Gratitude Day 397
Sat., Feb. 1, 2020
Hebrews 11:4: It was by faith that Abel obeyed God and brought an offering that pleased God more than Cain’s offering did. God accepted Abel and proved it by accepting his gift; and though Abel is long dead, we can still learn lessons from him about trusting God.
February 1st! The first month of 2020 is gone …
Today, I look back and think about the lessons I learned (or really, re-learned) this first month of 2020.
Sabbath is good. Sabbath with family is important.
![](https://simplewordsoffaith.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/20200119-201916.jpg?w=640)
Hubby Rick and I had the unique opportunity to join my sisters, some cousins and other extended family on a Caribbean cruise. This is the first time we had done something like this, and it was definitely a success! Growing up, my siblings and I didn’t spend lots of time with cousins. Only two cousins lived rather close (2 hours) and they moved when I was still in elementary school.
Now as adults, we have discovered it’s fun to do things together! The lesson here: make time for relationships (new or rediscovered) as an adult. Yes, we have a common heritage. Yes, our personal experiences of that heritage may be different. Celebrate and enjoy where you are today and appreciate your heritage!
Life’s rhythms change. Find a new way to enjoy and celebrate each day. Back from our Sabbath, I found it a little difficult to jump back into life. So, I thought about how I could embody each day in a slightly new and different way. While I have been on social media for years, I have always been slightly protective of what I post. Recently, I started posted a picture a day which reflects some little area of my life. These pictures are more of me than anyone else. They are a way for me to celebrate the most normal parts of my day and give thanks to God for these ridiculously “normal” parts of my life.
![](https://simplewordsoffaith.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/massage.jpg?w=768)
So, follow me on Instagram (diannedeatonvielhuber) or Facebook (Dianne Deaton Vielhuber – make sure it’s my personal account and NOT my work admin account) if you want to see where I see God in my daily, ordinary, every-day life. I pray these photos encourage others to discover God as well!
If reading the Bible has become stale for you, try a different translation. I have used the NIV translation of the Bible for devotions for YEARS. Back from our Sabbath, I picked the The Message one day. It’s not that The Message was new for me. I’ve used it historically at various times. This version was sitting on my bookshelf.
![](https://simplewordsoffaith.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/the-message.jpg?w=768)
What I discovered is the biblical stories came alive in a slightly different way for me because, well, the words ARE DIFFERENT! It’s brought forth a new freshness as I read scripture. Sometimes, just a slight shift CAN make a difference!
One more for the road. I’ll let the words speak for themselves.
![](https://simplewordsoffaith.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/prayer.jpg?w=768)
We are never too old to discover new lessons in our lives. Where has God been speaking to you? Where have you made a slight shift and discovered something different about yourself?
Lessons are SO IMPORTANT. Realizing them in our lives is also important.
Have a great weekend!
For new or re-discovered lessons in my daily life, I am grateful.
Blessings –
Dianne
Holy God – thank you for continuing to be a living God in my life. A living God that is active and present and challenging me to discover new things about myself. Or simply relearn things that I might have forgotten or pushed aside. May I celebrate regular lessons in my life. Amen.
If you have enjoyed this blog, please pass it along to someone else who will also enjoy it.
Comments are closed