Saturday Night Sunday Lesson

When I was tired and had thoughts about how directionless my life has felt in recent days, a friend asked if he could practice his Sunday lesson for me. The lesson was on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I felt the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit, and I felt at peace. As I have before, I felt that things would be alright, that I had no reason to truly be fearful or panic. I am doing my best, and I am becoming better, and because of Christ I can be the best I can be. I am grateful for a Saturday evening Sunday lesson.

Good Car Sales

The last time I remember visiting a place that sold cars, I was about ten years old, and my parents chatted with a salesman for about an hour...an eternity for a kid my age. At that point, I didn't like car dealerships, or shopping for cars.

Since then, I've been able to avoid shopping for a car for quite some time, but I know I'll need to get to it eventually. I went with someone as they went car shopping today, and it was a much more positive experience. The man we talked to was considerate and agreeable. He was a good man, working at an honest establishment.

I am grateful for a positive experience at a car sales company.

My Youngest Cousins

As the oldest child of my family, I have no nieces or nephews. However, I have very young cousins that are between the ages of 2 and 12. They can be a handful for their parents, but they are so adorable, delightful, and pleasant. I always enjoy going to this particular home to spend time with my aunt, uncle, and their young children.

I am grateful for each of my cousins, and today, I wish to express gratitude for my four youngest cousins. I am grateful to be able to see that family as often as I can. They also serve as a wonderful model that prepares me for the time I will have children. They are good, they are crazy, and they are part of my family. I am grateful for them.

Teacher's Day! (Thanks, Google)

Yesterday, Google reminded those of us in the United States that it was Teacher's Day. Such an adorable doodle, am I right?

I am among the tremendous ranks of people whose lives have been shaped by wonderful teachers. So, here's to you Mom, Dad, Noble, Solemburger, Richard, Kruger, Nigg, Biller, Beckus, Fererra, Magus, Ingersol, Cole, Gerchak, Tobias, Mey-Lar, Gunderson, Costello, Jorgensen, Johnson, Blake, Gigstad, Dunn, Larson, Ring, Horst, Cermack, Farren, Hall, Brown, Smith, Simmons, Bates, Gilstrap, Whitchurch, Howard, Jones, Resse, Olsen, Donakey, Oaks, Spencer, Gardner, Grimshaw, Turley, Lawrence, McInnis, Chapman, Layton, Skousen, Hallen, Elzinga, Thorne, and the myriad of others that have escaped my memory but have no less made a difference in my mind, heart, and character.

I am grateful for teachers, and one day after they are nationally recognized, I wanted to personally recognize them.

P.S.--Happy Star Wars Day! May the Fourth be with you. 

Candidates Have It Rough

The American presidential election has one fewer participant now that Ted Cruz has dropped out of the race. Though I have never been directly involved in a political campaign, I have lived and worked in Washington D.C. for a few months, and I did see every episode of The West Wing. I know a little of what presidential candidates go through, and I don't think anyone ever gets enough credit for the physical, mental, and emotional work put in by a candidate or their staff. Ted Cruz worked very hard for what he truly believed in, and his family has worked alongside him. The very same goes to Donald Trump, John Kasich, Hilary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders, and every other presidential candidate still in the Americal presidential race.

On this point, I really don't care if you agree or disagree about which candidate would be the best for our country. Just like when I picked a major in college, there could be several good options. I believe that there is much more good in each candidate than we often see in our various news and social media channels.

In any case, I am grateful for the men and women who run for president, and any other political office. Right now, I don't have the time, the interest, the resources, or the conviction to run for a political office. I very much admire any man or woman (and I mean any man or woman) who steps up to the racetrack.

"My Daily Grateful"

Recently, I realized that the title of my blog would be more direct if it was consistent with the URL: mydailygrateful.blogspot.com. When I created this blog a few years ago, I hoped to use this address: whatamigratefulfortoday.blogspot.com. I didn't because,as  you can see by following the link, it was already taken. That's why I chose "mydailygrateful." This choice helped guide my first few daily posts, making them brief but unique.

I wondered if I was the first to use this "daily grateful" phrase. Turns out I'm not. Check out this neat little page I came across: My Daily Grateful.

I am grateful that I'm not the only one to commit to finding a "daily grateful." There truly is a lot of good in the world, and there are a lot of good people who try to see the good and share it.

Phone Calls

As much as I appreciate the convenience and flexibility afforded by texting, I am grateful for what may now be considered the "good old-fashioned" phone call. It is good to hear the other person's voice. It is good to talk instead of exchanging a series of brief notes. Each method of communication does have its place, but when it comes to communicating with the people I love, phone calls are the way to go. I still get nervous when making calls to people I don't know or have some control over my placement in a job or other opportunity, but it is so much more conducive to communication to just talk instead of text.