Day 121

I am grateful for the music of Jesus Culture.

There's worship music, and then there's the genre of worship music performed by groups like Jesus Culture. The melodies, lyrics, and leadership guide me into the sweet communion of His presence with joy, liberty, and praise on my lips and in my soul. They have some truly gifted worship leaders.

Bethel Live is their twin sister, their latest Loft Sessions being my current loop. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the groundbreaking work of Hillsong whose music changed the worship music scene altogether. Love these guys and their hearts. And their voices.

Thank You, Lord, for this truly wonder-full music.

Day 120

I am grateful for my hearing.

My mom's eardrums were blown out by a gigantic firecracker when a jilted airman threw it willy-nilly in anger and it landed right behind her when she was only 20. Four surgeries, one deaf ear, and a hearing aid later for the other one, she would bear this disability the rest of her life.

I witnessed the inconvenience and problems that arose from her deafness, her embarrassment when people spoke loudly instead of clearly. She encouraged us to always be grateful for good ears. And so I am.

Thank You, Lord, for being able to hear.

Day 119

I am grateful for Zeb.

Affectionately known as "my youngest son," he is Ryan's best friend. He has all the enthusiasm and energy of Richard Simmons, the golden heart of a prince, and the bearing of a young man who knows who he is and how to bear strength in humility.

When I first met him, he was about 14, and Ryan had dubbed him his pet freshman. He was like a large puppy on steroids, but dearly polite, and I sensed a measure of "unconfidence," which he did indeed outgrow, much to my joy.

He has grown exponentially on many levels since then, and on this, his 20th birthday, I celebrate the day he was born and the joy he brings merely by existing in my world. He makes me laugh, think, reflect, question, and want to be the very person God would have me to be. Happy birthday, Zebedee!

Thank You, Lord, for this treasure of a boy.

Day 118

I am grateful for old friendships.

There's nothing like a long-time friend. When we attended Fourth Memorial Church back in college, we did a lot of stuff with the same friends there. We've managed to stay in touch all these years, which is no minor feat nowadays. We've seen one another's marriages, children, graduations, anniversaries, vacations, birthdays, and illnesses. We have lost parents, pets, and hair, grown in girth, grace, and gratitude.

About two years ago we started getting together regularly, rotating homes. With older kids or empty nests, it's easier to fit into our schedules now. Funny how nothing has changed since those good ol' days--we still crack wise, eat well, catch up, and laugh a whole lot. When someone has known you your whole adult life, you can't be anything but real, and that is a major prize. We have had a great time for 30 years. May we enjoy another 30!

Thank You, Lord, for these dear friends. Truly we have no other like them.

Day 117

I am grateful for pie.

There's something completely satisfying about a good piece of pie. Comfort food. Fruit, cream, latticed, a la mode--it's all good.

Jylle wanted to make dinner the other night, and after a few minutes, called out to ask if chicken pot pie sounded good. It did, so she proceeded to make the BEST pot pie I have ever had. It was her maiden go at making pie crust, and using the recipe I've had for years, and again, made some of the best crust I have ever had. She was so happy!

Cyrus O'Leary's and Costco make some excellent storebought pie. French silk, Kahlua cream, and fresh strawberry are prizes of the former, with strawberry rhubarb and cheesecake stars of the latter (the only strawberry rhubarb pie I have ever liked).

Thank You, Lord, for this culinary luxury.

Day 116

I am grateful for a sense of humor.

Laughter is the best medicine. A cheerful heart does a body good. Laugh, and the world laughs with you. All truisms. I bless the soul who is able to eek a laugh out of me when I am cheerless and dreary. I love a good joke as much as the next girl, and I am grateful for the ministry of humor and tip my hat to this organization dedicated to the healing power of laughter.

Being able to laugh is an incredible gift. Being able to laugh at oneself is an altogether holy gift. I pray I will not grow too prideful to see that I am made in the image of God and that God has the most powerfully divine sense of humor.

Thank You, Lord, for the platypus, clean comedians, and clarifying moments to see humor in unexpected places.

Day 115

I am grateful for deer repellent.

Spring came late last year, so I planted later than usual. The deer are usually gone by the time the seedlings sprout, but their clocks were in time with nature, something I didn't realize. I was horrified when I saw my garden decimated. Sproutlings were uprooted and others so eaten down as to be unsalvageable. I had to start all over again.

I think deer are beautiful and love watching them. I just don't appreciate them annihilating all my hard-won efforts. I'm sure you understand.

I searched the Net for homemade deer repellent, and after trying a couple, found them to be a sure garden-saver. There are a hundred different recipes, and I find the one with water, egg, garlic, and dish soap to be the easiest, cheapest, and most effective. I also use it on my tulips, primroses, and sedum to my utter satisfaction. Take that, Bambi.


Thank You, Lord, for this most efficient concoction.