This morning on our walk, I was grateful that I brought a jacket.

I was grateful for the beauty of the moon.

I was grateful for the quiet street.

I was grateful for mowed grass to walk through.

I was grateful for the cardinal singing, and I imagined he was singing Psalm 121, so this favorite song of mine (above) played on my internal jukebox and will all day long.

I was grateful that all of the things swimming in my head yesterday dissipated in the stillness of the morning.

I was grateful for my walking partner and the fact that I would have rather stayed under the covers but he asked, “You wanna walk?”

I was grateful for the prompting of the Holy Spirit with each step I took, to pray for Lisa and Nancy, for Chris and Kreyson, for Karissa’s health and her bible study, for Delores and decisions, for my granddaughters getting ready to go back to school, for Melissa and the boys, for an end to our search for the depression expert, for my Dad, for a break for my brother, for Valerie, for my sister-in-law’s upcoming surgery, for Alan, for Hong’s boys, for protection for my Texas grandchildren, for Sam, for Geri’s new life at home, for Curby and Jeffry’s hearts, and for Uncle Charlie and cousin Charlie.

I was grateful for the bittersweet memories that came to mind of teaching some of the best kids in the world, missing my choirs.

I was grateful for the privilege of seeing children riding their bikes to school for something happening in the early morning.

I was grateful to watch a beautiful white and gray cat being curious on our patio.

I was grateful that Natia can still run happy all over the front yard.

I was grateful for the beauty of blooming ornamental grass.

I was grateful for the gift of a cool August morning instead of sticky humidity.

I was grateful that God knows my anxious heart and already has everything mapped out.

I was grateful that ALL of my help comes from the Lord, through creation, through the lives of my circle, through His word.

I was grateful.

I still am.