Correction Leads to Understanding

Daily Gratitude Year 9- Day 217: Today, I am grateful correction can lead to understanding. 

Most of us do not enjoy or relish correction. True? Although, correction delivered with encouragement, kindness and love can be very encouraging. It is how we gain understanding. 

"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever needs correction gains understanding." -Proverbs 15:32

To love learning means being willing to accept correction. It is how we learn and grow. 

When I started playing the piano, Mama Ina Mae had her hands full with me. She admits she was probably harder on me than her other music students. She had high expectations. I was probably overly sensitive to her corrections. We made it work. Her one good ear was tack sharp. She could easily correct my mistakes from another room. 

In the beginning, I was very young and struggled to see the encouragement in her corrections. She had a desire to grow my skills. Correction is one of the ways we show love. I am grateful she didn't give up on me.

Today, I am grateful correction can lead to understanding.

Five By Five Rule

 

Daily Gratitude Year 9- Day 216: Today, I am grateful for the "Five by Five Rule".

Some weeks you get through day by day and hour by hour. This simple rule of thumb can help clear our heads and gain perspective back:

"If it's not going to matter in five years, don't spend more than five minutes being upset by it." -unknown

Frankly, there are some battles worth suiting up for and being prepared. Others, are not worth the time and energy of being upset for more than five minutes. Choose your battles wisely. 

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." -Romans 12:12

I love this scripture. It goes so well with the the "Five by Five Rule". Be hopeful. Be patient. Pray.

Today, I am grateful for the "Five by Five Rule".

New Goals

 

Daily Gratitude Year 9- Day 215: Today, I am grateful for new goals.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream..." -CS Lewis

I think I needed this reminder today. Sometimes, I forget to create simple but honest goals. A new goal or a new dream are not accidental. They are pondered before they play out. 

There are times life does not make sense. Life can unfold in unexpected ways. We were never promised an easy road. Belief does to insure the journey will be easy or kind. He does promise we won't be alone. 

This was my scripture for the day. I didn't choose it, but I think He did. 

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple."-Psalm 119:30

He lights our paths and makes a way, even in desert seasons. He imparts understanding to the simple. How often do I overestimate my own fallible "understanding" instead of resting in the reassurance that He doesn't merely light our way... He IS the LIGHT. 

Today, I need to remember... in Him... we can set another goal and dream a new dream.  

Today, I am grateful for new goals.

Fresh Vegetables

 

Daily Gratitude Year 9- Day 214: Today, I am grateful for fresh veggies.

It is that wonderful time of the year when gardens are producing. I planted too early and lost some of our plants to frost. It happens. Still, it seems like God always provides. There are people around me with an abundance of veggies. They are sharing their wares at school, at church and in the neighborhood. There is nothing like fresh produce from the garden.

We know veggies are good for us. I've never understood those who are not interested in vegetables. From corn on the cob to brussels sprouts, each one ends up in favorite recipes or simply on the plate. 

Remember the way God blessed Daniel and "the Boys" when they chose vegetables and fruit over some of the rich and fatty food the kind provided. The king noticed they were healthier and stronger than the others. 

 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink." -Daniel 1:12

Daniel and the Boys did more than survive. They thrived. Isn't that the goal? Enjoy the fresh foods while they last. 

Today, I am grateful for fresh veggies.

Stop Touching It

Daily Gratitude Year 9- Day 213: Today, I am grateful for reminders to "stop touching it". 

Don't tell Mama Ina Mae, but I am becoming her one day at a time. I find myself shaking my head every time I hear my Mama's words coming out of my mouth. Her sayings and her responses to circumstances fill my brain, waiting for the right time to spew out my mouth. 

When our students return to school, there are always bumps, bruises and boo-boos to be tended. I am grateful for our CMA. She is amazing, but when she is not available, I play back up health care provider. 

I always remind them I am just a secretary and a mom, but not a professional. They often are focused on showing us where it hurts. "It hurts when I do this." is a common statement. Like the insurance commercial on TV where they are doing classes to help people not become their parents, I have to bite my tongue to avoid saying, "Then, don't do that." It is what my Mama always said. 

Isn't it common sense to leave a wound alone? You would think so, but it seems there are many who can't stop from "touching" old wounds and revisiting them. What old wounds do we keep touching? What do we need to leave alone to allow time to heal? We must choose wisely. 

Jesus was full of grace, mercy and forgiveness. I am reminded that the person in the mirror is often the most difficult to forgive. Jesus led by example. Peter was mortified that he denied Jesus threw times in the hours before the crucifixion. After Jesus rose from the grave, he posed the question to Peter three times, almost as if he was covering the sin. "Peter, do you love me?", He asked. "Feed my sheep." Three times he asked with the same reply. 

"He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep." -John 21:17

There are times we need to put our failures to rest. We need to stop digging up the failures when God puts them to rest. 

 Today, I am grateful for reminders to "stop touching it"

Sweet Corn

 

Daily Gratitude Year 9- Day 212: Today, I am grateful for sweet corn for dinner.

One of the best things about summer is the fresh food options. I love corn but nothing compares to fresh sweet corn eaten off the cob. It is summer perfection. The yellow color is fitting. It is a happy food. 

A little butter and your favorite seasoning... mine happens to be lemon pepper on sweet corn... and that is all you need on the table. Corn is the meal.

Corn is a significant chuck of the farm economy in the Midwest. It is used in many diverse ways. It was growing in the fields when the Europeans arrived. 

Corn was a part of the landscape when the Europeans arrived. They showed the settlers how to plant a "Three Sisters Garden". They planted the corn, beans and squash together. They had discovered that doing so meant better crops for each item. Today, we understand the importance of field rotations for the soil, the Native American. 

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” -Genesis 8:22

A fertile land is a blessing. Land with sweet corn is a gift. 

Today, I am grateful it is sweet corn for dinner.

The Leader

 

Daily Gratitude Year 9- Day 211: Today, I am grateful for the leader.

Remember playing games like "Follow the Leader" and "Simon Says"? Both required choosing a leader the group was willing to follow. There had to be a sense of agreement in the identity of the leader.  A self proclaimed leader with no followers is not really a leader. Consent is required. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a fascinating man. He had strong convictions and his faith was tested. He kept his eyes on the captain of his faith, even when circumstances grew increasingly difficult. 

"May God in His mercy lead us through these times; but above all, may He lead us to Himself." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer knew the identity of his leader and let Him lead, even when it was into dark and difficult places. He discover, as we look at his writings and observations, the truth about following Jesus. In Him, there is no darkness because light drives out darkness. The two cannot co-exist. One tiny candle is all it takes to disperse the shadows. 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12

Embrace the well lit places. We cannot walk in darkness and call him Lord. We must choose. Who is your leader? Who is your Lord? The choice is real and it matters. He is waiting.

Today, I am grateful for the leader.