Gratitude365

Yesterday I attended a luncheon hosted by a Christian women’s group, Stonecroft. I don’t think I knew that when I accepted the invitation, but it wouldn’t have changed anything. I was just grateful that my friend invited me to go.

Overall, it was a wonder experience! There were more than 80 women in attendance, several of us for the first time. From the moment we arrived, I felt comfortable, and I was grateful I was there. I knew I was in the right place.

Having been involved with a few such groups, I am appreciative of all the time and effort these women put into yesterday’s program. From the amusing ice breaker that enabled those at our table to “join” the fun…to the enchanting entertainment…to the inspirational speaker…it was a wonderful time, and I enjoyed all of it.

I’m especially grateful that the experience opened my eyes to what’s around me. Since I’ll be here for six or seven months, I’ve been looking for opportunities to grow spiritually, as well as serve. Perhaps yesterday’s luncheon was a stepping stone.

We never know where things will lead unless we take the first step, but in my experience I’ve found that beneficial things tend to happen when I go one step outside my comfort zone. I’m grateful to recognize opportunity, and I thank God for my friend who presented this one to me.

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. ~James 2:26

It’s a glorious morning and I’m feeling especially grateful to God today. Yesterday I got together for more than three hours with three women from the resort, ostensibly to discuss our winter travels. But so much more than that happened. I believe we had ‘church.’ All three have a deep relationship with God, and their dependence on Him is evident in their speech. Being with them was so uplifting and spiritually energizing! It wasn’t all that long ago that I eschewed those I perceived to be religious, but that changed little by little, starting with my recovery. Ever since then, dependence on God has replaced my previous attitude of “I can get by” without Him. I’m grateful that somehow, someway, God managed to gather us together at this particular place. Considering it’s out in the middle of nowhere, it’s a miracle. I’m grateful to be in my right place.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28

A lot is happening in our world today—rumblings of World War III, mass shootings, trans-BS everywhere, corruption on every level, the list goes on. It’s almost enough to make one lose hope in tomorrow. And yet, we are instructed to be grateful. It seems like a tall order, but not impossible. It really is ‘mind over matter.’

If left unchecked, my mind runs wild and can take me to deep, dark places that I don’t need to go to. So I really have to pay attention and notice when I’m about to fall off the beam; no one can do it for me. It’s up to me to take action to pull my self up.

ACTION = Any Change Toward Improving One’s Nature

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. ~Proverbs 4:23

I’ve been on the receiving end of grumblings from a couple of friends who are going through really tough times. Both are struggling—one with the consequences of a decision and the other with rejection. I can relate. It’s “the pits.”

The last time I was in the pits was last August when my son didn’t call me on my birthday. I complained to everyone who would listen. In my mind, I was completely justified in how I felt, which was very, very hurt. I really didn’t feel better after complaining; actually, retelling the story made me feel even worse. It wasn’t until someone at a recovery meeting cut me off and said I needed to focus on the solution, not the problem. That blunt, but very well-meaning, comment was startling, but true. I needed to hear it.

I’m grateful to have learned that energy flows where attention goes, and whatever I focus on—no matter if it’s positive or negative—grows. I’m grateful to know I have a way to get out of the pits. I can take action to divert my attention to something life-giving instead of life-zapping…go for a walk, put on some soothing music, putter outside, love on my pup, dig into God’s Word. Basically, get out of my self.

I love my friends and I’m grateful to lend an ear….to a point. I’m learning to listen without interruption and just be a sounding board….to a point. There’s only so much I can do, and then I add them to my prayer list. I know that this, too, shall pass. And that’s another thing to be grateful for!

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. ~ James 5:9

One of the things I love most about writing out daily gratitude is that it involves research of some sort—such as finding just the right quote that leads to a topic or finding the perfect photo to edit—which in turn stokes my love of learning. Today’s quote is by a man known as the “Prince of Preachers,” and thought of by many as the greatest preacher of the past century. It appealed to me because of my own minimalist lifestyle and passion for nature and the outdoors. With the exception of friends I’ve made living on a boat or RVing, most who know me think I’m an anomaly, as well as an enigma. I just know my parents are watching me from heaven, wondering when in the world I’m going to settle down and live like everybody else.

Truth be told, that thought appeals sometimes. Then I’d have more room for stuff, but truly, I can’t think of anything I want. Guess I’ve grown accustomed to living simply. I’m grateful for being satisfied.

Memories form the basis of my happiness, and those would never be found in ‘things.’ It’s the people I meet along the way, foods I’ve eaten, outdoor experiences I’ve had—these are what I enjoy. And remember.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. ~ Isaiah 12:3

Getting old(er) has been an interesting experience—indeed, it is a privilege not granted to everyone—and I’m finding that GRATITUDE for the physical and mental changes and challenges that come with it helps me deal with what’s essentially ‘reality.’

My aches and pains are of the garden variety, and nothing serious, thank God. Truly. That’s not to say I’m not suffering the natural consequences of past bad behavior and previous poor choices, but today I’m willing to acknowledge my part and accept what is. Had I known then what I know now, I might have done things differently. God only knows.

Lately I’ve been expressing daily gratitude for remembering things. Things that require ‘memory,’ such as the sequence of tasks necessary to edit a photograph, or the series of events in a story I’m telling someone, or simply where I parked the car…when I’m successful at remembering something, I thank God. Memory is important to me.

I’m grateful not to be in denial and resistant to getting older—resorting to plastic surgery and such in an attempt to look younger. Instead, what I’m trying to do is just feel comfortable in my own old skin and be happy with the person I’m still becoming. That’s why it’s called growing old. I’m grateful to be alive. Sometimes saying, “Thank you,” is enough.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16

The older I get, the more pride I take in technical conquests, such as being able to check the calendar on my phone while being on a call at the same time. I’d be so afraid of dropping the call, I’d first have to end it and then look at my calendar. But I’ve gotten braver about experimenting with apps on my phone and on the laptop. I’ve even shown my husband a thing or two about his iPhone that he wasn’t aware of, and he is a computer guy.

This morning, I navigated around a complicated website and downloaded a large pdf. It was taxing on my eyes to read on my phone, so I sought a solution. One was to send it to my Kindle. It was worth a try. Not knowing how things like this even happen, I waited a few minutes before opening my Kindle. Of course, it was there, and it’s so much easier to read!

I’m grateful I still want to learn new things and grow as an individual. It seems that the more I learn, the more I want to know.

Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ~1 Timothy 4:15

It’s not even 8 a.m. and already two tornado warnings have been issued and expired. An interesting day appears to be ahead, weather wise. I’m grateful for forecasts that provide vital information. I’m grateful for the security guard that drove around at 5 a.m., blaring an air horn, warning people to get up and get to the storm shelter here. I’m grateful the worst of the storm has passed now.

I’m grateful for the heavy rain that waters the earth. I’m grateful that it rinsed off a lot of the salt we brought back from the coast, as well as the copious amounts of pollen that always comes this time of year. I’m grateful for rainy days that make indoor projects rise to the top of the to-do list. I’m grateful for having an excuse to stay home and write, or read, or even clean if I want. I’m grateful for choices.

Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone. ~Zechariah 10:1

We made it back home yesterday, an uneventful trip covering 320 miles. Thank God. We usually aim for 200-mile days, but with inclement weather predicted, we didn’t want to chance being caught in a storm in the motorhome. My husband and I shared the driving, and we arrived alive, thank God. That is not a flippant comment—the last 75 miles or so of the journey are windy and narrow country highways. It can be nerve racking at times. But we’re here, safe and sound, and I’m grateful.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. ~Proverbs 27:12