It turns out that being thankful is good for me. I didn’t miss writing right away, but within a few days, I felt a loss.

By the end of the second week, I find that I’m drifting in my thoughts and priorities.  Could it be that being thankful keeps me focused and on task?  Hm.  I look at my garden today and portions around the flower bed need some tending, but the vegetable garden is a veritable prairie of Midwestern weeds.  It will take a delicate hand to sort out which are the good and the bad.  Again, gardening preaches to me…How sad to lose a harvest by letting weeds take over.  Also true with projects done poorly, missing a chance in reaching out to those who need a touch and ignoring my own soul’s tending.

Well, today I begin…again… Ah, what a wonder life is that we can start over.   Time for some manual and spiritual Weed-B-Gone. Now, where is that hoe?

86.  Thankful to God for His new mercies every morning.

87.  Grateful for truth revealed and a heart ready to receive it.

88. Embracing the pain of loss for the joy of purity and contentment

89.  Eager for soul rest and the seeds of hope reborn.

90.  Appreciative that restlessness can lead to something good and whole, if a person is willing to let the cause come to the surface, be identified and dealt with.  This leaves room for fresh growth and it’s no longer shadowed by shame or sorrow.

What disciplines are your using to cultivate your soul and life?  Tell of your experiences. I’m here….I’m listening.  :)

It can be all sorts of things, but when I’m truly “with” another, the camaraderie and community grows in the act of sharing.

As I continue the journey of gratitude, ponder with me in the ways we can generously share “the good stuff” of life…with others.

76.  Sharing a treat is always more fun then eating it alone.  Always. Even chocolate.

77.  Sharing in someone’s grief and bringing comfort and hope. What an honor; an intimacy.

78. Sharing a joy with someone and having them really celebrate with me…without envy, sarcasm or bitterness.

79. Shared prayer, seeking God together is satisfying.  It’s so much more meaningful to pray with a person than just to pray separately.

80. Shared humor is a blessing. Not everyone finds the same things as funny, but when you do, joy doubles, spirits soar, laughter echoes in the heart, …friendships deepen.

81.  Sharing in-kind goods with those in need or receiving something while in need. Both have grateful prayer written all over them.

82.  Sharing is part of being a healthy person and regular generosity breeds health and freedom of spirit.  The opposite is also true: greed breeds bitterness, envy and a low morale.

83.  Sharing good news brings joy to the listener …and the teller.  What news can I share today to build up another…

84.  Sharing “the best” frees my heart. When I hold back the best for myself, I reveal a stingy heart. Lord, free me from wanting the biggest or the best and let me honor another by giving to them as I would to you.

85.  Sharing the load makes the work better and builds bonds that would be otherwise missing.  When I share in the chores or work with others, I am blessed because they let me help and we often can be more effective.  I am blessed by others’ awareness and their willingness to be engaged in the world outside of themselves.

What else do you share?  How is it meaningful to you? I’m here… I’m listening.  :)

Gratefully, today I am more settled and at peace. I took time to notice things I love hearing. Join me in thanksgiving for these. Maybe you’ll think of things to add or maybe you dismiss some of them as too ordinary.  Here we go!

66. Hearing “I love you” or better yet…”I love you back.”

67.  Hearing the sound of waves on rocks at the shoreline.

68.  Hearing shared laughter of friends across a busy restaurant, knowing they’re making a memory.

69.  Hearing convicting words of a pastor, passionate to see his people follow closely after Christ and not at a distance.

70. Hearing the cheer of thousands as they worship God in His splendor…recognizing Him for who He is and not just the gifts he so readily provides.

71.  Hearing “I forgive you” in a tone that makes me weep with thanks and humility.

72.  Hearing favorite songs that bring memories of days gone by and the smiles that come with them!

73.  Hearing other languages spoken in kindness, not knowing what is said, but seeing the kind countenances as conversation is shared.

74.  Hearing the wind tickle the leaves and enjoying the praise that arises.

75.  Hearing the happy whistle of people who work as maids, waitstaff or do other mundane tasks.  You bring joy to those you serve. Thank you!

61.  The homey scent cinnamon is everywhere, in the cherries, the bread pudding and the sticky bun from Grandma’s Swedish Bakery (Door County)

62.  The heady scent of pine, grass and wood-smoke while tromping through the woods.

63  The unmistakable scent of the lake, calm and inviting on a humid morning.

64.  The clean scent of sunscreen, shampoo and soap… the world is happier when cleaner, don’t you think?

65. The ever-welcoming scent of freshly made coffee, served in a real mug.

ap·prov·al

In reflecting on thanks today, I am so very aware of God’s hand of mercy and grace. To have HIS approval is an amazing gift of hope that I aim to freely give to others. This IS part of the good news of the Gospel.  Let’s give approval to others and verbalize acceptance often today!

56.  To know it’s possible to repent and be forgiven  is such freedom.

57.  To be able to appropriate God’s grace in the moment it’s needed is a miracle.

58.  To offer a gracious response to difficult people is to reveal the grace of God I’ve received.

59.  To have a clear conscience and be welcomed as “blameless” is my soul’s delight

60.  To walk into the day with God’s hope is a triumph over dread and fear and it is NOT (thank God!) dependent on my feelings.

What would you add?

51.  Abundant supply of classic lit and other materials. And many are available online…for free!

52. The never ending joy of love and overflowing grace from God.

53.  Dancing around the sprinkler like I was 7 again, giggling…hearing the water hit the brick – celebrating the tingly cold on a hot day.

54.  The vast amount of lush greenery all around. What a gift parks are to townspeople everywhere.

55.  The joyful worship of creating, of making, of designing… It all reflects the Creator.  May God be praised!

36.  Recognizing the beauty of order and symmetry in nature

37.  Noticing the pacing of waves, of wind in the trees, of the sun’s movement overhead

38.  Remembering the simple courtesies taught in school – standing in line, raising your hand, waiting your turn

39.  Appreciating the look of love from a friend

40.  Embracing the freedom of spirit that a clear conscience brings

41.  Welcoming the presence of God in the “every day” things

42.  Wondering about the day and how God will make himself known anew.

43.  Enjoying a handwritten note sent by a loved one

44.  Anticipating the future and knowing God is “there” already.

45.  Praying for opportunities to bless …and to accept blessing of others

46.  Recalling the feel of dewy feet while basking in breakfast picnic togetherness

47.  Thinking of friends in pain and how powerful their testimony becomes when they rejoice “in spite of”

48.  Longing to love with the rhythms of grace and grateful to overcome days when I didn’t desire it… at all.

49.  Seeing with fresh eyes and looking beyond the horizon for what’s next… instead of dreading the next step.

50. Actively pursuing the good, the wholesome, the hopeful and setting aside the tainted, the fake and the cynical

I’m on a journey of gratitude…heading towards 1000 reasons to give thanks…  Join me as the journey continues…

26.  Discovering long gone photos when purging closets.

27.  Courageous friends who are open to deeper friendship.

28.  Freedom of these moments to learn, think and reflect.

29.  Finding that honesty is not the same thing as complaining.

30. For today, embracing the joy of accepting what “is” as opposed to continually grasping for an ideal and living disappointed.

31.  The little wild flowers waving colorfully in the county parks around the area.

32.  The tenderness of a child’s heart – the yearning, the discovery, the understanding.

33.  Realizing that I have more choices than I ever dreamed.

34.  Paying down debt, receiving peace, joyfully giving

35.  Seeing mystery as something valuable to welcome not a problem to be solved.

16.  Fresh produce from local gardens

17. Awareness of things that are truly “good”

18.  Shared laughter with loved ones, far and near

19.    The different moods of the lake revealed in greys, blues, greens and aquamarine

20. The sound a sprinkler makes as it jets energy to the flowers and grass

21.  The smell of things that are the same since childhood: Playdough, a wet sidewalk after a rain, cut grass, pencils and a box of crayons.

22.  Orderly closets (for now)

23.  Sparkly glass and diamonds and dew

24.  Inside jokes that breed intimacy instead of exclusion

25.  Lantern light welcoming the morning dawn