Pandora

I enjoy different styles of Music.  As such, I’ll sometimes get a bug to listen to a little something different.  The easiest way for me to do this?  Pandora.  Type in a genre or artist, and check it out.

Of course, Pandora’s great for normal listening, too.  I have a fair-sized playlist, but it’s still nice to hear other songs and artists.  In fact, because of my varied tastes, not every song in the playlist of music I own is really work-appropriate.  Some are just too hard of a mix for background music.  My Pandora station, however, gives me variety of the same sort... (figure that one out).

I have enjoyed having my Pandora stations for background music at work.  Sometimes a song will catch me and I’ll join the artist in worship of the Lord.  Or, if the song isn’t strictly christian, sometimes I’ll simply lift my voice along with the song as worship to Him.  He created the sounds and scales, chords and harmonies that comprise music; it’s only fitting that I should worship Him with it.  I am thankful that I get to listen to and participate in more music through Pandora.

Plates

As I ate my food at the dinner table tonight it occurred to me... I’m really glad that I don’t have to eat my food directly off of the table.  That would just be nasty.  I remember backpacking in the mountains with my dad, and one of the essentials we brought was a plate.  Otherwise, since the cooked food would be too hot to hold, you’d have to eat it off of a rock or something.

It’s interesting to note what “the essentials” are; I’ve been a little surprised at how much I look over some of the everyday items.  When you start to add them all up, it’s surprising how many things we use every day.  Plates, cups, utensils, pots and pans, Toilet Paper, clothes, Water, etc.  God orchestrated each one of those things into our lives.  

His provision doesn’t stop there, though.  He gives us more than the essential things that we need to get by.  He gives us Laptops and Cars and lights and mail and movies and Restaurants... so many different things.  His goodness and generosity are beyond compare... and that’s my God.  He isn’t just the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob or Israel.  He’s my God.  He’s my Father, who Loves me more than I could ever imagine.

Hamburgers

I’m a picky eater.  I’m the one who will ask for a patty melt on wheat bread with cheddar cheese and (often) no onions.  The secret to feeding me is to keep it simple - the more gourmet you make a meal, the less I will probably like it.  Plain Jane.

Hamburgers are my go-to when eating out... plain with mayonnaise and cheese, of course.  Every once in awhile, though, I come across a hamburger that isn’t just something that I like... it’s something that I love.  I encountered one such hamburger tonight when my husband took me out for a surprise Date Night (score!) to a Restaurant called Cool Hand Luke’s.

This burger is called “The Wrangler.”  It’s a 1/2 lb burger with thin onion rings, barbecue sauce, and bacon.  I couldn’t go without changing it, of course, so I ordered it without the barbecue sauce and with mayonnaise on the side.  That was a good burger.  I think the onion rings had a slight hint of barbecue sauce, which was just perfect for me.

I am thankful that God integrated a liking for hamburgers into my taste buds, but I am also thankful that He provided a hamburger that I truly enjoyed.  It’s amazing the ways in which He ministers to us from day to day.

Homemade Ice Cream

I was quite tired yesterday after a weekend of late (and fun) nights and helping friends to move and unpack.  I met up with my husband at my in-laws’ house after the unpacking to discover that a delicious tri-tip meal awaited.  This was wonderful news.  What news could be better?  Chocolate.  Homemade.  Ice cream.

Oh yes.  Delicious sweet and creamy goodness.  I tell you the Lord spoils me sometimes.  That chocolate homemade ice cream hit the spot amid my tired bones.  I remember trying to eat slowly to savor it, but struggling to keep my hand from shoveling it in; it tasted so good!

I am thankful that my mom-in-law made chocolate ice cream for her family to enjoy, and for how God used her ice cream to minister to me.  

LAN Parties

My husband and I got together with a group of friends at one of their homes for a LAN party of League of Legends last night.  (LAN stands for Local Area Network, and means that we brought our computers to play over a home’s network with each other.  League of Legends is a free-to-play online game.)  We stayed up hours past our bedtime, but the lack of sleep was worth it.  We had so much fun hanging out with one another (and, of course, beating on each other in game).

The last time I was able to participate in a LAN party was a few days before I gave birth to Our Son.  The fact that I hosted this party at Our House so close to my due date might be indicative of how much I enjoy LAN parties.  I suppose you could compare it to playing volleyball (or some such sport) with friends.  We all share an interest in the same game, and enjoy playing with one another.

God always seems to glorify Himself through humans’ imaginations and technological progress to accomplish His will.  I see LAN parties as serving the purpose of connecting with friends and learning that gaming isn’t fun just because you win - it’s fun because you’re spending time with your friends.  Keeping those priorities in order (ie relationship is more important than winning) can be part of the learning process of becoming more like Christ.  I am thankful that God uses even LAN parties as an opportunity to practice to be more like Him.

Weekly Impressions - Faith, Hope, and Love

Faith, Hope, and Love


Quickened heartbeat, fluttering thought,
Contracting muscles, focus self-sought;
How quickly I wander, how quickly I stray -
His magnificent glory no longer display.

Brooding desires or sudden fears,
Wishing, imagining; summoning tears.
A myriad of ways to think of myself
Yet each commands and bleeds my health.

It is not the wishes, the dreams, the desires,
That deliver my body and soul from day’s fires,
But hope from and faith in and love through God’s Son.
Through His blood and His power the victories won.

Remember, my soul and my mind and my heart,
Remember His ways and His blessings impart.

Replace the anger with empathy
through His love.
Replace the depression with hope
through His  love.
Replace the anxiety with faith
through His love.
Replace the control with humility
through His love.

“...Now faith, hope, love, abide these three;
But the greatest of these is love.”*

*1 Corinthians 13:13

Anticipation

I have found myself anticipating things more lately.  Not in that anxious “Oh no, I’d better have everything in order,” kind of way, but more just enjoying the excitement of looking forward to something coming up. 

For awhile, I was a bit afraid to look forward to things, because it can be a trap for me; I start to place my hope in.  I am trying to find the balance between looking forward to something, but not placing my hope in it, so that if the event that I’m looking forward to doesn’t come to pass, I don’t become bitter and angry.

I think I start to cross that line when I look to the upcoming event as a way for me to obtain something - usually Refreshment.  Then, if the event doesn’t come to pass, or - more likely - if I don’t receive the expected refreshment from the event, I grumble and think about how much I need rest.  

The truth is, I have placed my hope in the event rather than in God.  God may prevent or allow an event not to occur, which means that I don’t need the event.  If I feel as though I need rest, and God doesn’t grant it, that means that I “simply” need to rely upon God’s strength to see me through the moment... then the hour... then the day... the week... month... and throughout the year.  God’s grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

I am thankful that God created the feeling of anticipation for us to enjoy.  I pray that He continues to guide me and check me, that I’m not letting my hope stray from Him within my anticipation.  I look forward to His Teaching, and to my walk with Him.

Landscape

We don’t usually drive home until after dark.  The past few weeks of summer sun, however, have meant more light on the way home.  Today, I am struck by God’s landscape as we drive across a twenty minute stretch of it.  The green of winter and spring has left the hills, and now their curves are clothed in brown.  Green trees, vineyards, and the occasional farm give the brown a beautiful contrast, especially in the golden light of the setting sun.

God’s Creation is stunning.  Even though I prefer the landscape of the forest, I have found beauty in each of His landscapes - even the desert.  There’s just something about God’s architecture that is absolutely striking.  I am thankful that God blesses us with His beautiful landscape, and I pray that it might always remind me of my awesome God.

Tape Measures

My Husband took a tape measure and started poking Our Son with it.  Our little man thought it was the coolest funniest thing ever.  It’s fun to watch that little one-and-a-half-year-old discover new things.  He giggled and laughed and chased and fled, and thoroughly enjoyed himself with a simple little tape measure.

I’m so glad that my husband has the kind of imagination to come up with ways for our son to play and discover.  My imagination just doesn’t work that way, and it’s a lot of fun watching the two of them play.  So, while I am thankful for the useful tool that a tape measure is, tonight I am more thankful for the fun toy that a tape measure can be.  I pray that God continues to bless me with a view of the world through my son’s eyes.

Paint

There’s a particular patch of ceiling in the dining room of my home that has been bare drywall and partially mudded for approximately four years.  We recently finished the mud and texture and are now on to the paint.  While it hasn’t been a large nuisance (it is the ceiling), it has been a minor one.  Now, I enjoy looking up at it - even after just the primer - and thinking, that looks so much better!  I am thankful for paint, and the clean feeling that a fresh coat can produce.  

We also plan to paint our cupboard doors soon.  This will not only look nicer, but also protect the bare wood of the door from the water that often gets splashed around when a certain little boy helps out (and sometimes even when he doesn’t).  So I am also thankful for the protection that paint can provide.

I am glad that God gave us paint, whether for art to stir us, color to freshen, or practical protection for our things.  I love how God takes care of us - even if He Answers a Prayer for certain items on the house to be finished now with "Wait."  If the answer is to wait, then I must have patience, because the time will come.

Mornings Without Traffic

My family has two highways to drive on our way to church.  One of them is under construction to become a four-lane highway instead of just one lane both directions, for which I’m thankful.  I have generally found it unsafe to drive this highway at its posted speed limit.  If I don’t drive at least five miles per hour over, I will have people passing me over a double yellow line (and sometimes even then).

I was grateful this morning to find that throughout the entire section of this highway that is a single lane both directions, I had absolutely no traffic on my side.  It made for a very relaxing morning of dialogue with God about what speed I should be driving.  I have certainly gotten used to (at least) five miles per hour above the speed limit, but I find that God will sometimes tap me on the shoulder about it.  On a morning such as this, it was easy to drive the speed limit without any impatient people behind me.  It was easy to obey.

Each time I encounter this, I wonder about whether or not I should always (aside from dire emergencies) drive the speed limit - even if I don’t feel safe in doing so.  I still haven’t come to a conclusion on that, but I am reminded that following God isn’t always safe.  I can understand a measure of wisdom in choosing one’s battles... but if my actions are dishonoring to God, then isn’t it a battle I should fight?  Or is it dishonoring to God to put aside my government’s law, if I do so out of concern for safety?

I thank God that He uses times like mornings without traffic to make me consider such questions.  Even if I don’t have the answers, at least I am seeking God in my life, and asking Him for what is right.  What are your thoughts on the subject?

Weekly Impressions - Suffering and God's Care

God gave me an epiphany this last week.  I have always struggled with the seeming dichotomy of God’s promise to care for His children, and His allowance of evil (for instance, torture, or even trials in general) in His children’s lives.  I knew that I didn’t understand, and was alright with that because I could take it on faith.  Though I didn’t understand the specifics, I could apply Romans 8:28-29 and know that, no matter how bad the situation or circumstance seemed, God would use it to make His children more like Christ.  

It struck me the other night... why should I think that, as God’s child, I had the “right” to suffer any less than His only begotten (as opposed to adopted) Son?  That hit me like a ton of bricks.  Jesus received God’s care, too, and He suffered more than torture.  Jesus’ suffering wasn’t so that He might be conformed to the image of Christ... He was Christ.  Jesus suffered and died (and more importantly, rose again) for the good of the rest of God’s children, “...that we would be called children of God[.]” (1 John 3:1b)

Jesus’ whole life on earth - including His suffering, His death, and His resurrection - was the act of God lavishing His love upon us (mentioned earlier in the verse 1 John 3:1).  Just to think on that is a lot to consider.  Yet I must go further to close the loop and say that therefore... how can anything that I suffer not be used by God not only for my good - but perhaps especially for the good of His other children?  Now this is not to say that I have the impact or the perfection or the ability to save as Christ did (not by a long shot!), but if God’s love required His begotten Son to suffer... then wouldn’t it be prideful of me to think that His love would mean otherwise for me?

The real question is:  have I given all of myself to Jesus so that I am willing to suffer for the sake of others?  Am I willing to be in pain for the Lord?  Not every situation or circumstance is for me alone.  Christ may not have needed to be taught through trials how to be perfect, but I do.  Even if God may have taught me the same lesson through a previous circumstance, I could still use the reminder.  God does teach me through my circumstances, but He uses them for others, as well.

So what is it to be cared for - to be loved - by God?  It is to be shaped into the image of Christ, and to be used for others.  On this sinful earth, that will mean trials.  And He will be with you every step of the way.  Each day, He orchestrates this world a little closer to the return of His Son and the destruction of sin.  To live in Christ is Victory.

Adjustable Screens

We recently switched which car we’re using to carpool back and forth from home, and the chair space is a bit different.  This means that the angle of my legs is different, which means that the angle of my laptop is different.  Fortunately, due to adjustable screens, this isn’t a problem.

It’s a small thing, but I noticed.  The easier my tools make blogging, the easier it is to stay disciplined to blog.  So I am thankful that God orchestrated adjustable screens on.  It is astounding to consider the magnitude and scope of what God orchestrates, and adjustable screens are among them.

What helps you to stay disciplined?

The Sun

It struck me today that I haven’t been thankful for the sun yet.  I think the sun might very well have been one of the first things on a child’s list.  Sometimes it is good to see things through a child’s eyes.

While I don’t necessarily fully appreciate the sun on a hot day, I am definitely thankful that God created it and has put it to good use.  I rather enjoy how He uses it:  the warmth (and correct temperature on earth); to grow gardens and plants; to mark the time; to give us light; and so many more.  It is a testament of His constant provision.  

I pray that He might use me as well as He uses the sun.

Restaurants

My discipleship group leader took us two “disciples” out for dinner last night.  It was very Generous of her and a lot of fun.  It was a sort of girls’ night out and we left our husbands and kids at home.  She even let me get the most expensive thing on the menu - the rib eye steak.  (Talk about "food that restores" - yum!)

Restaurants are such a great place to be able to get away and spend time with people.  Who doesn’t want to eat?  Or to have to cook?  You go to a restaurant with a great atmosphere and you’re set!  I am thankful that God worked restaurants into our culture as a great place to fellowship with very little pressure.

Where do you enjoy hanging out with friends?

Shade

I don’t spend a lot of time outside, which is one of the reasons that I take my walk around the lake during lunch.  I enjoy feeling the sun on my skin, and I rather need the vitamin D.  On hot days like today, however, I am also thankful for the cool of the shade.

Walking under the patches of shade from the trees along the path reminded me a bit of my post on Trees, where I mentioned that trees often need to be pruned to be useful.  I am glad that (through whatever means) God cared for the trees around the lake in order to provide shade on hot days for those that walk beneath them.  I pray that I remember to thank Him for my pruning, and that I might provide His “shade” for others.

Our Tercel

We have a ’96 Toyota Tercel with over 260,000 miles on it, and it’s still running in good condition.  It has been a wonderful car for us.  We purchased it in ’09 for $1,900.00, have hardly had to have any work done on it since, and it gets 40mpg.  It was our only car for several months, and it has been the most reliable and inexpensive car (upfront and in maintenance) we’ve owned.

The biggest problem I’ve had with it is that there isn’t an alarm for leaving the lights on, nor for leaving the keys in the ignition when you open the door.  These two alarms would have saved me a fair amount of trouble, forgetful as I am.  Yet I can see so much of God’s provision in this trusty, reliable, inexpensive car.  I am thankful that God gave it to us, and pray that He continues to bless us through it.

Weekly Impressions - Hungry

“Hungry I come to You

For I know You satisfy.

I am empty but I know Your love

Does not run dry.

“So I wait for You

So I wait for You.

“I’m falling on my knees

Offering all of me.

Jesus you’re all this heart is living for.

“Broken I run to You

For Your arms are open wide.

I am weary but I know Your touch

Restores my life.

“So I wait for You

So I wait for You.

“I’m falling on my knees

Offering all of me.

Jesus you’re all this heart is living for.”

-Lyrics from the song Hungry by Joy Williams (I think - there were several artists listed)

This song is hitting home tonight.  As I struggle with discipline to be intentional in my walk with the Lord, I find myself pulled between doing fun things - in which I can bring Him glory in my enjoyment - or spending more time in specific focus on Him.  The moment I choose time with Him, the more I find myself in the heart of this song.

“Hungry I come to You for I know You satisfy.”

I find myself hungering for something to fill me, and the second I step into His presence, I can feel that need being met, which shows me just how empty I am:

“I am empty but I know Your love does not run dry.”

No matter how empty I am or feel, His infinite and abounding love is there for me to draw upon.  “So I [will] wait for You.”  I will give the Lord control.  To do so,

“I’m falling on my knees, offering all of me.  Jesus You’re all this heart is living for.”

That last line catches me every time.  Am I living only for Jesus?  Hardly ever.  Yet this moves me to Confess my sin to God and to seek His help in order to achieve that whole-hearted worship.  I choose Jesus this moment.

“Broken [in the knowledge of my sin] I run to You for Your arms are open wide.  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

“I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life.”  I am hungry for Your touch to cleanse my sin and restore my soul.  And “so I wait for You” and cede control to You, my King, my Redeemer, my comfort and shelter, and my Lion of the Tribe of Judah who goes before me.  “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

How can I fear?  Now I hunger for You all the more.

Enya

I love celtic music, and my first introduction to it (though I think she’s technically considered new age) was Enya.  Her music is soothing and yet stirring at the same time.  Relaxing and energizing - refreshing, perhaps.  I am thankful that God gave her the talents and creativity that He did.  After a long day, her music makes it easy to just sit down and relax for a few minutes.  I enjoy watching how God works through Music.

God's Omnipotence

I struggled a bit today with anxiety in regard to some decisions that my husband would be making for our family.  I didn’t think that he was taking my thoughts into consideration, and I found myself in a spiral of worrying over things that I couldn’t control.  

I tried to take my thoughts captive, and to replace them with being thankful for things.  It helped to stop the spiral while I was listing things that I was thankful for, but I reverted right back.  I prayed my little Prayer of Thanksgiving, making sure to Confess my sin, and tried to focus on the fact that God was in control, but still found myself struggling.  

Then I remembered something I had written in my Weekly Impressions - Submission.  If I am anxious about a decision my husband has made, then I am anxious about where God has put me.  Putting it in those terms helped.  How could I be anxious about where God has put me?  He’s all-powerful!  He is in charge of my situation, He knows everything that’s going on and how to deal with it, He commands all of Creation - He commands my very breath!  Of course I can trust a God like that.

So I had to bring it back to my situation.  That means that God is in charge of the decision(s) that my husband makes.  Even though my husband is fallible, my God is not.  No matter what the outcome of those decisions, God will use it for good.

I am thankful that God used the knowledge of His omnipotence to win my battle today against anxiety.  I am thankful that He is omnipotent - or we wouldn’t be able to trust Him.  May you be able to rest in the knowledge of His omnipotence.

Pain

One of my goals in starting this discipline of thankful things was to be able to be thankful for the things that I didn’t like, too.  I knew that God called me to it (He put that on my heart when I read Corrie ten Boom’s The Hiding Place), I just wasn’t there yet.  God honors discipline and faithfulness; today, I caught a glimpse of that kind of thankfulness.  

I am thankful for the pain that God allows in my life - because He allows it.  The very fact that He allowed it means that He is using it to conform me to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:29)

It brings to mind a scene from the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.  Robin Hood and his men came upon Friar Tuck and asked for a “donation” of his beer.  Since his beer was something he held very dear, he refused and tried to escape with it in his cart.  In return, Robin Hood and his men harnessed him to the cart in place of his horse and made Tuck haul it back to their camp.  After pulling the cart that whole way, Friar Tuck said, “Thank You, Lord, for teaching me humility.”

It’s a bit of a comedic moment, but it’s so exemplary of the attitude that we should have.  Tuck knew what God was teaching him, and there are definitely times that God shows us.  There are also times when He doesn’t.  I don’t always know how God is using my pain - whatever type of pain that may be - but I do know that it is always for the good of His children (including me) and His glory. (Romans 8:28)

To live in Christ is Victory.

The Smell After Rain

I love stepping outside, oblivious and lost in thought, to be surprisingly and pleasantly confronted by the smell after the rain.  It catches my attention, much like walking in the door to smell fresh bread in the oven.  While inside, I don’t usually notice the weather, so, even if I might have known of the presence of rain, I am not brought to think about it until suddenly confronted with that delicious smell.

I love the Rain.  The very thought of rain can bring a smile to my face, and its presence often stirs a childlike delight.  Smelling the fresh, clean, and vibrant scent that it leaves often puts a twinkle in my eyes, along with the mild hope that it hasn’t left for the day, but will return shortly.  

I am thankful for the smell after rain, that God has fashioned me to delight in it.  Not only does my delight in His Creation bring Him glory, but bringing Him glory gives me fulfillment in Christ.

Road Reflectors

At night, I can see the road lines by the light of my car’s headlights, but I couldn’t see the lines nearly as easily if it weren’t for the little reflectors placed periodically along those lines.  I think I am most thankful for road reflectors in the rain.  If it’s daytime and raining, the lines tend to disappear under the sheen of reflective water on the road.  The reflectors, however, cast back a focused point of light that is easy to see.

It is the strangest feeling to be driving along and then not to be able to see the road lines and simply hope that you’re in the right place.  It’s a bit scary.  I am thankful that God created light to reflect on certain things, and that we can thus use light to more clearly (and safely) mark our roads.  God's foresight in creation is amazing to consider.

Weekly Impressions - Self Discipline

I have been trying to exercise a bit more self-discipline in life lately.  I have general plans (a walk during lunch, somewhat smaller portions and fewer sweets, a longer quiet time in the Word at night, taking my thoughts captive throughout the day), but haven’t been very good about sticking to them.  So I am working on being more intentional and have stepped up my self-discipline a notch to stick to them more frequently.

It is a wonder what God does when you are faithful to His will.  I haven’t been at this “heightened” level very long in each of the aforementioned areas (which honestly isn’t a whole lot more discipline), but I can feel the difference nonetheless.  I have only been walking briskly when I exercise on my lunch break, but God has worked through that so that I physically feel confident enough to run for a short time without nasty consequences.  My meal portions have been only slightly less, but my stomach hasn’t really felt unnecessarily bloated.  I rarely miss a night in His Word, but it’s usually just a chapter without much time for prayer and Meditation, yet God has enabled me to focus more on what I read in the Word and to hold onto its message longer.   When I remember to take “...every thought captive to the obedience of Christ...” (2 Corinthians 10:5) during the day, I see a tremendous rise in my mood.

So if this is what God does when I’m only putting a little more effort in... what amazing things will He do when I truly give Him all of myself?  Self-discipline isn’t the easiest thing to go “all in” on cold turkey, and I think that’s why God honors that little bit more faithfulness that we give to Him with even more of His goodness.  If I couldn’t see any good results of my improved self-discipline, I think I would lose the fire to do better.

Some of my lack is simply where I am in my walk with the Lord in Progressive Sanctification as He molds me to be more like Him.  That’s alright, because His “‘...grace is sufficient for [me], for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)  Yet, I also need to ask myself if I’m truly “all in,” giving Him my best.  Do I let myself laze about a bit, or do I “...discipline my body and make it my slave, so that... I myself will not be disqualified[?]” (1 Corinthians 9:27)

I often forget that, as a follower of Christ, I am daily in a pitched battle.  One cannot win a battle with half-hearted effort.  It takes self-discipline, and God has given us His strength to win each battle: “...but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

I am thankful for the goodness He has shown me in my little bit of faithfulness, that it has spurred me to want to be more self-disciplined, so that I can be of better use to Him.  That is the joy of following God.  

Evaluations

I just had my annual evaluation at work today, and was glad that it was quite favorable.  One thing I appreciate about my coworkers and bosses is that they show their appreciation for the work their employees do, but they also look for ways that we can improve.  They - as I - hold the idea that there is always room for improvement.  They don’t tell us in an accusatory or critical manner; it’s constructive criticism, with the intent of actually helping us.  This, too, is much appreciated.

I am thankful for the added perspective that an evaluation can bring, for both the praise and the criticism.  It is also helpful in life to evaluate myself.  Am I doing my best?  Where can I improve?  Or... am I spending as much time as I need to in the Word?  Such questions are good to revisit every so often.  While I have improved in the amount of time I am spending in the Word, I’m still not where I’d like to be, and I can be working on that.

Thank You, Lord, for evaluations and the resulting improvement.

Waving

My little man waved goodbye to me this morning unprompted for the first time.  That was pretty special.  He even walked into his grandma’s house earlier, waving, “Hi,” unprompted (instead of asking for a Movie).  Unfortunately, she wasn’t actually there to see it.  Maybe he’ll repeat the feat in a couple days.

There are all sorts of different waves.  I thanked a driver for letting me onto the freeway this morning with a wave - and he waved back (a rare and welcome occurrence).  We can wave people over to us, wave people to move ahead of us... there are many uses of the gesture.

I am thankful for the communication of the wave - a brief expressive gesture that can brighten the day.  I have been seeing more of God around me lately, and I have a hard time not smiling.  Each little thing - like a wave - reminds me again and again of God’s presence and sovereignty.  God makes me smile.

Laundry Baskets

There isn’t much distance between my washer and dryer and my bed (which is my folding surface), but without a laundry basket, something will inevitably drop from my arms as I carry the clean clothes to my bed.  Laundry baskets are one of those rather cheap things that just make life easier; more than worth it!

As a child, I enjoyed hiding under my mom’s laundry basket.  The older I got, the more it was a game to see if I could still fit.  Now, with my year-and-a-half old son, I have a new and different way to play with a laundry basket.  My mother’s was wicker, but mine is plastic, making it slide easily on the carpet; Little Man enjoys roller coaster rides in our laundry basket.

I am very thankful for my cheap plastic laundry basket.  Not only did God provide that small amount of money to get it, but He orchestrated the cheap price, so that it didn’t take as much of His money to purchase it.  Our whole family enjoys and appreciates its use.  

What simple - perhaps cheap - thing has He given you?