SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

  i did not have it memorized on my own, (it is not pre-programmed in my phone calendar as several other days of recognition are; it is not pre-printed on my paper wall calendar, as several other days of recognition are; but rather, just (re)learned via Joyce Meyer's Enjoying Everyday Life program, that today, being the 1st Thursday of may, is National Day of Prayer

this inspired me to share here, again, an abbreviated version of our morning prayer, which we pray, 7 days a week; 365:

First Robert prays in a very thorough, very detailed way, for every member of our family and extended family; for our friends and neighbors; for leaders, military, first responders..   and more

I always close our prayers with these words:   "Jesus, in your praiseworthy, trustworthy, chain-breaking, pain-taking, way-making;   all merciful, all grace-filled, all healing, all loving name;  this is the day that you have made; we rejoice!  are creative and productive, blessed to be a blessing, enormously grateful!  we take care of our responsibilities, but cast our cares, Jesus your yoke is light, and we glorify your name by enjoying this day..       amen

***

i'd be unable to count the number of scriptures that share about Jesus sacrifice so that we can experience joy; the number of scriptures that include the word JOY

and i could go on and on on this topic today, but we are about to go thoroughly enJOY this gorgeous day 

but close here with how we spiritually process our lives:  everything is a gratitude prayer; all our spending is tithing

i.e.,  a bike ride in nature IS OUR WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU for the gorgeous landscape, all the plants and flowers, the fresh air, the mobility of our bodies.. our love and relationship to each other; on and on

any spending we do to keep the bikes operating, (local bike business) on food for our picnic, etc.  -we regard it all tithing

when we shop/provide for our driveway happy hours  'tithing to our neighborhood & community!'

any shopping at local stores; eating at local restaurants  'tithing to our community!'

money we spend on the paint we use to cover vandalism/destruction of property via graffiti..  'tithing'

all shopping, spending, investing is tithing in one form or another; helping keep our favorite businesses, eateries open, hire/maintain employees, 

it's all support   -and here also acknowledge tithing can take the form of spending time & energy; not just money

SELAH!