Three things overheard, all gifts

"Three things overheard, all gifts"


#0031 "DERP!" - my little sister's current way of saying "I love you".





#0032 The clattering of dishes that tells me that Mama is cleaning the kitchen to bless me tonight.


#0033 Hearing a sweet friend say lovely things about my grandparents

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. 

The Joy Dare: My First Six Blessings

   Today I begin the Joy Dare with my first six gifts.


   "3 things about yourself you are grateful for"


#0001 I am grateful for my tenacious spirit that keeps fighting when the rest of me wants to give up.

#0002 I am grateful for my hazel eyes that change colour depending on what I wear.


#0003 I am grateful for my love of learning that continues to make exploring my Father's world a delight.


   "a gift outside, inside, on a plate"


#0004 I am grateful for the warmth of the sun on my skin.


#0005 I am grateful for having a home to care for.


#0006 I am grateful for time spent cooking with my sister.


   One Thousand Gifts has inspired me to leave my Bible reading plan behind and embark on a journey through the Word to better understand thankfulness and the love of the Saviour. James, Christ's brother, writes

"Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures." (James 1:17-18, HCSB)

   Blessed Father of lights, draw me closer into your grace. Help me to live daily in a state of eucharisteo, of grace, joy and thanksgiving. Thank you for the innumerable blessings you have bestowed and continue to bestow in my life. I will never be able to count all of them, but I thank you for each one just the same. I love you, dear Lord.

 

 

Pursuing Loveliness: Where To Begin?

   Not long after I got up this morning, my mother handed me a book to read.

   The book was One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

   Mama challenged me to join her and my sister, Emma in completing Ann's Joy Dare - a challenge to give thanks to God for three things each day he has blessed us with, one thousand gifts throughout the year. Each month, Ann posts a calendar on her blog of things to look out for each day. As this month's dares began on January 1st, I'll be doing double time for the rest of January. 

   So now, I dare you. I dare you to give thanks to our Creator this year, every day, for even the smallest of graces. Join me in completing the 2012 Joy Dare. To God be the glory.