground, and for some reason, the predator leaves. I can't say I can completely understand or explain it, but it is fascinating to watch. 

When there is faith, fear does not win. 

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." -Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

Today, I am grateful for a seed of fear... that causes faith to take root. 

The Song "My Jesus"

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 36: Today, I am grateful for the song, "My Jesus". 

My Jesus by Anne Wilson has been my "right song and the right time" all week... then it was a worship song this morning. There are seasons when a song wraps us up in truth, grace and mercy. It is that kind of song. 

(Song excerpt) "He makes the way where there ain't no way. Rises up from an empty grave. Ain't no sinner that he can't save... Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus. "

A multi-chapter read through Genesis today was a reminder that God's specialty is making good from our messes. The Bible is full of imperfect people. Chapter after chapter, we find those who were wronged by the ones who should have been loving, honoring and protecting them. So often, we try to run ahead of God instead of patiently waiting on His plan to unfold... especially when we are scared or hurting. 

(Song excerpt) "Who can wipe away the tears? From broken dreams and wasted years And tell the past to disappear? Oh Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus!" 

Our hearts can rest in the truth that he does not abandon His children. Even when life hurts. When we don't understand his ways... we can always trust His heart. 

"For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth."-Psalm 33:4-5

(Song excerpt) "Let my Jesus change your life!"

Today, I am grateful for the song, "My Jesus". 

Library Cards

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 35: Today, I am grateful for library cards.

Libraries are a precious resource. Mankind has long understood the power of the written word. Public libraries are a treasure. The avenue for borrowing books is a library card.  

I have been thankful for libraries, but I am not sure I have ever chosen gratitude for the library card that makes it all accessible to the common person. 

I loved this colorful reminder of the cards we used to check out our books. You could look and see who had read the book before you. Even then, you had to produce your library card . 

Once upon a time, books were mostly in the hands of the wealthy and the elite. When more people were able to own a Bible with the invention of the printing press, reading from it was a shared family activity in many homes. For some, it was the only book in the house. Some churches had libraries from which books could be borrowed, but it was a private circle. 

Ben Franklin was instrumental in starting one of the first pubic libraries where patrons could sign out books. Such a simple thing, but it is really a big thing. 

Today, we use a library card to check out books from our public libraries - even if we use the library's digital resources. This scripture comes to mind:

"Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written."-John 21:25

Some books were never written, but for the ones that are... we have library cards. 

Today, I am grateful for library cards.

My Guy

 Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 34: Today, I am grateful for My Guy. 

This is one of those posts I need to do once a year. He doesn't love the attention, but today is the celebration of his arrival on the planet. How can I not pause to count the many blessings he brings to my world?

Chase, Walker, Emma and I are so blessed to call him "ours."  He would do anything we asked of him... okay, there are some foods he won't eat... but no task is too big or too small if it needs to be done. 

I love to listen to him work. He is ridiculously good at customer service and is a natural problem solver. 

I love it that we often think the same thoughts... and know what the other is thinking if we differ. We don't fight because he taught me a long time ago he is always right (and I let him think that is true). 

We are both a little bit broken in just the right ways so we fit together. We think in song lyrics at times and  have full conversations with them. 

He is selfless and devoted. He protects my heart. I adore this man. 

"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her" - Ephesians 5:25

This is how he loves. I am one blessed woman. 

Today, I am grateful for My Guy. 

Coats

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 33: Today, I am grateful for coats.

It has been really cold this week, but today the sun was shining bright. The cold is so much more manageable with the sun. 

This week, our coats were not just a way to keep comfortable - they were a necessity. The temperatures were so low but by God's grace, we didn't have big winds to fight. That, too, made the cold more bearable. 

I am famous for holding on to coats too long. They are not something I enjoy shopping for or buying. I don't love wearing them, but the Midwest winters require them. Still, I will choose gratitude for the blessing of my coat. 

I have noticed that the winter days are more bearable when we are properly dressed. This image cracked me up.  

A coat shared is a special gift when the weather takes you by surprise. In Bible times, they would take someone's cloak as security on a loan, but they would return it for the cold of the night. Isn't that interesting? 

"If you take your neighbor’s cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset. This coat may be the only blanket your neighbor has. How can a person sleep without it? " -Exodus 22:26-27

Whether you enjoy them or not, coats are a blessing. 

Today, I am grateful for coats.

Resilience

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 32: Today, I am grateful for resilience.

There is such a message in this quote: 

"Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. " 

Some days it is all we can do to put our feet on the floor to get up and go. Do it anyway. 

Pushing through the hard stuff builds resilience, just like resistance training builds strength. It is hard. It hurts. You get tired. Do it anyway. You grow stronger every day. 

There are times the struggle is not our enemy, but our teacher. Refocus and press on. 

"The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." -Psalm 121:8

Today, I am grateful for resilience.