I confess that I have not had an attitude of gratitude in recent days. As is always the case, it is because I have been far too focused on self. Does it work that way with you? Whenever I become self-absorbed I begin to feel discontented, envious, discouraged.....and the last thing I feel like doing is giving thanks. The truth, of course, is that the only way to real peace, joy and contentment is through praise.

So I humbly ask for forgiveness and begin to give thanks for the many blessings that go unnoticed when I am too busy looking at myself but are so precious:

175 - Time spent with our adult children and precious grandchildren. It is such a joy to be with them. During the time we were helping our older son and his family move we were sitting around the supper table and sharing stories. The grands love for Papa to talk about his adventures growing up with four wild and crazy brothers. My husband started to tell a story about the time he was in the army. He began, "When I was in the service...." - and our six year old wide-eyed
grandson yelped "You were in the circus?" I thought the other kids would bust a gut
laughing. Oh how I treasure those moments.

176 - New homes for both of our sons and daughters-in-law. God provided above and beyond anything we had imagined.

177 - Answered prayer about Hurricane Gustav. It could have been so much worse.

178 - Resuming choir for the new season. The practice times are unbelievable. It is church!

179 - Beginning a new Bible Study. I have been "living" in the Psalms for the past couple of years, and that is what our leader chose for our new study. It is called "A Woman of Worship". I am excited.

180 - Reuniting with my small group in Bible Study. They are such special ladies, and it was so good to see them again. I am thankful the Lord has placed them in my life. There are a couple of new faces, and I am looking forward to getting to know them better. This little group has become a "safe" place for all of us to share the deepest needs of our hearts and know that they will be kept in confidence, that we will be prayed for and that we are loved.

181 - Looking out the window in the morning and seeing a beautiful rainbow in the sky. And we didn't even have any rain!

182 - My husband's wonderful sense of humor.

183 - A slight hint of "coolness" in the air this morning. I know we have another couple of months of hot weather, but it is the promise of cooler weather to come.

184 - The two doves who come regularly to the bird bath. I understand, as I watch them, why they have come to symbolize peace. They are so quiet and gentle - never hurried or testy as so many of the other birds are. They keep each other company as they take small sips of water, bathe a bit and then sun themselves in the grass. They are so sweet.

185 - Knitting - it makes me feel so relaxed and peaceful.

186 - Telephone calls from our daughter in France. They are so clear it feels like she is only a short distance away instead of thousands of miles. She will be home in less than three weeks!

187 - Listening to a beautiful lady play the piano like an angel. I want to play just a little bit like that some day.

188 - The beautiful "perfume" in the air as I ride my bike past a patch of wild flowers.

189 - Celebrating my Mom's 85th birthday. We are so blessed.

Blessings,