Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 138: Today, I am grateful for replacement parts.
We are having a season of brokenness. Things we use and rely on are in need of repair. Recently, it has been cars, fences... and today... a garage door. Now, these items have served us well before they were broken. Some things just happen with the wear and tear of daily life and weather.
These are not fun ways to spend money. Yet, if we are able to repair these things, we need to be grateful. Replacement parts are cheaper than full replacement, right? It is a way to be good stewards of our resources.
What would we do without replacement parts? Would more stuff end up in landfills or discarded carelessly? We have a friend that is from a large family. They used to joke that the youngest son was "replacement parts". It still makes me laugh.We all know each child is precious in their own unique way. Let's not even talk about the benefits to the youngest from the perspective of the older children.
You might remember "The Six Million Dollar Man" and the "Bionic Woman" of the 70's? Lee Majors and Lindsay Wagner were broken. A cutting, edge government doctor repaired them with parts that gave them superhuman strength and speed. They were able to use their powers from the new parts to foil the bad guys every time. Replacement parts changed how the story would end.
We, too, can have that same story. We have a God who longs to be with us, for us and filling us with the wonder of his most precious power...love. Love wins. It really does. Perhaps not in an instant, but on God's timeline... love wins. We need replacement parts.
Forgiveness after the fall from grace.
Forgiveness for lack of trust and unbelief in the desert years with Moses.
Forgiveness poured out on the cross.
Forgiveness offered to each one who seeks His face through belief and his grace.
"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."... the struggle is real!
We need replacement parts... He gives us a new heart! And, fills us with his Spirit.
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. -Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT)
My stony, stubborn heart can be replaced with one full of love and grace.
I am grateful for broken things that can be repaired. I am eternally grateful for the new heart that gives us a fresh start.
Today, I am grateful for replacement parts.
Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 136: Today, I am grateful for the bee.
I am pretty sure I have been grateful for honey... but I think I have forgotten the bee. You can't have one without the other.
The bee population of the world has been threatened and dying for many years. Thank goodness for the many who have gotten behind this little miracle of nature to fight for his future. Crops today and crops tomorrow depend on them. Look into the studies of the remarkable success of crops pollinated by bees and crops pollinated by man's means. The bees do it better.
Imagine that? The way God designed it is superior. Isn't it amazing that some of the sweetest crops like berried, blueberries and cherries are very bee dependant. Actually, there is a big list of foods that thrive when bees are healthy and alive. The crops are bigger and better when healthy bees can do their work.
In places where the bees are scarce, people attempt to pollinate by hand with a paintbrush. It is not as good as the bees, but it keeps the crop from vanishing completely. Nature has such a delicate balance Unfortunately, many scientific studies are funded by companies needing a certain outcome. We can attempt to cheat "Mother Nature", but she was perfectly designed God's perfect hand. We, eventually, experience consequences, when we mess with the balance.
Remember, when a bee stings... it is sacrificing it's life as a response to fear. It stings and it dies. Perhaps, God designed it to cause us to stay away from such an amazing little worker of wonders. The bee is very busy in a work day, visiting up to 2000 flowers a day, according to one statistic. What human can do that tedious work efficiently and effectively by hand? And the bee makes it look like a dance.
I respect bees. Mama Ina Mae always said, "Leave them alone and they'll leave you alone." She was right. They did... except the one I stepped on as a kid. Yes, I was stung. Mama reminded me that I stepped on him, as she comforted by hurt. It wasn't really the bee's fault. We had an unplanned, unfortunate encounter. It cost the bee more than it cost me.
Bees love sunflowers. Sunflowers turn their face to the sun(remember that post?). I think it is not a coincidence that the sunflowers and bees work together in harmony. Together, they sing His praises. Just because we cannot always hear nature sing with human ears, it still sings. Together, they work to His glory as the earth laughs in flowers and rich, bountiful crops.
Please don't swat them. They have work to do. We need them. Not just for amazing honey... but for so many other food, spice and herb crops. Responsible stewardship matters. Pinterest has some great ideas for creating cute little "watering spots" for thirsty bees. They need shallow water to drink.
Yes, we are to be good stewards. Farming was the first job God created. It is good and honorable work.
"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it." -Genesis 2:15
Work it. Keep it. Stewardship matters. Keeping the balance matters. Worker bees matter as much as the queen... oh, there is a whole 'nother lesson there in that truth. The bees make a world a difference. With them, crops flourish. Without them, they die or dwindle away.
Today, I am grateful for the bee.
Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 135: Today, I am grateful fear does not need to take up residence in our lives.
The struggle with fear and anxiety is big and real for many. In fact, everyone faces it at one time or another.
"The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone, but make fear a visitor and not a resident." -Max Lucado
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." -Hebrews 11:1
The presences of fear does not negate our faith. It might challenge it, but it does not mean faith is absent. It means we are struggling with the enemy and fear cause us to choose between fight or flight. Many, many times the scriptures point to "standing firm". We are told to "fear not" many times, as a command to chase the fear away.
"My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him. -Psalm 89:43
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1
For those who keep the covenant... he stands with us. Fear is only an uninvited visitor... not a permanent resident. When hope and faith do battle with fear, who wins? Depends on the day, right? The struggle is real.
"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us... There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." -1 John 4:12,18
Evidence of a love that drives out fear is a reflection of Christ's love being made perfect in us. The love of a mother or father for their child is a sacrificial love that drives out fear. The love of one soldier for his brother in arms, sometimes means big sacrifices. There is a resolution that is powerfully big when we intentionally choose love over fear.
Fear of someone taking advantage of me... love is better than fear.
Fear of someone getting the better, bigger portion... love is better than fear.
Fear of not getting credit where credit is due... love is better than fear.
Fear of not achieving a goal or a dream.. love is better than fear.
Fear of other people's opinions... love is better than fear.
Fear of having to do something different to get a different outcome... love is better than fear.
Fear of life being unfair... remember Jesus and know that love is better than fear.
Love is stronger than all of our fears and transgressions. His blood has us covered.
The struggle with fear and anxiety is real, but make him an uninvited guest, not a resident.
Perfect love casts out fear. Fear might visit but he can't live here.
Today, I am grateful fear does not need to take up residence in our lives.
Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 134: Today, I am grateful for paroxysm.
Mondays are great for new vocabulary words.
Paroxysm (n): sudden outburst of emotion.
Isn't that how a sparkler or fireworks display makes you feel? A sudden outburst of emotion. Delight and wonder come to mind.
Emotions are not always negative. They are often unpredictable, especially in grief.
Some see emotion as a sign of weakness. Some fear what it reveals. Other' s avoid it as a means of self-defense. Sadly, some will call upon emotional manipulation of others, which is exhausting to the other party in the relationship. Take toddlers for example.
Toddlers have been known to attempt manipulation through emotional outbursts. In fact, many years ago, I read an article that said when a toddler starts a "fit" or "emotional outburst", it is often very intentional and controlled. But, at some point, in the process of working themself up, they sacrifice the very control that was their original intention.
I found this fascinating and true. I have watched toddlers explode from intentional naughty power struggles into the child being powerless and helpless to stop the tears they intentionally started. As grown ups, we can teach them a better way.
The ability to express emotion is part of what makes us human. Embracing emotions helps us connect with others. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:13-14
Case in point... Hallmark commercials. They have this way of moving us to a sweet, emotional place that is pleasant and leaves us smiling. For me... the paroxysm might be smiles or tears, and maybe, both. I am a sucker for Hallmark commercials.
Remember - we were created in His image... but then God took on human skin and wore our emotions. He longed to know and understand our feelings. Jesus, for this reason, is our advocate before the Father. He fully relates to our emotional side, while understanding the righteous, justice parts of God's character, too.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments." -1 John 2:1-3
Emotions are not sinful, they are just the opposite. They are wonderous and amazing. It is how we choose to embrace them, feel them and keep them in check at appropriate times. Paroxysms... sudden outbursts of emotion are often when humans connect. We need connections.
I think of Martha and Mary grieving the death of Lazarus. Their grief was magnified when their best friend, Jesus, failed to come and make their brother well. They sent a friend to call him to Bethany. They believed he would come and heal Lazarus. Instead, he finished teaching and preaching in another town, first. Lazarus died and was in the tomb four days before Jesus arrived. Martha ran out to meet him. It took Mary a little longer. When Jesus stood there, in the midst of two sisters knee deep in grief, "Jesus wept." (John 11:35)
He shared their grief, and their shared grief moved him to tears. I've often wondered if Jesus grief was two-fold. He was about to call Lazarus back from heaven's joys... where Jesus would soon be returning. Still, the raising of Lazarus was an important miracle. Jesus had resurrection power over death. Imagine Martha and Mary's emotions when Lazarus walks out of the tomb, fully alive. A paroxysm of weeping was surely their response. Tears of grief turned to joy.
I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow." -Jeremiah 31:13
We can choose to let our emotions be our master, or we can use them to please the master. Back to my recent favorite scripture that can help us choose well in most every scenario:
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." - Romans 12:15
Embrace the paroxysms. We can live fully for all of our days... until our days are spent.
Today, I am grateful for paroxysm.
Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 133: Today, I am grateful for my Mama.
I have the sweetest Mom on the planet. She is gracious, kind and loving to all living creatures. She delights in the most simple things, and taught me to do the same. She modeled the joy in choosing to be content with enough. That kind of joy, when sincere, is contagious.
Mama always took the smallest portion so there would be more for others. She often began her meal after everyone else was almost finished. She served until everyone had what they wanted or needed. Dad was ridiculously spoiled and he knew it. Honestly, they both sat two steps from the fridge at the kitchen table. If he wanted something in the fridge he would say, "Ina Mae, pass me the Miracle Whip." Up she would jump to grab the forgotten item; he knew it wasn't on the table.
Just recently, it dawned on me that she breathed so much strength into all three of us with her parenting. I remember how mean girls could be if my clothing wasn't right or I didn't understand something in popular culture that I had little exposure to with no cable or satellite television. One of phrases she spoke to all three of us was:
"If they are picking on you, they are leaving someone else alone." Perhaps that sounds unkind, but when I recently reflected on her parenting response to a common childhood problem, I realized that she was brilliant. She spoke strength, confidence and courage into us.
1. Her statement said, "I believe you are strong enough to handle hard stuff. You are stronger than many others" Yes, she believed in us, even when we didn't believe in ourselves.
2. We were to "love our neighbors". Non-negotiable. If this meant being the one to take the unkind words from the "mean kids", so be it. She expected us to "stand in the gap" to protect someone else.We were loved and treasured children. Others did not have safe and loving homes as a refuge.
3. She fostered confidence and gave the constant message that we were capable of managing hard things. What a gift! She believed in us.
4. She taught us that some people are miserable. They want everyone around them to be miserable, too. She made it clear, we had the power to refuse to let them get to us. No one can make us miserable without our consent. She was a big fan of Corrie Ten Boom. When we can't change the circumstance, we still have the power to control our attitudes.
5. It didn't matter what other people thought of us. God's opinion matters. We needed to behave in a way that would be pleasing in His sight.
There are very real instances of bullying that need intervention by adults and authorities. Mama would not disagree with that for even a minute. Still, I am grateful she devoted more time to growing us, than defending us.
If I had to describe my mother in two words, it would not be an easy task. I think "Love Warrior" describes her best. She oozes warmth. When someone is hurtful or unkind, she looks past their offense to the wounded soul inside that needs the healing and peace only Jesus can provide. She loves with her whole heart. She is strong enough to risk being hurt. She amazes me.
Living with Huntington's Disease isn't easy. The disease can cause people to become mean and surly. So far... Mama has been spared this personality change. It seems the Holy Spirit continues to guard her heart, and for this we are truly blessed. She is grateful to live and love another day. She is ready to go when the Master calls her to heavenly healing and sweet reunions.
The scriptures says that in heaven, the first shall be last and the last shall be first. When Mama's time comes, she will have a very special place. She was content to be last and did it with grace. Each day... each year God grants her here, is another opportunity to live in Christ. Her heart grows more excited for heaven.We can see it. As the earthly flesh ages and fades, the knowledge of heaven sparkles in her eyes. "Be paid up, prayed up and ready to go up."
"...as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell." -Philippians 1:20b-22
We are grateful for her good days. We are grateful for the many who visit her. We are grateful that she is still able to love, paint, reminisce and savor nature's wonders. She was born to be a farm wife. She was born to embrace the joy in heaven and nature singing the wonders of our Lord. She chooses love and joy. She lives with light. She is one of a kind.
The image holds one of her other "Ina Mae-isms" we were expected to live by. "Learn something new every day."
I try, Mama. I try.
Today, I am grateful for my Mama.
Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 132: Today, I am grateful for the people who tend the greenhouses... so we can enjoy instant summer.
Long awaited spring has sprung and our thought turn to summer splendor. Today, I took a stroll through the flowers and plants at the local True Value. Wow, what a great job Whiteside Nurseries did in choosing plants and keeping them looking fabulous for the customer. The staff was helpful and so friendly, too.
The first display I spotted was the King Tut grass that has become a staple for my pots. I adore the Suessical grass that grows and grows, until at full height, it poofs into something reminiscent of fireworks. The Fourth of July is a favorite holiday for the Smiths and Leanders... so the King Tut grass is perfect delights us until the next "Red, White and Boom" show in Peoria.
As the knowledgeable sales people answered my questions, I noticed the tender care reflected in each plant. There wasn't a sad or bad one on display. I was reminded of the people who tend the greenhouses so we can have instant gratification when the earth is finally ready for flowers. They have artists eyes and farmers hearts, caring for each beauty like a child waiting to be adopted by just the right person. They carefully nurture new life so it can take root and grow strong, before it heads to a permanent home.
It made me think of this quote I first saw on an Mary Engelbreit print:
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust
Isn't that true? Some people make our souls bloom.
The lady who seemed to be in charge happily offered to help me load the car and helped me figure out how to make it fit. I could see that she loved being apart of the greenhouse business and seeing it all come together for the customer.
The plants made it safely home. We planted. And in an afternoon, we had flowering pots and colorful complimentary plants. I'm not a great gardener, but Randy helps and we usually are able to keep them alive through fall. So many hours of care and labor went into the plants, long before I brought them home.
How many times do I think God moves in an instant? But in truth... he is constantly watching, guiding, moving and making a way. There are so many unseen doors closed, windows opened, stoplights held and accidents missed. He works all things together for our good, but we have to trust his timing.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." -Ecclesiastes 3:11
I can't truly fathom the beauty of the glory of God. It is too big... too awesome... too much. I can see a wee bit of his glory reflected in the earth as each flower that blooms seems to sing His praises.
Today, I am grateful for the people who tend the greenhouses... so we can enjoy instant summer.
Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 131: Today, I am grateful for the tenderhearted.
Children can express beautifully tender hearts until we teach them about winning and the other ways of the world. I am not denying the selfishness of human nature that is indulged and over-indulged in our culture, but... watch children who are raised with love, kindness, truth and in community and you will see them act with compassion and tender hearts.
Our kids and the neighborhood children were always finding and hoping to rescue little birds or bunnies. Sometimes, nature would take its course and they would learn about the circle of life and the sorrow of death. I hurt when they hurt, but their compassion for the injured or helpless always warmed my heart.
"And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 18:2-4
My Dad thought nothing of shooting an adult racoon on the farm that might pose a threat to us or our animals, but every time he found baby racoons or kittens... he brought them home. He had a soft spot for the injured and helpless wildlife and people.
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." -Ephesians 4:32
I found this quote and mulled it over and had to smile at the "ah-ha" moment of realizing it nailed a big truth about prayer.
"This is the heart of prayer - not getting things from God, but getting God. -David Mathis
In seeking the heart of God... to seek his face and his eyes in making decisions... that is prayer. Not a shopping list for the things I want to have and accomplish. It is chasing his heart and not just seeking his power and intervention.
It is graduation season. Many young people are asking the question, "What comes next?" Some will claim a favorite passage from Jeremiah.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11
This is a verse can easily be taken out of context. A junior high student taught me this very important lesson many years ago. It was a student that had been through tough stuff. He was wearing a t-shirt with Jeremiah 29:13 on it. I complimented his shirt and he said this:
"Mrs. Smith, everyone loves Jeremiah 29:11, but it is Jeremiah 29:13 that changes things."
Yes... I was educated by a 13 year old. One who, at that time, had experienced losing a parent before I did. I'm so glad he took the moment to pause and teach me something important. He didn't know how much I would cling to his words in upcoming years.
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
-Jeremiah 29:13
For the hope and the future part... there is a required act... seeking God with your whole heart. Holding nothing back. He will not hide from those who do this. He will reveal his help and his ways for all of their days.
How do you seek his face? Jeremiah 29:12 has the answer to that, too:
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you."
He doesn't hide. He is waiting. He longs for us to let down our guard and allow our hearts to be tender to the Holy Spirit. On great days, we can soar. On hard days, we can rest in the comfort and shelter of his wings.
Today, I am grateful for the tenderhearted who teach us the way.
We are having a season of brokenness. Things we use and rely on are in need of repair. Recently, it has been cars, fences... and today... a garage door. Now, these items have served us well before they were broken. Some things just happen with the wear and tear of daily life and weather. 
