Tag: thankful

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Wisdom

God of Justice

This week, I am thinking about God’s justice, and while I can understand it on some level, I don’t think I can do it… justice…. in a simple blog post. (Yes, I intend all my puns!)

Our human justice is relatively low-level compared to God’s. It is a good start, but imperfect. We can do our best, but it can be challenging to manage our biases. We have to be careful not to let our emotions or preconceived ideas get the best of us.

God’s Justice overflows from His character and is connected to His righteousness. He is Holy and always just. We humans can not fully grasp God’s justice. If we disagree with Him, it is not He who is at fault. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours!

I have been watching the news about Israel and Iran. While Israel is not perfect, they are God’s beloved people. He will always fight on their behalf. That does not necessarily mean we jump in to help, but we must pray for our leaders and about our next steps.

I believe Israel would have been attacked either way, as this has been a longstanding part of Iran’s history toward them. (Note: I am not referring to the native Persians; in fact, many Israelis are also Persian Jews.) So, to me, it seems the pre-emptive attack is “justified” to some degree. Whatever your opinion, my point is that it’s not always clear. There is much to consider and no easy solution. We are not privy to all the background details, so you and I can only judge based on the information we have. God alone knows each person’s heart and motivation. Whatever happens, He is still in control.

Personally, I have been an observer and a ‘sometimes advisor’ to a few people in a complex situation. I see and hear things that are so unfair, but there is little I can do about them. I am limited in my decision-making and coaching because I mostly see the situation from one viewpoint.

I have to continually check my heart because while I want justice, I kind of want the other side to feel a little pain. I want to shake some sense into them and make them bear the consequences of their actions!

Needless to say, justice can be complicated. This I know: God will not be mocked. We reap what we sow, so we cannot afford to be wise in our own eyes. We must seek and pursue God’s justice and wisdom. While our Heavenly Father defends those He loves, He also disciplines them when needed. None of us is off the hook. We all must give an account someday.

God is a God of Justice. I am His conduit, but He does not ‘need’ me to do His work. I get to humbly participate because I am part of His family. That said, I still need to let God be God and have the final word. Psalm 89:14 says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.”

I am so glad I am not God because making just decisions is tough. We can weigh the pros and cons and listen to wise advice. We can pray and negotiate. We can try to minimize negative consequences. In the end, we must trust God to do what is right and just. He has already given us Jesus, and His Spirit will give us the strength to endure. Only He is above reproach!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for fighting on our behalf. Thanks, also, for loving us too much to let us get away with poor behavior. May we be a faithful example of your justice, mercy, and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Did you know Israel is the size of New Jersey, and Iran is twice the size of Texas? Did you know Jewish people comprise only 0.2% of the World’s population?

Task: Memorize Micah 6:8. For more background information on Israel, check out these two (not super political) videos: History of Israel and Gaza   and   a conversation with Mike Huckabee.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Microwave Christians

I was reviewing some notes on my phone yesterday and found a few comments I saved for later. These were some things I discussed with my dad in February, when Lydia and I visited my parents one week before my mom died.

We were eating dinner one night at Cracker Barrel. We weren’t too hungry, but I wanted to make sure Dad had something good to eat. He was tired from weeks of being stretched, and we were trying to make sense of the situation. Over biscuits and cornbread, we talked about how we need to lean on God and trust Him during trials.

Dad mentioned how many Jesus followers are “microwave Christians” in that they have no patience and want life to go their way, right away. Ding! But we can’t get by just pressing buttons and hoping for the best. God calls us to go deeper with Him.

Free Marguerite Close Up photo and picture

Then, we compared other kitchen gadgets and how they take a long time to work, but accomplish much more satisfying results. A “pressure cooker Christian” develops an intensity during trials. It’s extreme but yields a tender heart, pliable for doing God’s work. A “rotisserie Christian” may face the same situation repeatedly, always coming back around. But, those trials also serve their purpose: a softened heart understands God’s grace and can nourish others in the Truth.

We could make other parallels, such as a “crockpot Christian” or an “oven-baked Christian.” Haha, maybe not! If anything, these are best seen as we marinate or stew in God’s goodness. In doing so, we let Him have His way in our lives, slowly and steadily waiting for Him.

Also, don’t get me started on a “deep-fat-fryer Christian!” As a Registered Dietitian, I’d recommend an air-fryer and using minimal oil, if any at all! 😉

Looking at this another way, we see that very few things in Nature happen quickly. Mammals tend to have a long gestation period before the baby is born. Flowers take days and weeks to grow leaves and stems before blooming. Trees grow only one ring each year. Good things take time!

Overall, we can see that in trials, we need to settle in for the long haul, becoming all God has for us. As Dad said, “How will you learn to wait upon the Lord, if you don’t ever have to wait upon the Lord? Or, how will you learn to persevere in faith, if your faith is never tested?”

We can’t run away or bypass trials. We can’t just push the “easy button.” With God’s help, we can bear up under the weight of our trials and choose to be cheerful in affliction…

Trials are a guaranteed part of life. Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) says, “…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.“

I also love James 1:4-5 (NIV), which says, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.“

Today, resist acting like a microwave Christian and settle into God’s mercy, grace, and provision. He is faithful and more than able to bring you through… until Christ is formed in you (Galatians 4:19).

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God, thanks for being with us in trials. May we grow in perseverance, character, and hope so we can be mature in Christ, lacking nothing. May we yield to the Holy Spirit as He refines us! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Which kitchen tool do you identify with the most, based on the explanation above? How can you trust God more as you face trials?

Tasks: Consider how your current circumstances are growing you and making you more like Jesus. Pray for wisdom and strength, and be prepared to dig deep!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #483

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Peony Ornamental Plant photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was quite busy because we had something going on almost every night, but it all went well for the most part. I loved seeing so many pretty flowers around town and in the healing gardens at work. The peonies are especially gorgeous!

Monday night was the chiropractor. I am always glad to go because I can tell such a big difference. This time my back felt very “out of whack,” so I had some residual pain for a day or so after. But, overall, I feel so much better now! Thanks, Lord!

Tuesdays are usually my blogging night, but Lydia also had her volleyball camp. She was nervous but it turned out well. She said it was very competitive but I hope she can still have fun.

Work was pretty normal in that I had some pretty full days. I had some complex patients, and I received some compliments. Mostly, I just leaned on God to help me do my best. He is faithful, and I am grateful.

On Wednesday night, the summer youth group kicked off! Lydia had fun, and I am glad she went because she missed several times during the school year. This was for several reasons, including traveling, being sick, and doing homework. Still, it is a good program to build into our kids, so I always encourage Lydia to go!

By Thursday night, I was exhausted mentally and physically. I had a very taxing day at work and needed a break. So, I came home and lounged on the couch for a while. I thought about mowing the lawn, but instead, I ate some dinner, stretched a bit, and went to bed.

Last night, I did mow the lawn, and it was a beautiful day to do so. I also weeded and spent an extra hour outside doing various tasks. It was great. Lydia did not feel good, so I just let her rest. But one of these days, I will have her mow, too!

Today was a pretty relaxing day. We were invited to a graduation party, which was fun. I ran into an old friend I hadn’t seen in years, so I loved catching up with her.

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #482

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Flowers Salvia photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was another wild ride, but a good one overall! On Sunday, Lydia hung out with a friend, so I went to a forest preserve to walk around. I’d say hike, but it wasn’t too steep… 😉 Either way, it felt good to be outside.

Overall, one of my summer goals is to enjoy the slower pace by sitting outside and reading. It doesn’t take much to make me happy! The longer days are a little deceiving since I can easily lose track of time and suddenly it’s 10 p.m. I like to get up early as well, so ideally, I’m in bed before that! Nonetheless, I feel I have extra time to dawdle a bit without having to snowblow, layer up, and drive over ice. I love that part about summer — everything is easier!

Work was very busy again, but that’s not too unusual. We had a short week due to being off for Memorial Day. The crazy part was that I heard from four of my tube feeding patients in addition to all my scheduled ones. So, I had several extra calls and coordination to answer questions and get them what they needed. On Friday, two of my coworkers helped by seeing my scheduled patients so I could take care of some of the tube feeding issues. After getting interrupted daily for the last two weeks, I finally finished listening to a recorded meeting I missed when I was off on May 15th (for Dave’s twelve-year anniversary). 🙂 So, it felt good to get caught up.

Speaking of catching up, we got in some baby snuggle on Tuesday! That was a really sweet part of my week. Otherwise, our evenings were spent cleaning and mowing!

Yesterday, my mother-in-law arrived for a weekend visit. It is her birthday tomorrow, so we are enjoying celebrating her. We picked up some pound cake to eat with strawberries. We went out to eat, shopped for Lydia, looked at some flowers, played games, and have laughed a lot. I miss my own mom, but I am so glad I have Dave’s.

This week, I realized it has been ten years since I started this blog! I officially went live on my birthday in August 2015, but I came up with the idea, bought my domain name, and set up my blog in May. I am grateful for my readership and for what God is doing through me! I don’t know how long I will keep blogging or how things will change in the future, but for now, I am happy to continue. Thanks for being here!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Catching Up and Baby Snuggles

Last night after work, Lydia and I had the pleasure of meeting our friends’ new baby! Baby snuggles are the best!

These friends live just outside our neighborhood, and we don’t go by their house that much. We are just far enough away and have a different schedule that we don’t see each other often. I have known the dad since Lydia was little and the mom since they got married a few years ago. Now, they have two precious little boys!

My friend told me about her new baby boy’s birth story while Lydia played with her toddler. The new baby was born on Mother’s Day and came very quickly at home. It sounds a little scary, but her body knew exactly what to do. I am grateful God kept them all safe.

As I held the baby yesterday, I joked that Lydia was never that small. She was about two pounds more at birth (and a bit longer, too). The baby was wide awake the whole time I held him, but he fell asleep during Lydia’s turn.

Free Baby Feet photo and picture

I brought my friend some Clif bars (she requested) and talked about some parenting tips. She’s doing a great job, so I didn’t have much to share. But I did buy her a Time Timer to help her set some boundaries for her toddler. He’s still adjusting to the new baby and pushing more limits.

The Time Timer is a visual tool, and I have a few of my own! I use them in the bathroom to help me stay on track, or in the kitchen, similar to a regular timer. I use one downstairs to document how long I have been exercising. I also got one for my nephew so he can understand how much time is left while brushing his teeth.

It was such a joy catching up with this sweet little family and encouraging them. The mom is a middle school teacher (but not Lydia’s teacher). She helped out with FCA this year, and that was a huge blessing for us. We also briefly talked about Lydia spending time with them this summer… I know she’d love to help with the boys at the park in our neighborhood!

I love seeing God move in the lives around me. He is so good and faithful!

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God, thanks for my friends and their new baby. Help them adjust to being a family of four. Thanks for all the ways you grow and stretch us. May we keep pursuing your heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When was the last time you got to snuggle a newborn baby?! How can you bless another family around you? Bring them a meal? Mow their lawn?

Tasks: A small gift can go a long way to bless others. Make a list of some simple gifts to have on hand, so you are not left empty-handed in a pinch. You can keep these small items in a drawer or closet. For kids, consider a small puzzle, board books, silly putty or play-dough, a fidget spinner, and/or art supplies. A gift card, a candle, a crossword puzzle, a picture frame, and/or a devotional book might be appreciated for parents.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Finding Grace #481

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Pansy Purple photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This went so well, and it was all because of Jesus. On Monday, I had a heart-to-heart chat with Him and asked Him for help. He came through like He always does!

All week, I was swamped with work. I had many patients, but I also needed to catch up on charting from last week. I also had to complete my Monday and Tuesday notes before the long holiday. Plus, I had three competencies and quizzes to finish. I kept checking in with God and didn’t let myself get too stressed. I was calm and expectant and tried not to panic as the week went on! I raced to finish before my tour ended on Friday, and I finally clicked the last thing just as my shift was done. It was amazing, and I am so grateful!

Lydia finished seventh grade on Thursday! She also found out she was chosen to be in the chamber orchestra again next year. I am so proud of her hard work. She celebrated with a friend by going to dinner and then watching a baseball game.

I spent the evening mowing. It was a gorgeous day after several days of rain, so it was great to spend the time outside! I was proud of myself for getting it done ahead of the long weekend.

On Friday after work, Lydia went to hang out with another friend, so I went to Barnes and Noble for a coffee and to work on some continuing education. I like going there sometimes to focus. It is quiet, but it also minimizes distractions. I actually sit still and work since I don’t want to leave all my stuff unattended!

Today, we decided to do some cleaning. I enjoy being able to clean without rushing, so I listened to some podcasts and got lost in my dusting and organizing! Lydia did some laundry and cleaned her room. Tonight, we can relax a bit!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

Straight to the Source

What has God been telling you this week? I’d love to know in the comments!

Sometimes, it is difficult to hear God if we are running around like crazy. I have removed many things from my schedule, but there are days when it is still challenging to find some quiet time to listen. If God has been telling me anything lately, it’s just to spend some quiet time with Him.

Now, I do have regular time with God, but sometimes I feel rushed or distracted. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with work, house maintenance, errands, and parenting. Even when everything is going really well, like it often is, there can still be a lot to do.

Free Lamp Oil Lamp photo and picture

On Sunday, our church’s sermon was about King David and how he was a man after God’s own heart. The question posed was this What kind of heart does God look for? A great question, right?!

That could be a whole different blog post, but the point was to bring your heart to God and be open about what He shows you. I already do this, but it made me think, maybe I needed a reset. After all, our hearts are deceitful and not reliable; yet in quietness and trust I can find strength. I cannot do life in my own strength!

So, this week, I said enough was enough. On Monday, I woke up early and literally just sat with God at my dining room table. I left my phone on the charger, determined not to touch it at all. That was key! I sang a couple of old, simple worship songs and told Him all that was on my heart.

I had a small case of the ‘Mondays’ and was already projecting everything that could go wrong this week. It’s not like me, normally, but I had a very full day at work and was a little worried about getting everything done. I went straight to God, my Source of life and Creator.

God’s Presence in my every moment is vital. In John 15, Jesus said He is the Vine, and I am the branch—not the other way around! We read that we must abide in Him, for without Him, we can do nothing. Our purpose is found in Jesus alone.

As my Provider, He knows exactly what I need. He is my Protector and can shed His light on my situation. I wonder how often He is just waiting to be asked!

On Monday, it took a while to feel at rest—and, dare I say, excited—about my day. But you know what? Soon, I had total peace. Nothing about my day had changed yet, but I was content to let God move as He saw fit or just give me His strength to get it all done.

The whole day was great, even easy! It was indeed super busy, but I was peaceful and joyful the whole day. I could reconnect with Jesus easily and prayed for the Holy Spirit’s help from time to time. God did have one patient move to someone else’s schedule, but it was because the Veteran never confirmed our time slot.

Things at home also went well, and I was able to tell Lydia all that God had done for me. It was a good example for her and a reset for me. Moving forward, it is also a timely (daily) reminder for me not to neglect or take this most important thing for granted!

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Father God, thanks for taking such good care of me. Thanks for calling me to just sit with You and walk with You each day. Help me not forsake this most treasured gift. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: So… what has God been telling you this week? Do you have a quiet place to sit with God and pour out your heart? What can you do to make sure you meet with Him?

Tasks: Get up at least fifteen minutes early to spend time with God before you do anything else. Do not touch your phone or anything that would distract you from His presence. See Proverbs 4:23.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #480

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a good week overall. Mother’s Day was tough, but we made the best of it. We toasted my mom over Zoom and shared some funny stories about her.

Lydia had her last seventh-grade orchestra concert this week. I enjoyed the Vivaldi compilation of different seasons. I enjoyed seeing how much she has learned and grown!

We had a lot of heat at the beginning of the week, and mostly rainy and chilly later on. I didn’t mind either! 🙂

Work was pretty busy with patient care. We also learned of a third coworker’s pregnancy (surprise!), so we will have staggered maternity leaves likely starting next month through early spring next year. That should be interesting, though I am sure we will handle it just fine. In fact, we have a decent amount of experience with maternity coverage, since this makes baby #13 since I’ve been at the VA (<6 years)! 😀

On Thursday, we celebrated Dave’s life and memory. I took off work and did various things around the house. I read, took a nap, did a little organizing, and just relaxed. In the evening, we ate taco pizza with a friend. We reminisced about Dave and how we used to all hang out together. It made me laugh a bit!

I was blessed to receive cards, gifts, and flowers this week. My sister sent flowers for Mother’s Day, and my friend brought flowers on Thursday. Lydia, well, she used her own gift card to buy me flowers online for Mother’s Day. However, she forgot to add our house number, and so there was a delay. After the snafu was resolved, I got a new order delivered on Thursday. It turned out to be a good day!

Today, I was on call for work. I did get called in, but it wasn’t too difficult. Later, Lydia stopped by a high school graduation party. An old coworker and I shared an office for the first five or six years of my grief. We both helped each other with various challenges, so it was good to go and celebrate her daughter! I hope to get together for coffee soon!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Pivot

Twelve Years

This week, I am reflecting on God’s work in my life and how far He has brought me. Tomorrow, May 15th, marks twelve years since Dave went to be with Jesus. His death seems like yesterday, but also a lifetime ago. I have grown so much, but at the same time, I am still finding my way.
The picture below popped up in my memories last night. This was taken the day before Dave came home sick from work, starting our chaotic year (May 2012-May 2013). We both looked so calm, like we didn’t have a care in the world. How quickly that would change!
I’ll take the day off work tomorrow to give myself some space to feel and do whatever is needed. I don’t quite know what I will do yet, but I have some ideas. In the evening, Lydia and I will celebrate Dave’s life with a friend who knew him here. He loved tacos and pizza, so we are planning to get… taco pizza in his honor. 😉 I also have a pretty necklace to give Lydia, keeping up my tradition of making the day something to celebrate, not dread.
Naturally, it is a little bittersweet, but God has been so, so good to me. He has been my Rock and always sees to it that I have what I need. God has given me Lydia, and she is such a gift. He helps me parent her, sometimes in very creative ways! God has provided for me financially through work and other means, and He has given me a solid community of support, both near and far. Thank you!
This week is also tough as we celebrated the first Mother’s Day without my mom. Mom loved Dave as much as she loved my brothers. It brings me comfort knowing they are together again! I am inspired by how they never complained about their agonizing pain or struggle. In both cases, they sought Jesus right up until the end. Although their bodies gave out, they finished their races strong.
We can’t have great victories if we never have a battle, and we can’t celebrate a win if we don’t fight through something first. Life has many unexpected twists and turns, but we can always trust God. None of this is ever easy, but God is always with me. And, if you turn to Him, He will be with you, too!
Of course, we love and miss Dave and Mom so much. Grief is a long-term thing, but it’s hard to stay sad for long when I think about them in Heaven. They are safe, secure, and whole. More alive than ever before. And someday soon, all of God’s plans will fully come together. Those who belong to Jesus in Heaven and on Earth will be reunited. What joy that will be!
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Father in Heaven, You have been so, so good to me. Thanks for Your faithfulness and grace. May my life point others to You and bring You glory. Help me keep moving forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Questions: How do you celebrate the memory of those you love who have died? Have you accepted God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus? (Don’t delay, do it today!)
Tasks: Listen to this song, “Been So Good,” by Elevation Worship. Take some time to look back on how God has been so good to you. If interested, check out my book!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #479

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Pathway Path photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a good week! We usually Zoom on Sundays, and did this week… but on Tuesday, my nephew wanted to video chat, and so my sister called me and we were able to do so for a few minutes. I told him he can call to chat with me anytime!

Lydia had two chamber orchestra concerts this week. One was at a local nursing home, and I used a couple of hours of comp time to attend. Other performances were put on my the jazz band, show choir, and some other smaller ensembles. The next night was at the middle school, and we also watched the senior high play. I enjoyed all the songs!

This week, I noticed tulips and other spring flowers blooming. I also noticed the gorgeous dogwoods and crabapple trees all decked out in their glory! I’m grateful for all the beauty around us.

We were invited to have dinner with another family last night. I brought dessert and they prepared a delicious meal. We had a great time chatting, catching up, laughing, and playing games. It is always good to hang out with them!

Today, I woke up and decided to mow early. It is supposed to be hot this weekend, and I wanted to get ahead of the weather. It was cool and a little cloudy, just perfect. I also had time to do the trim work, put out the deck furniture, and complete a little raking before it sprinkled a few minutes later. The rest of the day was sunny and windy, so I am proud of myself for being on top of it! The rest of today, I’ve been mostly relaxing!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!