The Past is in the Past

Daily Gratitude Year 7-Day 281: Today, I am grateful the past is in the past. 

Many of us spend a great deal of time lamenting the things we should of or could have done. The old saying is true... the past is in the past. Digging it up and rehashing it is a waste of time and energy. 

We can learn from the past and we should, but let it be. We can't change it. The present and the future need our focus and our energy. We cannot evaluate today clearly if our head is too much in yesterday. 

I love this scripture: 

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. -Philippians 3:13-14

"I press on!" "Press on" has become one of my favorite sayings in recent year. It holds encouragement, but it leaves room for the reality that some days... some seasons... some years are hard. Looking behind us while moving forward is dangerous. We are wise to fix our eyes on "The Hope" and the horizon. 

Today, I am grateful the past is in the past. 

Rescuers

Daily Gratitude Year 7-Day 280: Today, I am grateful for the rescuers. 

I think of firemen, police officers, EMT's, doctors, nurses, soldiers and custodians. 

Last week at work, our custodian, Steve, rescued a chipmunk who was found swimming for his life in a boys toilet. We believe he came in through the sewer line. The little guy was curious and made a bad decision. The chipmunk was near exhaustion when he was discovered. We don't know how long he had been swimming. We do know it was too slippery to escape. He knew the way out, but it was unattainable. Isn't that just like us, sometimes?

I love this Lauren Daigle song. It is haunting in melody and reverent, too. The video shows us the majesty of God's creation. He is so big and we are so small, but He is determined to be our rescuer. 

Isn't it amazing and comforting... and hard to comprehend. But, the scriptures ring true. He is faithful and does as he promised he would do. He rescues us from our sins, from our fears and even death. Those who call out to him know he answers prayers. Not like a genie in a bottle but as a sovereign God with a plan and a purpose. He makes this life more bearable and death becomes a door. 

Ugly days come and go, but He does not change. He is our rock, our living water and the bread of life. What more do we need? 

"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal." -Isaiah 26:4

"May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. "Galatians 1:3-5

The video isn't very long. If you don't know the song... you will like it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYR0xP1j4PY&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1SeX-KvMcX8TjlkJOpFm82nxHKfpruSEWdPY5CRcdh3v5Sv1V42QXJeZo


Today, I am grateful for the rescuers and The One who rescues us with an eternal purpose. 

Cinnamon

Daily Gratitude Year 7-Day 279: Today I am grateful for cinnamon.     

I could write about spices for the entire month, but I think I will only choose some favorites. Lately, I have been craving cinnamon. I like it, but it is not my go to spice.  Perhaps, it should be for the many health benefits. I should make it more of a priority. 

It can flavor so much more than breakfast rolls and pumpkin pie. One of my favorite spices is garam marsala, and it typically includes cinnamon in the spice mix. Cinnamon has a natural sweetness that pleases most palates.

Cinnamon is an ancient spice. Cinnamon is a spice that is made from the inner bark of trees.  In Ancient Egypt , it was rare and valuable and was regarded as a gift fit for kings.

These days, cinnamon is cheap. It is available in every supermarket and found as an ingredient in a wide variety of recipes. 

Cinnamon is a natural anti-inflammatory. It is loaded with antioxidants. It may help us battle diabetes, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases. Who knew something so healthy could taste so good. 

Cinnamon is mentioned in the Bible several times. One instance was a recipe God gave to Moses for making a sacred oil to anoint the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. Isn't that fascinating?   

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Collect choice spices—12 1⁄2 pounds of pure myrrh, 6 1⁄4 pounds of fragrant cinnamon, 6 1⁄4 pounds of fragrant calamus, and 12 1⁄2 pounds of cassia—as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. Also get one gallon of olive oil. Like a skilled incense maker, blend these ingredients to make a holy anointing oil. -Exodus 30:22-25

Cinnamon is a staple in the fall and winter months. What would the cooler months be without it? 

Today I am grateful for cinnamon.

Mama... and Valerie & Moe

Daily Gratitude Year 7-Day 278: Today I am grateful for time with Mama... and time with Moe and Valerie and their beautiful daughters. Time with old friends is precious.

Full day. Short post. Sincere gratitude for God’s goodness.

More Acceptable Than A Scrifice

Daily Gratitude Year 7-Day 277: Today, I am grateful for things that are right and just.

This world seems to be growing ever more "gray" with each passing year. 

There are times we choose to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do. God designed within us a sense of justice. Life isn't always fair, but we can do our best to pursue the things that are right and just in God's eyes. 

"To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. -Proverbs 21:3

When we care for widows, the elderly, the children... especially orphans... we are gifting God at the same time. Our lives become offerings when we lay them down in service, lifting up the spirits and answering the needs of those around us. 

Today, I am grateful for things that are right and just.

Help-A-Thon 2019

Daily Gratitude Year 7-Day 276: Today...I am grateful for Help-A-Thon.

It is my favorite school day of the the year. Perhaps you saw a sea of purple t-shirts all around Morton today. It you did, it was Morton Jr High Students and staff joining together to volunteer in our community. 

Help-A-thon is the only fundraiser we do for the school year for the PTO and it funds so many extras in our building that are beyond normal school budgets. The children collect pledges from family and friends and the children honor their pledges by going out to work in places that have a need in our little village. 

They served at nursing homes, at the fire department and police department, at the local library, two food banks, local parks that need grooming and at the Morton Chamber. There were more places, but you get the picture. For the students who raised $200... they get to serve an additional day. Yes... the more you raise... the more you get to serve. Who knew that volunteerism could be so exciting? Actually, nothing feels quite like helping someone else in need. It is good for the soul. 

Some of the students experienced a little of what it means to work with the elderly and others washed  professional service vehicles. Many learned that big jobs are done quickly when people join together to make it happen. I can't wait to hear more of the stories that come in from the day. Working as a team member is a life skill. The experience is priceless.

I love this scripture: 

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 1 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?" -Ecclesiastes 4:9-11

Together... we are better. Yes! It is my favorite day of the school year. 

Today...I am grateful for Help-A-Thon.

50 Ways to Take a Break

Daily Gratitude Year 7-Day 275: Today...I am grateful for ways to take a break. 

The human body is not superhuman. It has limitations; it needs rest. We are not always very good at slowing down in our culture. I loved this "50 ways to take a break". Not all of them are my cup of tea, but it shows how many different behaviors we can choose that allow the body, soul and mind to rest.

Some of these are, indeed, my favorites. I enjoy dancing, smelling a good scent and a cup of coffee. Taking time to be creative recharges my battery like few other activities. 

I am encouraged that Jesus provided an example to his disciples. He took time... he made time... to rest. 

"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. " - Luke 5:16

For Jesus, it was the peace of the wilderness and the act of prayer in the wilderness places that drove him into the quiet spaces... whenever he could find them. It was a place to recharge. The people were always following him with their needs and expectations. It must have been exhausting. 

Because he endured a life filled with many demands, we know he understands when we get overwhelmed. 

Today...I am grateful for ways to take a break,  to rest and recharge.