I am grateful for this song that has played on my internal jukebox since church ended yesterday:

And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

 

I am grateful for a husband who vacuums for me, and I didn’t even ask.

I am grateful for the sore muscles feeling after a really long walk to the bagel store on a Saturday morning.

I am grateful for another new beginning.

I am grateful for Saturday cleaning days and the way I feel when the day is done and the house looks good and smells good.

I am grateful for the feeling of satisfaction from a successful, home-cooked, slow-smoked brisket, even if I wasn’t the one who labored over the slab of beef.

I am grateful for the feelings of anticipation and excitement of working with a really great caseworker who cares deeply about our girl.

I am grateful for this, because it was the message I received when I spoke with my daughter on Saturday:

I am grateful for the feeling of a sudden wind change, a cool front blowing in just before a summer thunderstorm.

I am grateful for the feeling joy when I look over at Sam as he stands at the mixer and makes chocolate chip cookies, just because he wanted to help.

I am grateful for new technology; that is, cooled seats in a vehicle.

I am grateful for a letter addressed to Ama and for the contents inside: artwork and photos of two beautiful little girls.

I am grateful for the feelings I have as I watch touching stories that go along with the talent on America’s Got Talent – a great summer show on NBC. I love how some things just make me cry.

I am grateful for the pleasant feelings when I hear a co-worker discover a gift we gave to her.

I am grateful that when I am feeling less-than-grateful and want to complain, I have someone who will listen and will not share with anyone else, but he encourages me to dwell on the positives and lifts my spirits by reminding me he is proud of me.

And once again, I am grateful that many years ago, my brother included this in his church bulletin that I cut out and kept it on the refrigerator as a reminder. I’ve never forgotten the wisdom, although I have not always modeled it:

Complain as little as possible of your wrongs, for as a general rule you may be sure that complaining is sin; the rather that self-love always magnifies our injuries: above all, do not complain to people who are easily angered and excited. If it is needful to complain to someone, either as seeking a remedy for your injury, or in order to soothe your mind, let it be to some calm, gentle spirit, greatly filled with the Love of God; for otherwise, instead of relieving your heart, your confidants will only provoke it to still greater disturbance; instead of taking out the thorn which pricks you, they will drive it further into your foot.