About the Author

Lucretia is a wife, mom of three, and a TEDx and Q Ideas speaker (Charlotte, NC, 2017). As a former college professor, she designed the popular ‘beginners’ course and study guide, What LIES Between Us: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing. She is the creator and director of the Brownicity.com...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. “As I carpool, my children and I share what we are grateful for about ourselves and why. This allows us to show an appreciation for assets we might otherwise take for granted — our bending knees, hearing ears, seeing eyes, curly hair, melanated skin” – I love this! What positive affirmations for your children, especially as they grow and go through the teen years when we all think we aren’t good enough. And even now as an adult not thinking we are good enough…

    • Yes, Nancy! Thank you for that affirmation, ‘we are good enough!’

      One of our daughters is 14, and I am elated each morning when she appreciates something about herself.

      May we refuse to miss out on living in the glory of God’s bigger picture.

      Thank you for reading!
      Shalom,
      Lucretia

  2. Good morning Everyone, how Precious to be reminded that Gratitude overshadows Negative attitudes. I grew up learning to be thankful because my Grandmother taught me to say thank you for gifts that I wanted and those I wasn’t prepared to embrace yet (squash, okra, peas, carrots, spinach, etc). Oh my goodness, now I need all those vegetables and I am very thankful to embrace making more wise meal plans for myself, even if I have to purchase the meals from a cafeteria.

    I heard someone say, “we live forward but we learn looking backwards.” I am 63 years wise and I still make mistakes and unwise choices. I wanted to be further along in my decision making skills. So when I listen to my children comment on matters, I think to myself and I say to them often, mama still needs prayer for many things. God is available and willing to help us. We just have to surrender our will to His Will and He will help us. Remember, His calendar is not like our calendar so plan to be patient and have a good attitude.

    Practice gratitude and kindness, use encouragement and compassion to listen to others. Book end everything with forgiveness.

    Enjoy your day.

    Brenda
    Your Sister in Christ

    • Yes, Brenda! “His calendar is not like our calendar so plan to be patient and have a good attitude.” Thank you for this affirming reminder!

      May we refuse to miss out on living in the glory of God’s bigger picture.

      Thank you for reading!
      Shalom,
      Lucretia

  3. Lucretia, I love this encouragement so much! Gratitude expands our view to the big picture instead of focusing on a “small” negative. May God make me a big picture girl! So thankful He is able! Bless you for sharing!

  4. A wonderful reminder of the power of gratitude which I so need these days. I always feels better when that is my focus. I seem to have forgotten this which may be part of why I have been feeling the way I do. I have been focusing on the negative. Time to get out the gratitude journal. Thank you.

    • Hi Madeline,
      It is so easy for me to focus on the negative. I am learning to put practices in place that make it easy for me to let go of the negative.

      May we refuse to miss out on living in the glory of God’s bigger picture.

      Thank you for reading!
      Shalom,
      Lucretia

  5. So fantastic!!! LOVE the scientific facts you paired with God’s intent – fascinating! His every tiny detail in creating humans has a purpose with our souls. Thank you for pointing that out!! You rock!

    • Jessica,
      I am glad you appreciated the brain science facts! Understanding how we are wired and why helps us navigate our experiences.

      May we refuse to miss out on living in the glory of God’s bigger picture.

      Thank you for reading!
      Shalom,
      Lucretia

  6. I am in the midst of a painful, challenging situation that has an uncertain conclusion. Last night I went to bed overwhelmed with discouragement. This morning your thoughts have helped me refocus on the many blessings I have in the midst of this struggle, the mercies of God that are new every morning, the truth that God’s many promises! Thank you!

    • Joanne,
      I am so sorry about what you are going through. I am glad to hear that you were able to refocus your thoughts so as not to drown in sorrow. I completely understand. I will continue to lift you in prayer.

      May we refuse to miss out on living in the glory of God’s bigger picture.

      Thank you for reading!
      Shalom,
      Lucretia

  7. Lucretia, a thousand thank you’s for this brilliant post! I am going to take your words to heart and start living my days in gratitude. Amen!

  8. I also tend to focus too much on the negative. An elderly friend many years ago gave me a journal to write down things I was thankful for. I ran across that little book when I was cleaning out a desk to move; it was blank except for the first page where I had written that I was thankful for her friendship. She had passed away by then. I have a bad habit of sticking things in piles and forgetting where I put them, lol. But I have found if I at least PRAY about things I am thankful for, it totally sets the tone for my day.

    Sometimes I need to remember those prayers hourly while I am working!

    • Shauna!
      I can certainly relate. I, too, need to be encouraged hourly as I work. I have begun collecting all the ‘Thank you’ notes that people have sent me so that I can create a gratitude college.

      May we refuse to miss out on living in the glory of God’s bigger picture.

      Thank you for reading!
      Shalom,
      Lucretia

  9. Thank you for this reminder, not to focus whose not here but to celebrate with those that showed up. When we got married some of my husband’s family members didn’t show up (including his parents), due to me not being Catholic. It was hurtful at the time. Thank you as I can give this to God and know that who was there was there for us to celebrate. God know us intimately and what best. We might not see it at the time, as we look back we see and feel our Creator’s hand protecting and guiding us. No matter what we deal with in life, those that show up are a gift and encourage, support and are prayerful in my life. Thank you for the Blessing these people who are walking with me.

  10. “Practicing gratitude helps me see the story unfolding from God’s perspective. It helps me anticipate and recognize God’s grace.” Yes! Thank you for this beautiful and encouraging story, Lucretia!

    • Hi Becky!
      You are so welcome. Of course, I needed to read it again the day after it published…lol. I WILL live in gratitude!!!

      May we refuse to miss out on living in the glory of God’s bigger picture.

      Thank you for reading!
      Shalom,
      Lucretia

  11. I’m surprised the Apostle Paul didn’t include gratitude when he wrote about the armor of God in Ephesians 6. It’s a powerful weapon against discouragement and dissatisfaction. Thank you for sharing your experience, Lucretia!

  12. The distraction of your brother brought a healing that changed your whole perspective. You could have joy and not negativity. Gratitude can change our hearts! Thanks for sharing!

    • Anita!
      That’s right. I’m so glad my brother was there to help me.

      May we refuse to miss out on living in the glory of God’s bigger picture.

      Thank you for reading!
      Shalom,
      Lucretia

  13. Thank you for the inspiring words. In all things I give thanks. I try to focus on God- not myself, those around me, and what is happening. Not taking gratitude for granted.

  14. Lucretia,

    It is easy to get down & depressed–especially in our world today. When that happens to me I simply make a “thankful” journal. I list each & every thing, person, place I am grateful for. My list includes God, home in heaven, family, friends & goes on down to small things like paper, paper clips, etc. It helps me see the bigger picture. Then I can praise God for ALL the blessings I have & stop being negative about the few things I don’t have. It changes one’s perspective just like your brother did with you at the wedding.

    Blessings 🙂

    • Beth!
      Thank you for sharing your gratitude practice with us!

      May we refuse to miss out on living in the glory of God’s bigger picture.

      Thank you for reading!
      Shalom,
      Lucretia