Daily Reflection
July 26, 2025

I started a gratitude journal several years ago. In fact, it was a gift by a co-worker, written by R. J. Palacio called “365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Brown’s Precepts. It’s based on a teacher who over several years collected an assignment from his students asking them to select a favorite precept (defined as “words to live by”) and to share it with Mr. Brown. Following ten years of this assignment he was encouraged to write a book sharing precepts he had received. In this book the author chose a student’s favorite precept and printed one for each day of the year. As an example, in the edition of the book I have, the precept for July 26^th is “There is no wealth but life” by John Ruskin. Upon receipt of this gift, I thought it was my opportunity to write 5 gratitudes daily on each page in which there was a precept. I have done this for the past 7 years. For example, on July 26^th my written gratitudes in 2021, 2023, and 2024 include family members and a special reverence for my daughter-in-law’s father who passed on July 26^th in 2021.

I keep the book close to my ‘prayer’ chair and when I open the book to write 5 gratitudes I have an opportunity to review what I have written in the past. In my review the most frequent gratitudes in the past 7 years has been for my faith, family, friends and co-workers. As I reflected on the scripture for today my most frequent gratitudes over the years and the words grace, relationships, and open heart came to mind. The scripture today is very much about grace, relationships and having an open, receptive heart.

When I became more open and receptive to the word of God (seed) the relationship I had with God grew. As my relationship with God grew my relationships with my family, friends, neighbors and co-workers became more kind, caring and loving (fruitful life or a good harvest). Over the years as I have cultivated my faith, my relationships have improved, my gratitude for my faith and relationships has grown, and when the trials and challenges of everyday life or a major event appears I am stronger and more prepared to seek God for direction and able to depend on those with whom I have built a relationship.

Today this scripture also reminds me to not compare or judge where others are on their faith journey but to continue to be a disciple of Jesus, to share my love and gratitude for my faith, and to accept myself as an imperfect parent, grandparent, friend, and co-worker and as someone who is open to be remolded and reshaped by her faith in God.