This is a blog that I originally wrote in January 2019.  This week, Rich and I are on a little vacation and I am looking for a quicker way to get a blog to you, gentle readers. 

As I read this blog, I was struck by the appropriateness of its message for this week.  Indeed, for this tough year!  We have never had to deal with the universal limitations of such a serious health trauma.  Add to this dilemma the very important event that took place on November 3-the Presidential Election.

The need to search for gratitude in every aspect of our lives.  It will take a little bit of thought and prayer, but it will be worth every effort in the peace of mind and heart that we will receive.  Here is the original blog:

 Word in Season’s editor, Pastor Rochelle Melander, suggests gratitude journaling to find God in the world.  She mentions several benefits, physical as well as spiritual ones.  The goal is to observe and record acts of kindness and love that we see in today’s world.  It might be something that evokes a feeling of gratitude – think beautiful sunset or flowering plant, a sincere smile or a wink, holding the door for a stranger or praying for someone we dislike.  Concentrating on positive actions helps to make God’s love in the world more concrete and real.

I like to keep journals when I travel.  I fill them with observations about what we ate and where.  How much we spent and why.  I draw in the journals, small sketches of my view of the scenery.  I also clip articles from the local newspapers and include them to remember world and local events happening at the time of our trip.

I don’t worry about spelling or grammar but use the journals to express my excitement, wonder or disappointment about the events of the day.  I used to keep a “God Book” which was filled with my joys, questions and anger with or about God.   This journal was for my use only although I am sure that God always knew what was written and why.

However, I have never kept a journal solely for the purpose of finding God in the world, for recording acts of goodness.  In turbulent times, searching and finding examples of charity and kindness can be a challenge.  Usually, only tragedy, horror and discord make the front page.  I don’t think that this is a recent phenomenon.  I have yet to read of a time in history when everyone felt that the world was “just right.”  We have been waiting for the end of the world since it began.

I do believe that consciously seeking the goodness in our fellow travelers is an elevating activity.  It can take me from a place of gloom to a sunny afternoon.  It gives me a chance to catch a glimpse of the face of God.  It reminds me that God created all this goodness because He loves you unconditionally.

Terri