Grace at Home No. 299

Hello, friends! I'm so glad you're here for this week's Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace.

Today is a special day in my life: my oldest son turns 27 today. I've been a mom for 27 years! Even as I type those words, I can scarcely believe it. My oldest son is an aviator in the U.S. Navy, so I don't get to see him very often, but he was home for about 15 hours a few weeks ago, just long enough to adopt this darling puppy from our local beagle rescue organization:

I'm excited to tell you that I'm not in my home this week—I'm away on a writer's retreat, working mightily on my book. Y'all, my manuscript is due to InterVarsity Press on August 1—that's less than 2 1/2 months away! I'm making good progress, but there's still so much work to do. I want this book to be a real blessing to everyone who reads it, so I covet your prayers for the writing process.

Anyway, with all that's going on this week, I haven't had a chance to visit folks who joined last week's party. I'm sorry about that, but I look forward to catching up with everyone next week. In the meantime, I appreciate your being here to share your posts.

Now for this week's party!  Grace at Home is a place for you to share anything related to making your home a place of grace. I invite you to link posts about

• DIY projects
• decorating
• recipes
• hospitality
• homemaking tips
• parenting
• marriage
• faith
• self-care
• soul care

Whatever you do to make your home a place of grace, I'd like to hear about it.  Here's what I ask of you.  Please include the permalink to your post, not your blog's home page.  Please let people know that you've linked up.  No more than three posts per person, please.  Note that if you link a post here, you are giving me permission to share your post, including a photo.  And visit at least one of the other party participants--that's what really makes it a party!

Grace at Home No. 298

Welcome, friends! I'm so glad you're here for the Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace.

Here are some links from last week's party that caught my eye.

Jenny from Refresh Living explained how to care for succulents so they last a long time.

Marie from DIY Adulation showed us how to make a darling jar for a travel savings fund. Such a good idea!

If you're looking for some easy ways to save money so that you'll have spare change for a travel fund, check out this post from Nadine at The Kindest Way.

I'm always on the hunt for fresh recipes for summertime. This tortellini salad from Erin at DelightfulEMade looks scrumptious!

Just in time for Mother's Day, you'll appreciate this inspiration from Tiffiney at Welcome Home. Be sure to read this!

As for me, a simple shower reminded me of the blessings I often take for granted. I'd love for you to read "Another Chance to Be Grateful" and let me know what you think!

A big thank you to everyone who joined last week's party!  I'm so grateful for each person who links up each week. If you've been featured, feel free to grab the "I was featured" button.  I'd be so proud if you displayed it!

Now for this week's party!  Grace at Home is a place for you to share anything related to making your home a place of grace. I invite you to link posts about

• DIY projects
• decorating
• recipes
• hospitality
• homemaking tips
• parenting
• marriage
• faith
• self-care
• soul care

Whatever you do to make your home a place of grace, I'd like to hear about it.  Here's what I ask of you.  Please include the permalink to your post, not your blog's home page.  Please let people know that you've linked up.  No more than three posts per person, please.  Note that if you link a post here, you are giving me permission to share your post, including a photo.  And visit at least one of the other party participants--that's what really makes it a party!

Another chance to be grateful

Isn't it interesting how the smallest circumstance can cause a shift in your thinking?

Not long ago, the events of one morning conspired to prevent me from taking a shower. Nothing was wrong, really; I just wasn't able to bathe before I needed to be dressed and out and about. I'd taken a shower the morning before; I wasn't disgustingly dirty or stinky. I just wasn't freshly clean.

By midday I felt sticky and itchy. Oh, how I longed to smell fresh and soapy. I wanted my skin to feel smooth and satiny. I coveted a deep breath of the aroma of a freshly-laundered towel.

In a word, I was cranky.

So I took myself off to my nice, big, clean shower. I stood under the steady stream of steaming hot water. I lathered up lavishly with my fragrant body wash. All was right with my world again. "Boy, I'm thankful for a good shower," I thought to myself.

And then it hit me: the ugly truth, right square between the eyes. Actually, I'm not at all thankful for a good shower. To tell the truth, I rarely give it a second thought. Only on a day when I was prevented from having it at the usual time did I stop to realize what a blessing a bath is.

How many, I wondered, how many busy women just like me would love to be able to bathe once a week? Even once a month?? How many would give nearly anything to stand in a shower of clean, hot water? How many would consider it the height of indulgence to wash their bodies with the soap I use every single day?

I am struck by the fact that this everyday blessing which I take so lightly is actually a great luxury. I think wryly to myself that there's nothing wrong with me that flood or fire wouldn't cure. And then I wince at the knowledge that there are millions who have endured flood or fire or even worse, while I sit here securely in my nice snug house.

Dear God, what would I have left if I were to lose all the things for which I never stop to give thanks? I realize now that I must begin my prayer of thanksgiving with one of confession.

I never intended to be blasé and complacent. I didn't mean to be ungrateful. I realize now that ease has affected my perspective. I spend too much time thinking of all the things I don't have and not nearly enough time being grateful for all that I do have.

I want my perspective to change—indeed, I need my perspective to change. Dear God, I confess my poor attitude, my thankless heart, my ungrateful spirit. Change me, Lord.

How about you? Are you, like me, grateful for another chance to be grateful?

Joining these lovely parties:

Share His Story with Jennifer Dukes Lee