Joy

Today, I feel joy--pure, unadulterated joy. It isn't for myself but for someone I love, and it comes from seeing God moving in her life. So today, I am grateful for joy.

Credit: George Raihala

What joy are you feeling today?

Deer

George and I now spend an inordinant amount of time during dinner glancing out the window to see if the deer are visiting again.

What wildlife do you enjoy seeing out your windows? Squirrels and birds count!

Warranty

Well, our fireplace died again. So I am grateful that we have the warranty to call Repairman Jack back until the problem is solved.

I once read some wonderful advice on warranties. When you're offered the option to buy an extended warranty, ask yourself if the item is new technology (which is prone to problems) or established technology (which isn't). When we bought a very expensive, new technology television years ago, I sprang for the extended warranty, which paid for itself three times over with the one repair the television needed.

Our new house came with a warranty from the builder that includes the fireplace, so we're good with Repairman Jack. But should you buy extended warranties for your car, your refrigerator, or your cell phone?

We haven't for the cars or fridge, but we did for the cell phones, mainly because the warranty included coverage for damage from dropping them or accidentally running them through the washing machine.

What are your feelings about warranties? When do they make sense to you as a blessing and when are they an unnecessary expense?

Repair People

Our gas fireplace was broken. Now it is not. Thank you, Repairman Jack.

I feel gratitude for the competent people of the world, those who fix what is broken, those who work with their hands and heads to solve other people's problems.

We'd be mighty cold without them.

What have you had repaired lately?

Clean Floors

Oh, neglected floors,
You are now clean and shiny
Ready for more fur.

My floors were shockingly neglected during September, largely because I was sick for five weeks. In fact, my whole house was shockingly neglected. But today, I mopped the wood floors. What a blessing to have that job finished!

What thing cleaned is a blessing to you?

Commitment Cancelled

Today, I received an email cancelling a volunteer commitment for tomorrow. While I enjoy this commitment enormously, I also feel about three weeks behind schedule because of being sick for so long. Having an entire day to focus on catching up is such a blessing!

What is your blessing from today?

Thankful for Encouragement

People encourage me in so many ways. They comment on my blogs, they send me emails, they call me, they meet with me, they pray for me, they encourage me to write and craft and participate fully in life.

The root of encourage is courage. It takes courage to face each day's trials and uncertainties, challenges and obstacles. For some of us, courage comes fairly easily in most situations as we bounce through life like Tigger, while others feel like Piglet, timid and fearful most of the time.

All of us are more courageous in some areas of our lives than in others.

Not one of us can make it through life without encouragement.

Today, my eye doctor encouraged me in Stephen Ministry, and I encouraged her in teaching her adult Sunday school class. Neither of us can or is called to participate in each other's ministry, but we are so grateful for the way each adds to the life of our church.

How wonderful encouragement is!

In what ways do you feel encouraged this day? How can you encourage someone else?

Mourning Doves and Healing

Our dove flew free on Friday. He hopped along the ground and gave me a photo op, then flew off for the safety of the trees.

What a blessing to be able to give an injured creature--even something as common as a dove--time to heal. I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Talk about transforming common days.