Feeling Grateful Today

As I've been going about my day today, I've realized that I tend to take so much routine stuff for granted, things that I just always assume will be there. But today, in light of what's going on in Lousiana and other states, I've been silently thanking the Lord for things like:

• A roof over my head, clothes to wear, and an abundance of food to eat
• Clean water for drinking and bathing
• A reliable postal system
• Being able to go to the bank and make a deposit
• Being able to fill my car with gas (even if it was $2.89 a gallon)
• Reliable electricity
• Having the means to care for and feed my cats

I can't imagine having all this and more yanked out from under me like those people have...I know God would provide and meet our needs, but it would still be traumatic. I wish there was more we could do for those left homeless by this storm.

As the old hymn reminds us, we should "count our blessings, name them one by one." Truly, we don't deserve all the good things God has given us so graciously. This storm also reminds us that earthly possessions are temporary, and helps us fix our eyes on eternity, where we have "an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for us." (1 Peter 1:4) Thank You, Lord!

I'm Published!

A few years ago I submitted an article to Spider magazine, a publication for children ages 6-9. To my surprise, they accepted my article, but said it could take a few years before it appeared in print. Well, my article is now in the September issue of Spider, and I received my six free author's copies in the mail yesterday! It was so exciting to turn the pages and see my name right there in print! My article is called "Who Turned On the Faucet?" and is about how tears are formed and why people cry...I think they did a great job with the artwork that accompanies it!

If you would like to see for yourself, Borders and/or Barnes & Noble usually carry this magazine, and the public library might have it also.

I should write and submit more often...maybe this will be the motivation I need! ;-)