Emma

Year 8-Day 190: Today, I am grateful for Emma.

Today, our oldest son's wife is celebrating the anniversary of her birth. I was blessed to hold her in my arms when she was less than 2 days old. I was eight months pregnant with Chase at the time of her birth. 

I remember buying two of the cutest little girl outfits because I could not choose between the pink and a more nautical design in red, white and blue. She was the sweetest little thing. 

Watching her grow up was a joy. She was so full of personality from the start. We all have the fondest of memories of special Emma moments from her childhood. Some things never change and others do as she has grown from baby, to child, to teen and now a woman. We are grateful for her every day. 



She is our daughter in love far more than in law. She is witty and wonderful. She was the perfect match for our son and we feel so blessed that when he asked, she said "yes". They do life together well. 

"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.-Proverbs 31:10-12

It is easy to be grateful for her. 


Today, I am grateful for Emma.

Watermelon

Year 8-Day 189: Today, I am grateful for watermelon.

One of summer's sweetest delights is watermelon. It evokes childhood memories and continues to be standard fare at any summer gathering. It is one of my favorite summer foods.

Sweet on the lips without increasing the hips, watermelon is an easy choice at the marketplace. The method for picking the perfect watermelon may continue to be one of life's great mysteries. 

It is fun to watch others employ unique techniques while making their selections. I think it is more luck of the draw than process. A disappointing melon, on occasion, helps me appreciate the good ones even more. 

A watermelon is a pretty fruit, too. The colors are as rich as the flavors. Watermelons are mostly water — about 92 percent — but soaked with nutrients. Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids. There's even a modest amount of potassium. What's not to love, right?

I could not find a watermelon passage, but this one from Proverbs came to mind: 

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." -Proverbs 16:24

I think you could substitute watermelon for honeycomb. Sweet to the soul and health to the body. 

Today, I am grateful for watermelon.

Lessons from a 3rd Grade Dropout

Year 8-Day 188: Today, I am grateful for life lessons from a 3rd grade drop out... delivered by his amazing son.

My Dad used to talk about a preacher who knew when someone's testimony topped anything he had prepared to offer. When God moved, he set aside his agenda and ended the service with a statement I may misquote, but you will get the idea:

"I never try to speak after the Holy Spirit has spoken."

What human can follow a divine message? That is when he would say a prayer of gratitude and end the service.

I thought of that pastor today. I know this speaker was a keynote of the day at a graduation ceremony. I hope no one tried to follow him. He sums up how to get life right in about nine minutes. I won't try to add to it.

https://www.facebook.com/randalndc/videos/1920297991437987

Today, I am grateful for life lessons from a 3rd grade drop out... delivered by his amazing son.

Summer Blues

Year 8-Day 187: Today, I am grateful for summer blues. 

Summer blues are my favorite. They are full of freshness. Like Caribbean waters or a tranquil pool, the freshness is nearly tangible. 

Aqua, turquoise, sea glass, robin egg and sea foam are all names for different shade. Each one evokes a sense of delight. I am hard pressed to define which one I like best. I can't imagine summer without them. 

"He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water." -Psalm 107:35

The passage speaks about refreshment. There is nothing like cool water to quench a thirst. "He turns deserts into pools."  

Today, I am grateful for summer blues. 

Serve In Love

Year 8-Day 186: Today, I am grateful we can serve one another in love.

In our human nature, we tend to ”want what we want”.  It is love that fuels something different inside of us. In love, we can put the needs of another in front of our own wishes and desires. Love is a powerful force for good. Practicing love frees something inside of us we didn't know needed unleashing.

When we are free to love, the act of love sets us free.

”For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” -Galations 5:13

We know that ”God is love.” He is the endless source. In the light of his love, we can see through His eyes. We can go the extra mile without growing weary from the walk. It is evidence of His Spirit at work.

Today, I am grateful we can serve one another in love.

God Bless The USA

Year 8-Day 185: Today, I am grateful for Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA". 

For my family and friends who sit with us every year at out 4th of July Red, White & Boom celebration, they know that I rate the success of the show partially by whether or not Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" is included. I think it was only missed on year. It is my favorite patriotic song. I sums up, to me, what it means to be a child of these United States of America. 

This is a new version with some soldiers joining their voices with Lee's.  You can watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=gs0fxy8rHo8&feature=emb_logo

We are all so different, yet we are the same, too. We have dreams for our children and families. We want safety, freedom, education and justice for all. We long to see peace in our cities and village. We long to see grain that grows with clean air and clean water. 

This is the strangest 4th of July in my lifetime. Celebrations will be small and at home for most. No people watching in the big crowds. No card games with our people. No tossing a ball with the little ones. Perhaps, this year we will reflect more on the history. 

Not all of our history is pretty, but it is still our history. Those who don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. It is why we have the ability to amend the constitution, although amendments are rare. Since 1789, the Constitution has been amended 27 times. The first 10 are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was signed on December 15, 1791.There have only been 17 additional amendments put in place and two of those were surrounding prohibition. 

Interpretation of The Constitution falls to the Supreme Court for the final say. It is a huge responsibility. 

This was my verse of the day:

"Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people."-Proverbs 14:34

In recent weeks, "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." has been stuck in my head. Ear Worm knows it well. It is from 2 Chronicles 7:14 The directive is clear. 

I want God to bless the USA. Will we humble ourselves, pray and seek His face? When singing "God Bless The USA", I am reminded of my many blessings of health, family, friends, a living faith and home. 

Today, I am grateful for Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA". 

The Practice of Compassion

Year 8-Day 184: Today, I am grateful for the practice of compassion. 

Yes, it is a practice. Some people are naturally more empathetic, but compassion is an intentional practice. 

"Compassion is not a virtue-- it is a commitment. It's not something we have or don't have -- it is something we choose to practice. -Brene Brown 

We had an unexpected death in our circle of friends at church. A husband,father, grandfather and friend. His name was Randy. He was one of the best. He was a servant leader in all ways. 

Then, a second death occurred. This time... a dear mother, wife, grandmother and for us... pew buddies. Less than 48 hours later. June took her first breath of heaven, too. She always had the best smile and a kind word. I remember one year when I was in the thick of VBS, she brought us a meal. My guy and I will miss her, too. 

Yes, two special people stepped into heaven in two days time. Amazing for them, but the rest of us feel the loss. 

With death comes weeping and rejoicing. Joy and sorrow are better shared. I still love this verse that reminds me of the importance of compassion:

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." - Romans 12:15

Hear the instruction. Make the choice. Embrace the moment. Be present. 

Today, I am grateful for the practice of compassion.