I am grateful for chocolate chip cookie dough in a mixing bowl.

I am grateful for a brilliant blue sky in October.

I am grateful for baseball players who know to keep their mouths closed when chewing gum, who respect their fans enough to not spit in public, and who know how to shave and do so. Basically, I am grateful for fantasy baseball players.

I am grateful for the Cinderella team from my city, even though they chew obscenely, spit obscenely, and grow hair on their faces.

I am grateful for the smell of fresh balsam. Mmmmmmmm.

I am grateful for a Friday evening at home, with cookies in the oven, baseball on TV, a chill in the air, and nothing to do but relax. Well, I have lots to do, but those things will wait. Life is too short to hurry and stress.

I am grateful for an email from my daughter yesterday:

Wow.  Chpt 19 in Battlefield of the Mind was amazing.  Such a good reminder that every single interaction with everyone is always our opportunity to turn someone towards Christ or away from Christ. We live in a “customer is always right mentality” world, and when we feel wronged by a restaurant,  store, person, etc., it is important to remember we might be the only light that person ever sees. Instead of demanding a manager or reacting in anger or getting what you might feel you deserve, we should respond in agape love, putting their feelings first and seeing the best in everyone and every situation.  This might be our hardest calling, but Jesus walked on the earth to show us how it’s done. He was crucified and tortured greater than any human ever will be and still never showed one ounce of anger or bitterness or anxiety or revenge, but patiently suffered for us.  What an amazing example He is.  Next time someone gets your order wrong or speaks rudely to you, remember how much Jesus went through on the cross and what kind of example He is.  If He can suffer through that with a good attitude, how much more we can do!   Wow, I’m so convicted but so excited to let my extreme difference from the world shine.

Philippians 2:14-15 NLT

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

I am grateful for fleece jackets, thick socks, and blue jeans.

I am grateful for the refreshing smell of a chilly October afternoon.

I am grateful for a kitchen timer so that I don’t have to constantly check the oven.

I am grateful for two daughters who are so passionate about raising children well, who are so passionate about making a difference in this world.

And finally, I am grateful for blankets, fireplaces, heated seats, a working furnace, and weather stripping for the windows.