Practicing

Hands in the dishwater. Scrubbing pot, pan, plates. 

And the way of Brother Lawrence comes to mind. “Practicing the presence of God” in the midst of the mundane. 

Speaking thanks in the ordinary helps me. To learn this way. 

Practicing thankfulness prompts me. To notice His presence in common tasks and everyday occurrences. All along the daily path.

And the possibilities are endless. Leading me to look upward and outward.

“Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving…”
Psalm 95:2 CSB

Morning exercise

Morning exercise gets better every time I watch for the work of His hands. And practice thankfulness.

Today it’s the lone red leaf. Planted on wet asphalt. 

And autumn’s trees. Orchestra of red, yellow, orange. I can almost hear the Hallelujah Chorus at dawn. As first sun rays spotlight their beauty. Right before my eyes. 

Another place, another season, I’m walking on broken streets, in an urban neighborhood. The sun fighting to break through dense air. 

Even there, the smallest wildflowers somehow survive. Thrive. Peering out of concrete and grime on the side of the road. And Jacaranda trees shout. In all their violet glory.

Thank You, Lord. For ordinary walks and the extraordinary details of Your creation. Singing Your beauty and presence.

Household chores

Washing clothes. And all the everyday chores. Never my strong suit. 

But today, I pull warm clothes out of the dryer and fold them. Thanking the Lord for His provision. And the simple, constant routine of it all. 

Not a set routine, mind you. Some places found me pulling shirts off a clothesline. Or from clothing racks in the shade (to avoid fading). Folding laundry that hung inside under a ceiling fan. Or, in damp winters, near the oil heater.

And some days, it’s just harder. To practice thankfulness. 

When there’s no water in the pipes midway through the wash. Or the electricity goes off. Again. Or smoke from a pipe factory next-door leaves a dusting of black ash on clean diapers.

I fail. Often. But keep learning. Because this simple practice turns my heart toward Him. To trust. And ask for help. 

Thank You, Lord.

Preparing meals

Preparing meals for family and friends involves shopping.  Learning. Cooking. 

Shopping under tents. In narrow storefronts. At dusty bazaars. Or gleaming megastores with wide aisles and grocery carts. From the vegetable man, coming down the street with a colorful array displayed on his flat cart. To the outdoor meat market (flies included).

Learning to effectively clean produce in various settings (see Salt). Studying new-to-me ingredients and methods. Discovering the right combination of spices. Grains. Flours. 

Then, cooking. One-dish meals on the one-burner stove in a mountain town. Countertop-oven baking in the small windowless kitchenette of our Delhi flat. Making cross-cultural recipes in our brightly-lit American kitchen. 

Simple fare. And abundant feasts. All from His hand. And practicing thankfulness in every part of the process—if I remember—lightens the load. 

Thank You, Lord.

People

People. I see them. Meet them. Along the path. In our home. At the market.  

All different. Many colors, shapes, and sizes.

Family. Friends. And strangers. With unique stories. Hopes. Dreams. Hurts. 

Practicing thankfulness reminds me to see who is right in front of me. Each one made in His image. Each one loved by Him. 

And I’m reminded to pray. For those I know and those I don’t. All known and seen by Him.

Thank You, Lord.

Practicing thankfulness

Practicing thankfulness in the simple, everyday moments brings me into the spacious place. A wideness in the road.

The refuge of His presence.

Thank You, Lord.

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:17 CSB

What about you?

How are you practicing thankfulness these days? Happy Thanksgiving!

Related posts

On the way to thankfulness – Thank you – Thanksgiving – daily abiding – Pray continually – Be alert and pray – Salt