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 Nineteen to Twenty-Four

   "3 graces from people you love"


#0019 I am grateful for my brother thanking me for making dinner each night. It's encouraging to know that he's blessed by the meals I prepare for us.


#0020 I am grateful for Mama texting every morning telling me that she loves me and hopes I have a lovely day. Such a simple reminder can affect how my day begins.


#0021 I am grateful for the social media that allows me to sing "Funny Girl" with my best friend via Twitter. Just a small thing that may not mean much to anyone else, but sharing a favourite song from a dearly loved musical with Kate is always a joy.


   "a light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely"


#0022 I am grateful for delicious food. This photo doesn't capture it as beautifully as I saw it, but I loved the way the light danced across the surface of our bubbling pan of butter chicken tonight.

#0023 I am grateful for small moments when I feel lovely. I've been caring for my skin better recently and today it feels wonderful and looks good, which made me happy when I first saw my face this morning.

#0024 I am grateful for things in my house that remind me of favourite stories. I noticed this shadow tonight on my kitchen floor, and it made me think of chairs that the Cuthberts and the Marches would have had at their tables and on their porches. Our dining chairs are a much newer style, but their shadows wouldn't let on.

   A friend of mine posted this scripture reference as his facebook status today. I read it, and it really got me thinking, so I thought I'd share it with all of you. 

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good do those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners and receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:27-38, emphasis mine)

   "For He is kind to the unthankful." If the Lord is kind to the unthankful, imagine how much more kind he will be to the thankful! "Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom." This, Messiah says, is the fruit of a thankful life. Have you lived thankfully today?


    Father in Heaven, help me to live a life that is thankful to You every second of every day. Help me to follow the teachings of Your Son and love without expectation of reward or gratitude. Thankyou, Lord, for giving us Your Word to guide us and show us how to live lives full of the Spirit. As I grow in You, fill my cup to overflowing. Press it down and shake it together so that my soul can experience the fullness of You. I love you.