Gratitude Day 300

Fri., July 12, 2019

Psalm 143:6  – Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you.

Some days we just need, well, a little soul filling.

Thursday was one of those days for me.

This is Sauk County Fair week. Grandson Waylan exhibited beef cattle yesterday. We spent most of the day watching the beef show. Waylan loves the fair … just like I did as a kid. And he loved showing animals.

I grew up showing animals … just not beef animals. Our family showed dairy and my sisters and I showed sheep. Preparing to exhibit projects at the fair, no matter what the project, teaches great life skills. Kids have the opportunity to learn, discover new things, commit to something, finish something they started, and experience the fact that not everyone can win first place all the time. I fondly remember days of exhibiting at fairs. As we ate lunch with Rick’s sister, Linda and Rick recalled their 4-H fair days and how this was the highlight of their summer.

Hubby Rick and I took in most of the other exhibits. Rick’s favorite barn? The chickens, rabbits and ducks. By then, grandson Dylan was tagging along with us. When Dylan was invited to “pet” a pig, of course, he convinced Grandpa to join the fun.

Once home, Rick and I both had a few things we wanted to do. After Rick finished mowing lawn, he started a fire in the back yard and sat on one of the swings. Yes, there were other things I could have done. But sometimes, I need to take my own advice. Let those things wait. Take in the moment to be present with my spouse. Watch the fireflies come out at dusk. And drink a glass of peach iced tea.

And so, I did.

Best time of the week.

Yes, there are lots of other things we COULD have done today. We COULD have scurried home after the beef show, and I COULD have done some work.

But we DIDN’T.

Instead, I had wonderful conversations with people I haven’t seen at the fair for a long time. We looked at every pig and silkie chicken and ate food from the 4-H food stand.

Once home, I COULD have tried to do a whole bunch on things … but I DIDN’T. I sat with my husband and watched the fire and fireflies and remembered how truly blessed we are.

If your soul is feeling a little tired or dry or exhausted, slow down. Take a few minutes or hours or a whole day and feed it with things that remind you how truly blessed you are. No matter what is happening in your life today, there remain thousands of things to be thankful for. I pray you stop long enough to count a few hundred of them.

For days that allow for my soul to feel full, I am grateful.

Holy God – too often we fly through days, not counting the minutes and seconds and only focusing on crossing off as many to-do items on our lists as possible. Or we think we “must” do something to stay ahead of the game. Forgive us for the times when we are so busy living our lives that we fail to see what is most important in our lives. Thank you for a day filled with quiet, strong reminders of how blessed I am. Thank you for truly filling my soul. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

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