I am grateful that God is creating, HAS created, a heart in me that is clean and covered in grace.

I am grateful to know that my CASA child will be a teenager and that I will begin this journey in June. Getting closer to our meeting day…

I am grateful for the sweetest video of my granddaughter I’ve ever seen. I can’t quit watching this. I just want to “squeeze her guts out,” as Mom would say: 

Anissa tells a story

Her mom has no idea where this came from, but it’s something about a wolf upstairs wanting to eat Andrae and Annistan, and she must save Annistan…and then at the end, you hear her say “The end!” I’m guessing it’s her version of Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs, Collins style. 

I am grateful for a letter from Aunt Patsy that included pictures of my Mom, Karissa and I at Dan & Candice’s wedding.  Oh, I miss my Mom so much this week.

I am grateful for my Mom’s sewing kit that I happened to remember was in the closet this morning. I opened it, saw the material that she bought to make a blanket for Parker, and I sat on the floor upstairs and cried. It was a good, healing cry, but it made me so sad. I am grateful that I have this memory of Mom…

I am grateful for an unused computer tower that was sitting in the office that now belongs on the desk at home. I am grateful for my boss who insisted on giving it to us.

I am grateful for a friendly neighbor who came to help set up the computer.

I am grateful that I had enough gumption in me this morning to move the squirrel in the live trap on the patio so that the neighbors don’t call PETA on us, I didn’t get my fingers chewed off by the panicked rat with a cuter outfit, and I was able to go to work and leave the poor thing in prison without setting up “Free the Rotten Rodent” camp outside the door.  

And I am grateful for this story from my devotions this morning:

When in Rome…do as the tourists do. At least that’s what my three friends and I were doing. At our first stop on our backpacking trip through Italy, we picked out the highlights from the travel book – the Vatican, the Coliseum, the Forum, and we were now in search for what the book called a “grotesque monument” dedicated to Victor Emmanuel.

I didn’t know what to expect, but in a Ripley’s Believe it or Not kind of way, I couldn’t wait to see this “grotesque monument.” I pictured a giant head of Victor Emmanuel with a bulging forehead or maybe a statue of a man with blood dripping down his face.

We knew we were close. According to the map, it was located somewhere near this humongous white building.

We started on one side of the building, but didn’t see anything there. We thought maybe we were on the wrong side, so we took the long walk across the building to the other side. Not there either.  Maybe at the back? Nope. Not there. Did we miss it on the first side? We better check. Or maybe it was in the front? Our tired legs circled the mammoth building again and again, going down intersections and looking behind buildings. After spending an exasperating hour on the hunt, we finally stopped to ask someone to point us in the right direction.

“Go straight down this road about a block,” the kind stranger said.

“Which side of the giant white building is it on?”

With You stupid American radiating from his eyes, the stranger answered – “It is the giant white building.”

I’ve never wanted to swear so badly in a foreign language. How could we have missed it?!! We spent an hour looking for something that was right in front of us this whole time!!

This past incident makes me think about our search to find ways to live out our faith. Is it possible that this quest resembles us circling a big, white building.

We wonder if we have a bigger purpose – while we’re circling the big, white building.

We see others making a difference – while we’re circling the big, white building.

We pray that God will show us how to love – while we’re circling the big, white building.

Circling. Circling. Circling.

But what if we stopped our maddening loop – stopped looking for ways in which we think we can live out our faith and look at the building right in front of us.

What does your big, white building look like? Well… what has God already placed in your life th­­­­­at can be used for a grander purpose? Maybe it’s the neighbors you hardly know who you could invite over for dinner. Or your graphic design skills put to use for a worthy non-profit. The unlimited texts on your phone to send quick, encouraging messages. Your job connections for those in desperate, financial need. Maybe God wants to take an ugly past experience and use it to bring beauty to broken lives.

We’re totally missing it if we think God is waiting to give us ways to live into His purpose. He isn’t holding back that joy or reserving it for others. He’s given us skills, experiences, passions, resources, and gifts that can have eternal and everlasting impact. We need to stop playing ring-around-the-building, and not overlook the opportunities right in front of us.

 

One of my favorite songs ever:

Search Me

It’s a good life.

I am grateful for grease on the pole.  Last night at Bingo, I shared our squirrel dilemma with the group, and when I told them that I was going to have to bring the bird feeders down off the pole, Louene piped up and said, “Well, grease the pole!” She had learned this trick from her quilting ladies. So, this morning, we didn’t have grease or Crisco, but we did have some vegetable  oil, so I rubbed some up and down the metal pole and before I left for work, I was entertained by a very unique circus! Two squirrels were attempting to reach the feeders and would get halfway up the pole, only to slide right back down. And then they would scamper across the patio like a cat with scotch tape on its paws! “What is on my feet?!”

It was such a funny, fun beginning to my day, and I loved finally getting one over them!

I am grateful for the smell of my shampoo and conditioner, fresh-baked bread, diesel, frying bacon, a hardware store, musk, a clean baby, the wafting scent of just fried French fries as we walk by Wendy’s, a big fat poster marker, and clothes that have been dried with dryer sheets.

I am grateful for the simple goodness of an egg for breakfast.

I am grateful for six pounds gone.

And I am grateful that even though there are so many awful things happening in this world, and so many issues that seem to divide those I love and care about, I can rest on the fact that I’m just temporarily here, this is not home, and I don’t have to be the judge and jury. It’s all out of my hands, and I have peace knowing that I belong to the King, and one day soon, He’ll take me HOME home.

I belong to the King; I’m a child of His love,
I shall dwell in His palace so fair,
For He tells of its bliss in yon Heaven above,
And His children in splendor shall share.

I belong to the King; I’m a child of His love,
And he never forsaketh His own.
He will call me some day to His palace above;
I shall dwell by His glorified throne.

I belong to the King, and He loves me I know,
For His mercy and kindness so free
Are unceasingly mine wheresoever I go,
And my refuge unfailing is He.

I belong to the King, and His promise is sure:
That we all shall be gathered at last
In His kingdom above, by life’s waters so pure,
When this life with its trials is past.

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong – because someday in life you will be all of these. – George Washington Carver

I am grateful for sounds of robins waking up very early in the morning.

I am grateful for John Pinette. He died on Saturday, and he was my favorite comedian. I am grateful for his sense of humor and ability to make me laugh at everything he said and did. He brought happiness to the world.

I am grateful for loose pants!! This drastic change in diet, along with drinking a gallon of water and exercise IS WORKING! I am grateful that we are eating much better. And I am grateful for the kickstart from Karissa to motivate and challenge us.

I am grateful for a funny partner to share life with. He is so quick-witted and makes me laugh many times a day.

I am grateful that Hobby Lobby puts their holiday items on sale before the holiday, although most of it is still too expensive for Bingo prizes.

I am grateful for the reminder this morning that when I feel distant from God, I should look inward for the cause, and all I have to do is whisper the name of Jesus, and He is right here.

And I am grateful for sea salt.

I am grateful for graham crackers. What a simple, wonderful snack. Graham cracker crusts, s’mores, Golden Grahams, first snacks for babies, and one of my favorites: graham crackers dipped in a glass of milk. Mmmmmmmm. I used to feel like I’d “won the lottery” when Mom would splurge and buy a box of cinnamon and sugar graham crackers!

I am grateful for Sam, for absurd experiences that are so ridiculous they make me laugh and squirm at the same time, and for visions of “Call of the Wildman.” Have you ever seen that show? It’s a toothless guy who’s nickname is Turtleman, and he is an exterminator of larger creatures – he removes raccoons and snakes and other creatures from people’s homes and then releases them into the wild, choosing to free them rather than harm them. And he does it with his bare hands. And when he succeeds, he yells, “Woo woo woo! Live action!”

Last night, we were sitting down to a long-awaited meal of a really good steak from the grill with a side of peas and carrots and a large salad. Oh, that first bite tasted so good. And then, we heard a small scratchy kind of noise. We dismissed it as the garbage disposal groaning at having just been used, although it was a far-fetched idea, but we were hungry and took that second bite of the amazing steak. And then we heard little feet scampering above the kitchen sink. And then we heard more scratching and what sounded like knawing noises. Talk about an end to an appetite and a wonderful dinner…

The following 30 minutes were spent figuring out what to do to stop this squirrel who had invaded the attic and slipped down the side of the house, INSIDE, and was now trapped in the “empty cavity” above the cupboards and sink of the kitchen. Sam called his handyman friend who had just sat down for dinner but offered a sounding board for Sam’s ideas to remove this furry invader of all things peaceful and pleasant, and after I realized that help was not on its way – I was going to have to assist in this extermination/removal, we got down to business. Well, SAM got down to business. I sort of watched and sighed and worried a little. We shut all of the doors in the house, just in case the varmint got loose, and then proceeded to hang a sheet and “seal” it with a staple gun. Sam went outside, opened the kitchen windows, and removed the can light above the sink before stepping down off the ladder and instructing me to bang a pan on the wall to try to scare the rascal out. As he was making his way back inside to protect me from an escape artist, the little rat with a furry tail plopped down onto the sheet and made his getaway out the window to freedom.

Talk about absurd and ridiculous and hilarious and AWFUL. I was grateful for no squirrels in the house, for a husband who knew what to do, and for silence in place of scampering.

And then we sat down and enjoyed the remainder of what WAS a delicious HOT meal. Who needs Turtleman? Not I, says the squirmy lady with a pan in one hand and Sam by her side. Cute outfit or not, the rat has to go.

Woo woo woo! Live action!

I am grateful for a beautiful card from Delores I received this weekend. Inside were three pictures – one of my Dad’s work truck, one of my Dad’s gas station, and one of Mom, Katrina, and I sitting at a table at a scrapbook store working on a surprise scrapbook/photo album for Karissa’s high school graduation. What beautiful memories, and what a wonderful, dear friend to have sent them to me along with words of encouragement and blessings. I love you, Delores!

I am grateful that we’ve made it through seven days without spending a penny at a restaurant or fast food drive through or at a convenience store for anything other than fuel. I am grateful that we have made it through seven days of eating only fruits and vegetables and lean meat. I am grateful that I have made it through seven days of drinking nothing but water and lots of it. I am sure I have downed more water in seven days than I had in six months, and that is not an exaggeration.

~~~~~

I am grateful for yesterday’s message at church. We are reading through Luke during Lent, and the messages have been focused on the book being about the “Gospel of the Nobodies.” Yesterday was focused on those we consider “less than.” Those who are homeless, down and out, below our “social or economic class…” This story was part of my morning devotions that coincide with daily readings from Luke, and it made me cry:

Several years ago, my family and I were in New York City visiting my brother-in-law. We had a wonderful time seeing Broadway shows, eating at fun and unique delicatessens, shopping Fifth Avenue and more. One afternoon, we were walking around Times Square when we came across a middle-aged African-American man who was holding a sign that read “Homeless – Please Help”. Our youngest daughter, Victoria, was around 7 years old at the time. She was walking between her mom (Lisa) and me, and our other two girls were walking behind us with their beloved uncle.

As we got closer to the man, I noticed that Victoria kept staring at him. I was just about to have a parent moment and tell her that staring was rude when she suddenly stopped and said, “I want to help him.” Of course, I was concerned about this proposition on multiple levels. I tried to explain to Victoria why trying to help him was not a good idea. If we gave him money, he might use it to buy alcohol or drugs. Besides, there were local churches, charities, and government agencies that could assist him. We also didn’t know anything about his story or his state of mind and approaching him was probably not a safe choice.

Victoria would have none of it. She was intent on doing something to help and she said, “If I can’t give him money, then what can I do?” I looked at Lisa like a deer caught in the headlights. Here I was, a pastor, trying to talk our strong-willed, tough as nails, sweet as sugar, compassion-filled daughter out of doing something right out of the “What Would Jesus Do” handbook. What was I thinking?

Lisa spoke first, “Well, you could buy him something to eat and give it to him. There’s a deli on the corner. Would you like to go and pick something out?” This was one of the many times in my life that I was thankful that I married “up.” Though I was still concerned about safety, this was a reasonable, workable plan.

Victoria entered the deli, and within 60 seconds keyed in on the fruit. “I would like to buy him an apple. Do I have enough money left to do that?” We told her she did and Lisa took a well crinkled envelope with “Victoria” written on it out of her purse and handed it to her. Victoria took the apple up to the clerk, paid for it, got her change, and gave the envelope back to Lisa.

We told Victoria that we weren’t sure how the man would react. He might say thank you, he might get mad and say mean things, or he might do something in between. We just didn’t know. We told Victoria that regardless of what happened next, we were super proud of her and that we just knew Jesus was, too.

Victoria approached the man, and held out the apple. The moment of truth had arrived. The man looked at her, and then at us. “She wanted to buy you an apple,” Lisa said. The man graciously accepted Victoria’s gift, grinned from ear to ear and took a huge bite out of the juicy, red apple. “Thank you, little girl, and God bless you.” He continued to enjoy the apple as we slowly walked away.

Our daughter had just lived out Luke 17:21 (“God’s kingdom is already among you”). She had reminded us that God is at work within, among, and through us – that we are all called to be his instruments, his hands and feet, people of the kingdom – that we are to live the way Jesus taught us to live and to love the way Jesus taught us to love – that we are to help others see, hear, taste, and experience the forgiving, loving, grace-filled Kingdom of God.
– Rev. Chris Holliday serves as the associate minister at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West

And finally, on this beautiful Monday, I am grateful for the way the message began yesterday, with Scott giving a personal story about ordinary experiences that are so full of “pregnant meaning.” He described those moments that I have had that are just ordinary experiences but it is clearly evident that God is present, that He wants me to take something deeper from the ordinary experience. Like the bird that greets me each morning with a song, even in the dead of winter when he has every reason to complain. Like the feelings I have in texting my daughter who had been so distant and unreachable for so long but is now so present and actively working with me to restore our relationship. Like the hymn that is in my mind all night and then I hear it in the bells coming from the church down the street, outside the apartments. Like the full feelings of joy and peace that overwhelm me as I sit back in the quiet of the morning and reflect on the blessings and grace I have been given in spite of my past disobedience. I want to be so careful to not miss the message of an ordinary experience, to appreciate it for its deeper meaning that God intends for me to hear, to be grateful and acknowledge each experience and not take them for granted.

I am grateful for the fun of Opening Day, although I am very content to enjoy it away from the ballpark, especially on this fairly chilly day in Kansas City. Opening Day makes me crave a hot dog. So, in honor of Opening Day at the K, grandchildren that fill my heart and mind, and this incredibly strong craving, please click on the link below, and enjoy your Friday:

Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog

I am grateful for this morning’s little prayer that was on my desk calendar I received from Michelle.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the opportunity to laugh. Help me to find joy in everything that I do. Let me laugh and be cheerful, so that those around me will be blessed by my smile and my optimism. Amen. – Kim Boyce

This prayer reminds me of Uncle Charlie. I would like to be more like him.  I need to be conscious of my face and the hourly scowl that comes so naturally. My students used to tell me that I always looked unhappy, even when I wasn’t. I want to show the joy that is bubbling up inside of me at all times and be more like Charlie, which actually means becoming more Christ-like. I am grateful for Uncle Charlie and his optimism and beautiful example of joy.

I am grateful for all of the robins who are searching for worms after the rain.

I am grateful for a beautiful warm mid-day and the opportunity to step outside and enjoy it.

I am grateful for shoes that fit.

And I am grateful that I will be able to see Abbie and Tara perform tonight in their school musical, “Schoolhouse Rock.”

Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.
    Hide me in the shadow of your wings. – Psalm 17:8

I am grateful for a reminder this morning that I am in the shadow of His wing.

I am grateful for the sound and smell of steady rain.

I am grateful for these words: “Thank you.”  It doesn’t take much to say them, and sometimes they are taken for granted, but it is noticed when they are left out. Betty, Katherine, Ruth and Avis are always so good to say “thank you” after Bingo.

I am grateful for flashlights. What a handy thing to have, especially when the batteries are good.

I am grateful for big pajama pants, a sweatshirt, and extra soft socks from Delores to wear around the house. Comfortable is wonderful.

I am grateful for simple grilled chicken that is a perfect ending to a hungry day. Thank you, Sam, for having dinner ready when I got home from Bingo.

I am grateful for Sam, because he is sacrificing his eating habits with me for 24 days. It’s nice to have someone with whom to experience this.

And I am grateful for a good hair day on a rainy day.

I am grateful that tonight is Bingo and I will see my Gables friends again.

On the way to work this morning, I thought about what would happen if I woke up one morning and could no longer see. The first thing that came to mind was not being able to see myself in the mirror to do my hair. I was so disgusted that I am so shallow and superficial. And then I thought about not being able to drive any longer. Being dependent on someone else to get me where I need to go, or do my grocery shopping or clothing shopping. Not being able to see the spring flowers or see the cardinal outside the window. Not being able to see pictures of my children and grandchildren.  I am so grateful for my eyesight.

I am grateful for the willpower to resist chocolate scotcheroos that were placed in front of me last night at the choir meeting. And I am grateful for my sense of smell, because it was a glorious smell that I was able to enjoy for an hour and a half.

I am grateful for hearing. Mine is not great, but it is good enough to hear giggles and music and bird songs and cartoon sound effects and whispers (although in my left ear only) of “I love you” and the crunch of potato chips and dried leaves and fresh snow underfoot.

I am grateful for water that is readily available. Karissa told me this morning that I should be drinking 12 bottles a day, or one gallon a day. And it made me think of those in our world who do not have access to water out of a bottle or the faucet. I am rich and don’t even realize it. I am wasteful and ashamed.

I am grateful for the reminder in my devotions this morning to take a sincere interest in someone today. The world does not revolve around me, and I need to revolve myself around someone else. I need to take inventory – when talking to friends and family, do I dominate the conversation and spend more time talking or listening? I need to use my sense of hearing and listen more. I need to use my brain and ask more questions and then really listen to the answers. Is it more important for me to talk about my “world,” or learn more about their world? What do I really know about that other person? 

And I am grateful for a new beautiful little one who arrived on March 25 to Roman and Vangie. His name is Garrett Paul Daniel Rodriguez, and he is beautiful.

Music to my ears…

I am grateful for Rhonda Miller, because she has a plethora of really good wisdom like this:

Before you pray: BELIEVE
Before you speak: LISTEN
Before you spend: EARN
Before you write: THINK
Before you quit: TRY
Before you die: LIVE

I am grateful for a phone call with Katrina and the pictures they sent of their spring break trip to Seattle.

I am grateful for Ginny’s email and Deb’s daily devotions.

I am grateful for Linda’s stories that should be compiled into a book and grateful for phone calls from Barb.

I am grateful for memories of Curtis whistling to country music.

I am grateful for memories of Jeanine, Curtis and Darren cracking jokes back and forth.

I miss my PLP friends.

From Deb’s devotions:  “For The Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.” Isaiah 49:13 NIV

“Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as adversity has done. Out of pain and problems have come the sweetest songs, the most poignant poems, the most gripping stories. Out of suffering and tears have come the greatest spirits and the most blessed lives.”

I am grateful for time spent with Dwight and Dad this weekend.

I am grateful for Scotty and Dwight, for their help painting the house on Saturday.

I am grateful for the overwhelming blessing of having my daughter back in my life on a daily basis.

I am grateful for videos of my grandchildren to make me smile.

We miss you, Ama.

I am grateful for a refrigerator full of fresh fruit and vegetables and healthy lean meat, all ready for the next 23 days.

I am grateful for overdraft protection.

I am grateful for Sam. He makes me laugh and enjoy the ridiculousness of life.

And I am grateful for an excellent message yesterday about Jesus and the prostitute – another nobody who was somebody, just like me.

The Gospel of the Nobodies – The book of Luke.

I am grateful for Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”

And I am grateful for this picture from Jeanine: