Cultivating Gratitude!

Today's thought is simple:  Gratitude is happy to lead us to all the joy we can handle, but gratitude does not cultivate itself--it's desperately and solely up to us!

Yesterday in worship (6/14), I spent some time acknowledging many of the things in our world that could potentially send our hope into a runaway downward spiral.  The world's not sitting idly by while we go about in search of our personal satisfaction.  Our world is changing by the heartbeat.  

The counterbalance to change that often feels bewildering is gratitude.  It causes us to recall and acknowledge the things that allow change to be okay.  Often in my personal life, I don't take the time to be thankful, only to watch the blessings and adventures gently wash away with the ensuring rain.  

But today, as more rain comes, as United Methodist Pastors return from the Great Plains Annual Conference meeting, and as the rhythm of lives and ministries plow forward, I'm choosing to start the day and week off right!  

These are the new things I'm thankful for today!  I challenge you to make your own list this week, take your own pictures, and share with at least one person.

Sarah started her second week at Handprints and Footsteps this morning as a full-time Pediatric Physical Therapist, which means she not only graduated, but she passed her board and jurisprudence exams and is gainfully employed (all in one shot, all on the first time)!  It's nothing short of a miracle to see how much God has blessed her in her life and calling.  Now all we have to do is figure out this new rhythm of being in the same life-phase!

Anthony Belling, a former Horizons youth and recent graduate of New Tribes Bible Institute, joined Horizons for a 7-month internship last week!  He'll be working with college-aged and first career ministries.  We are already blown away by his energy, passion, and faith.

Ali Belling, also a former Horizons youth and married to Anthony, joined Horizons as our interim volunteer missions coordinator.  Ali has offered to help Horizons move forward in a more organized way to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  We're looking forward to Ali's leadership and heart for serving others!

In an effort to make the best use of the resources God has provided us, Sarah and I felt compelled to welcome Ali and Anthony into our home to live with us while they spend time at Horizons.  Although their ultimate trajectory takes them back to India to live as missionaries, they are with us now, and the joy of living in community and share our house has been huge! 

Sarah and I were asked if we'd be interested in cultivating a plot in the mission garden to help transition the soil from field dirt to garden soil.  We were made fully aware the produce may not be extremely prolific, but that we should see some fairly good results.  But because of the rain, the garden has really taken off!  Our spinach, radishes, and basil are on their way, and it's a cool feeling eating right out of the dirt from the labor of our own hands.  The amount of rain is dizzying; yet it does grow things.  For that I'm thankful!

The youth took off on their mission trip this morning to Missouri!  I'm excited for them and the work God will be doing with their hearts this week, and I'm thankful they are willing to go and have the opportunity.  Praise God!

I could go on, but I'll let that be enough.  Here's to gratitude, to joy, and to the reminder to cultivate it!  I'm excited to see your lists.

More to come!

Jason <><