Acts of Gratitude for Ordinary DaysSample

My Earring Collection

Standing before my simple, homemade earring display case that hangs near my vanity mirror, I contemplated my options. I’m a jewelry minimalist, except for earrings. Most frequently, I reach for a big, dangling pair that can be easily spotted from across a room, although I have several favorite sets of petite, ­hard-​­to-​­notice studs that make my day when I slip them on. If I’m going to walk out the door, I put on ­earrings—​­even on the days I skip makeup and tuck my hair into a hat.

Why earrings? This habit started quite accidentally but has become a beloved part of my morning routine. Years ago, I purchased a beautiful pair while on vacation. Every time I slipped them on, I recalled the fun we had on that trip and even the warmth of the experience. Realizing that those accessories triggered a cascade of lovely memories every time I saw them, I started buying an inexpensive pair on each subsequent trip as a memento. A few years later, I began adding sets to mark significant milestones in my walk with Jesus. And now, here I stand in front of my own version of the Gilgal stones mentioned in today’s verse.

What are Gilgal stones? God commanded Joshua to pull twelve stones from the middle of the temporarily dry Jordan River to memorialize the miracle of parting the ­flood-​­stage Jordan so that the Israelites could cross on dry ground. Those stones were then stacked in a pile as an enduring memorial for subsequent generations to what God did for his people that day.

My earrings will never be a memorial for future generations like the actual Gilgal stones. Still, they are a daily reminder to me of God’s goodness, his enduring faithfulness, and some of the beautiful places I’ve been blessed to explore during my travels. They are tiny remembrances of my blessings, and I rarely leave the house without a pair.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

How do you remember God’s provision and blessing in your life? Consider whether you could establish your own version of the Gilgal stones.