The Joy Dare: Blessings Thirteen to Eighteen

   "something you're reading, you're making, you're seeing"

#0013 I am grateful for Les Miserables. Even though this is my most dearly beloved musical, I have struggled to get into the book. I have just started reading it for the third time via the Kindle app on my phone and I'm loving it! Can't wait to finish the first section to switch back to the paperback. So many good messages and blessings in this story of forgiveness and redemption - almost a parallel of the Bible.

#0014 I am grateful for my bed, and the dressings made with love that grace it. In the past I have been guilty of neglecting to make my bed each day, but recently I have made it the first thing I do in the morning. It is so refreshing to come home from work to a tidy room and a made bed!

#0015 I am grateful for answered prayer. I noticed today that the things I prayed for with thanksgiving were the first to receive an answer. I truly believe that being deliberately and specifically thankful is opening my eyes to the Lord working and answering prayer.

   "one thing in your bag, your fridge, your heart"

#0016 I am grateful for ChapStick. As someone prone to dry lips, I am a lover of lip balm. I am thankful that it comes in little sticks to keep in my purse, and in any flavour I could possibly want.

#0017 I am grateful for the tumbledown gingerbread shack in my fridge. There is a long and messy story that goes with this shack, and if you ask nicely in a comment, or perhaps ask Emma, we might share it in a future post. But it reminds me of a hilarious, frantic Christmas Eve with my sister and brother, and the fun we had. I love them.

#0018 I am grateful for beautiful hymns that remind me of the blessing of salvation. "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" has been in my mind and my heart today. I love it, not only because it is musically lovely to sing, but mostly because it shares the story of Christ's redeeming love in a simple but beautiful and reverent way.

"I will not boast in anything,

No gifts, no pow'rs, no wisdom,

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from his reward?

I cannot give an answer.

But this I know with all my heart,

His wounds have paid my ransom."

(How Deep The Father's Love For us, Stuart Townend, 1995)

   While I was at work today, I had on a CD of Christian children's music. A scripture memory song came on that is fast becoming a favourite of mine. It is a very short and simple song, but a reminder to engage in eucharisteo - in joyful thanksgiving.

"We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks to you!" (Psalm 75:1, NKJV)

   Lord, I give thanks to You for my life, my friends, and my job. I give thanks for a fantastic night out at the theatre that lifted my spirits after a challenging afternoon. I give ethanks for answered prayer, for the way You are the Rock in the storm, and for giving me a sense of calm in stressful situations. I give thanks for cuddles from babies and for the opportunity to witness sweet sibling interactions. But most of all, I give thanks for Your son, in whose gospel I can proudly boast. Continue to bless my week, dear God, and stay close by. I give thanks for the opportunity to give thanks.