A Gratitude Journal

Okay -- so this was not my idea.  It comes from the Ladies' Class that we have currently on Sunday mornings at Westside.  I decided to use it as one way to help  up-date my blog, a past-time I'm rather bad at, actually.  So here goes....  Feel free to post to it as well

Sunday was my mom’s birthday – 65^th actually. So I am grateful to have a close, open friendship with my Mom. It is a great blessing to be able to talk to her in ways and about topics I know many cannot communicate with their mothers.

I’m grateful for Angela Jackson. It was good to have my dear former student here who makes me glad to do what I do. It helps me remember Isaiah 54 which says the barren woman will have more children than anyone else.

I’m also grateful for indoor plumbing. We’ve had trouble with ours and it makes me appreciate it.  I’m also thankful we got the toilet unstopped. That would not have been pleasant. I’m also thankful that when it leaked it was only water and not smelly stuff. Did I mention that I’m thankful for bleach too? Good old Clorox and it’s ability to unstop drains.  I’m also thankful for Uncle Bill and his insight for fixing things – and giving us the tip about the Clorox.

Okay – so I’m not a morning person. I am trying to be grateful for and 8 a.m. class that gives me the entire day ahead after it’s done.

I’m grateful for students – once again. A long day. Useful, productive day, but long.  Two students became three, then four and the conversation stretched from hair colors & styles to clothing to research papers to eating to just silliness. Fifteen to twenty minutes on the Quad, and I’m re-energized by their bright spirits. The Lord always sends me reminders of why I do what I do when I most need it – or even when I’m not sure I do. These bright minds and hearts who show his glory, joy and diversity.

I’m grateful for Damon who had my favorite soothing song ready in the car when he came to pick me up. It is a blessing to have a spouse who is thoughtful and knows me so well.

I’m grateful for music as I start the day to day. Bach is playing on my nifty little mp3 player. "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" – a good way to start the day. Bach reminds us – me in particular – of the joy God gives us in music. It is a gift He did not have to give us, but He did. It gives us joy and shows us his majesty and glory and helps us express our love and other emotions. To continue the theme, I have now switched to my favorite – "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring." Bach understood the Lord’s gifts to us and it is there in his music.

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009

Well, these things start out well, but don't always continue such.  I am thankful for remembering.  The Lord does not make us start all over everyday to learn everything anew.   We can start fresh -- but we can remember what we did yesterday and try to do better.   I am grateful as always for the Lord's grace the covers my mistakes and His strength to do better.