Heart Filled with Gratitude

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly
as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom
through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 3:16 (TNIV)

What an incredible mapping Colossians 3:16 provides for us as we begin our week:

Allow the message of our Christ to live among each of us richly.  What a wondrous thought -- each of us walking around with Christ's message living richly in each one of us because we allow the Word to dwell in and with us.

And then we are to go about teaching and admonishing each other not just with wisdom but through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit.  Not only are we to be walking about with Christ's message living in us, but we are to share that Word through psalms, hymns and songs.

And all this singing is to be lifted up to God with gratitude in our hearts.  If your heart is filled with gratitude, there will be nothing to keep you from living up to these words from Colossians.

Today is Monday and that means time to link up with Ann Voskamp and the multitude of friends counting 1000 gifts at A Holy Experience.  So, I'm ready to open my heart and share some

Credit

* * *

586.  For the gift of love shared by so many for our family.
587.  For the news that I have had a writing piece accepted for publication.
588.  Finally for the sight of tiny tomatoes on our vines.
589.  The bounty of the berries we've picked from our own bushes.
590.  Healing of inflammation in a really sore bursa.
591.  Joys of videos of our great-grandson.
592.  Time with an older sister and her husband.
593.  And time with an older brother.
594.  Relief from pain from a broken toe (not my week!).
595.  The community at A Holy Experience.
596.  Ann's gifts so willingly shared with us all.

If you want to give thanks and then share your post with the community at A Holy Experience, please come on over.

 

What a Weekend Can Hold!

Photo credit

As we are all too painfully aware, this weekend held within it the tragedy that struck movie goers in Aurora, CO.

Innocents, who had purchased their ticket and popcorn, waited patiently for the film to roll.

And then violence erupted!  Not on the screen, but in front of them.

Our hearts mourn for those who suffered loss, both the families of the victims and the family of the young man who obviously had lost his way.

Our prayers go out to these families and to those who survived as they heal and attempt to recover from these horrors.

* * *

Photo credit

Today, thousands of miles away from Aurora and as far from the horror of what these people have experienced, I attended a bridal shower for the daughter of dear friends.  So much laughter, so much so there were even some tears!  Beautifully wrapped packages, decadent foods, incredible gifts of love.

* * *

The distance between our experiences leaves us standing amazed at the disparity of emotions being felt all at the same time in our world.

And yet, God covers us all in the midst of our joys and our sorrows.  

Just as He blesses those families hurting and works to bring healing in a variety of ways, God also blesses this young couple embarking on a new life together.

Hard to believe, isn't it?

Not if you know, truly know God!

* * *

Joining with Ann Voskamp and the others who are counting gifts at A Holy Experience:

573.  Days of warmth and sunlight.
574.  A day filled with berry picking and a picnic with my husband.
575.  The patience to see me through husband's jam-making!
576.  Skill of doctors and nurses working through some lab tests.
577.  Miracle of a cortison injection.
578.  A written piece accepted for inclusion in an anthology.
579.  Quick response by emergency responders in Aurora.
580.  Heroism in action in the theater.
581.  Lives given for lives surviving.
582.  Engagements, weddings and bridal showers.
583.  Fun times spent in a room full of women.
584.  Coming home to a hubby making MORE jam!
585.  Quiet Sunday evenings together.

If you've never visited Multitudes on Mondays or begun counting to
one thousand gifts and want to know more,
won't you come on over to A Holy Experience for a visit with us?

Breathing Praise and Gratitude

Inhale.

Exhale.

Breathing.

Simple, reflexive, necessary, life act of breathing.

On each inhalation, exhalation, complete cycle of breath, we can praise and give thanks to the Lord our God.

Take the time to realize that He who gave us the breath of life, who made our body to respond to the reflexive need for air, asks us to do so little.

Draw close, need Him in our life, and let Him know by praising Him and giving thanks.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of breath with which to praise and thank you.

* * * 

547.  Breath of life.
548.  Every living, breathing thing in creation.
549.  Freedom to declare our worship and love of the Lord.
550.  Music of the Independence Day holiday.
551.  Sharing with friends, old and new, in celebrations.
552.  Safety of our great-niece and great-nephew in Nigeria...
553.  Swift medical care for our grandson with a wound infection.
554.  Goodness of our daughter-in-law who loves her family so much.
555.  Sun, blue skies and the start of summer, finally!
556.  First harvest of lettuce and blueberries from our own plantings.
557.  Changing colors of the hydrangea blossoms.
558.  Encouragement from writing friends.
559.  Connections with other women writing about God's love on the Internet.

Although I'm counting today, I don't have the ability to link up with the gang over at Ann Voskamp's, because we're traveling.  However, I'm thinking about them and you, and want to invite you to drop in there and see what's going on:

Thanks + Giving = Joy -- Still Counting to 1000 Gifts

What a wonderful way to start the week by working out mathematical formulas!  Right?  No?  Well, math isn't my favorite thing to do, but I was pondering the word "thanksgiving" for no real reason, and came up with this formula:

• Thanks means to express gratitude.  Add to that --

• Giving means to make a gift something, offer something, and those together equal

• Joy meaning a feeling of excitement, exultation.

If math or algebra class had proffered such formulas to work out, I think I'd have been a happier student!

God gives so generously of His love for us in innumerable ways that to not give back to Him in gratitude is disrespectful, thoughtless and unthinkable, at least in my opinion.

So, won't you share in the joy of giving back to God in thanks today for the ways He has been good to you this past week?  We're gathering over at A Holy Experience today to do just that.

516.  The devotional book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.
517.  Successful surgery for our son and the start of a great recovery.
518.  Answered prayers.
519.  Joy expressed by friends at the beginning of summer vacation.
520.  Love of a good man shown in so many ways.
521.  Breakthroughs in my writing.
522.  Study of James with friends.
523.  Lovely connections with so many Christian bloggers.
524.  Gift of praying for friends in difficult situations.

Praise Him! Praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!

~~ Refrain from hymn, Praise Him, Praise Him

(Words by Fanny Crosby, music by Chester G. Allen, 1869)

Linking up with the community at A Holy Experience 

and with Laura at 

Light, Gladness and Thanks

"Light is sown like seed for the righteous and gladness for the
upright in heart. Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones,
and give thanks to His holy name."
Psalms 97:11-12

Attribution

Sitting in our backyard today the light came through the trees much like this photo shows.

As I looked up through the towering trees, I was at once caught up by the goodness of that light and how it spread across not only our yard but our neighbors' yards, and in fact all over our small neighborhood.

Just as the Psalmist says in these verses, the "light is sown like seed" -- the light's beams are thrown down from above to the earth below.  As I garden and plant seeds, often they are tossed down into the row with the hope that the seed will flourish.

God's light is sent down with the hope that it will plant a seed in a heart and flourish there too.  How can we not be glad in our hearts and give thanks to Him for all His goodness to us?

Continuing to count with the group over at A Holy Experience:

505.  Ordinary time at home.

506.  Successful shoulder surgery for our son.

507.  Our daughter-in-law's care for our son.

508.  Healing for a friend.

509.  Continued adjustments happening for family with nursing home situation.

510.  A warm sunny day to work outside.

511.  Study by Marlene Bagnull for Christian writers, Writing His Answer.
512.  A breakthrough in writing my memoir.
513.  Seeing God at work in our youth program.
514.  Our youth pastor's leadership.
515.  New children's ministries director.

Won't you join us in counting the gifts God has bestowed during the last week?

Linking up with the community at A Holy Experience 

and with Laura at 

and with L.L. Barkat at

For the Beauty of the Earth

For The Beauty of The Earth
by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

***

For the Beauty of the Earth is a hymn which resonates throughout my life, since childhood in fact.  I always thought of this, the first verse, as the most beautiful.  

But I also reasoned that this was a large and grand hymn offering to God something in return for all He had given us.  A child-like observation, yes, but one that I think continues to be true, at least for me.

Another caregiver trip to Washington state brought us along Interstate 84E on Saturday afternoon.  I am continually amazed when we drive through the Columbia River Gorge at the immensity of God's world and the artistry with which He created and brought our world into being.

The height of the walls and the layers of earth upon rock
upon silt and so on, on each side of the Gorge

Attribution

 View of the Gorge from Crown Point during
a luscious spring show -- the blue sky and greens below

Attribution

 To see the first sign of nearing home,
Mt. Hood, still cloaked in white

Attribution

 And to even realize blue skies are turning to gray skies
and rain as we near Portland -- the usual

Attribution

And continuing to give God my gratitude for the goodness of His gifts to me and mine:

496.  The beauty of the world around me as told in the verses to this hymn.

497.  The opportunity to live in an area so full of God's artistry.

498.  Gifts of watching friends help our brother who see him just as he always been despite the ravages of his disease.

499.  A committed sister-in-law who is taking extraordinary care of our brother.

500.  An unexpected visit with family from Boston over the weekend.

501.  Concerned children who think their parents are doing too much.

502.  The departure of a bug or virus that hit 24-36 hours ago and appears to be long gone.

Linking up with the community at A Holy Experience 

and with Laura at 

and with L.L. Barkat at

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting 1000 Gifts

Photo Credit

Last week reminded me of the old TV show called "The Week That Was."  Because that's just what kept going through our minds every step of the way. Comfort was found in the words of Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG):

 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

   don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

   he's the one who will keep you on track.

Once again, I'm in stopping in to share the gifts I've received with Ann Voskamp and others over at A Holy Experience.

474.  Once again for safe and quick travel to and from Yakima, WA.

475.  A community of friends who helped our family until we arrived.

476.  God's watchfulness over our own safety as we cared for Jim, lifting him and transferring him.

477.  For an up-to-date hospital and staff who cared for Jim until placement was made in a nursing facility.

478.  God's hand on all of us as we shook our fists, cried out our hearts, and moved in disbelief that Jim could no longer be at home.

479.  Acceptance that our decisions were the best fit for both Jim and Helen.

480.  A safe and loving nursing facility, with guidelines based in Scripture.

481.  Staff at that facility showing compassion and care to their patients.

482.  For a nephew who could help Helen work out a financial plan for them going forward.

483.  For friends who gathered round us all.

484.  For the prayers of family and friends.

485.  For the love of my circle of blogging friends from coast to coast who lifted hands and hearts in prayer and petition on our family's behalf.

 

And also stopping by Laura's for

And joining with L.L. Barkat for

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (#462-473)

Sunrise east of Portland looking at Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood sits majestically east of our home.  Unfortunately, we don't have a view but many mornings before retirement I could see this view from the downtown office building where I worked, especially on those very early and sleep-eyed mornings.

And even though I can't see her, I know she is there to my east, the bedroom end of our home, sitting and waiting for the sun to rise, or for the clouds to embrace her with a cloudcap.  Mt. Hood is there because God placed her there for all time.  Just thinking of this view makes me think of the hymn, Morning Has Broken:

Morning has broken
Like the first morning,
Black bird has spoken
Like the first bird.
Praise the singing!
Praise for the morning!
Praise for them springing
Fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall
Sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall
On the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
Of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness
Where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning.
Born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
Praise ev'ry morning,
God's recreation
Of the newday!

* * *

Continuing to count His marvelous gifts, along with everyone at A Holy Experience:

462.  Gifts of life, love, joy and happiness.

463.  Refreshing and renewal for my husband and me following caregiving time.

464.  Spring weather finally finding its way to the Pacific NW.

465.  Celebrating the joy of retirement for good friends.

466.  Honoring our retiring Christian Ed director at church yesterday.

467.  Seeing the children give her hugs and smiles.

468.  Planting in the yard.

469.  A mother who taught me to believe and to follow, and then to serve.

470.  Hearing from our kids on Mother's Day.

471.  Brunch with friends following church yesterday.

472.  Meeting an 8-year old girl while running errands who said, "I'm a joyful person!"

473.  The joy of God's recreation each and every morning.

Hope you decide to join us!  I'm linking up with Ann and others:

Image credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/congaman/4312011138/ 

And also sharing with Laura at: And with L.L. Berkat:

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (#429-442)

Simple Gifts is a favorite hymn of mine.  Written by Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr., a Shaker, the melody and words have endured since 1848.  For me, the words are full of freedom and love -- a reminder of where I ought to be and if there, I'll be in the "valley of love and delight."  How wonderful is this image!

Friday evening and all day yesterday my husband and I attended the Parkinson's Resources of Oregon Conference held in Eugene, OR.  Our attendance was an attempt to learn more about my brother-in-law's illness, which includes an insidious form of dementia which is still him from us.

Our joy and delight was found in the warmth and acceptance by Parkinson's patients and their families.  Despite their circumstances, each of this individuals and their family members had accepted their situations and found themselves in the place just right -- supporting and loving one another.

Shouldn't we all be so accepting of our circumstances and life situations?  

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

And walk in love, as Christ also loved us and given Himself for us,

an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV)

* * *

429.  Red tulips blooming in the yard

430.  First blossoms on the bleeding heart

431.  A camellia that hasn't bloomed for three years -- blooming!

432.  Circle of love in our family

433.  Bob's birthday this week

432.  Safe travel to and from Eugene

433.  New friends met and enjoyed

434.  Knowledge shared about illnesses common to many

435.  Gratitude for those who perform research in search of answers and treatments

436.  Professionals who took the time to share their expertise

437.  Gracious staff of Parkinson's Resources of Oregon 

438.  Quiet time at home today

439.  Birthday cards and calls for Bob from family

440.  Bob's impact on my life

441.  Wedding band on my finger that may be a bit more snug than the day it was slipped on 31 years ago, but no less shiny and sparkling because of the love it signifies

442.  Amazing Christian women who take time to blog and share their faith

Today I'm spending time with --

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (386-399)

Continuing to count One Thousand Gifts with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience, an exceptional way of thanking God through every single moment of life!

386.  Safe travel these last weeks.
387.  Incredible week of weather -- from warm spring days to snow and hail to rain and cold, but still in God's hands.
388.  Trips down memory lane as we shuffle through boxes of treasures in the attic.
389.  Old photographs.
390.  Sharing laughter and tears together for many reasons.
391.  Our daily devotion and prayer time together as husband and wife.
392.  Isaiah 40:31.
393.  Praying friends and praying for friends.
394.  Amazing worship service on Sunday.
395.  The beginning of Jesus' journey to the cross over the next two weeks.
396.  A friend's reunion with a child given up for adoption 16 years ago.
397.  Online friends I've never met face-to-face who are so faithful.
398.  Sparrows perching outside the window.
399.  Squirrels chattering about who knows what!

Hope you'll stop by and count with us over at Ann's site, A Holy Experience.  It's an incredible experience.

Enjoy the above free printable from Mother Letters.

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (377-385)

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews
who had come along with her also weeping,
he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
“Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 

John 11:32-36 (NIV)

The Gospel of John is rich.  And it contains the shortest verse in all of Scripture:  "Jesus wept."  Only two words. Only nine letters.  Yet that short verse speaks volumes to Jesus' compassion not only for Lazarus' sisters, but also his compassion for us.

In times of trouble, we seek answers and understanding to situations we may not fully understand.  We question:  Why I am the one to have this disease or this problem?  Why am I the one who can't do everything I used to do?  Why am I the one diagnosed with an insidious disease?  Why did I lose my job?  Why is my home in jeopardy?  Why, why, why???  Likely, we shed tears as we shout angrily at the world, family and friends and sometimes even God.  

Jesus sees our tears.  He hears our anger and despair.  He knows our burdens.  And he comes to us with compassion and yes, love.  In the verses above, Jesus saw one of Lazarus' sisters weeping as well as the Jews who came with her.  Seeing their tears, he was "deeply moved in spirit."  

In our own times of trouble, no matter the source, Jesus sees our tears, hears our anger, and he is moved to touch us with his compassion and love. 

Photo credit above:  Central Church Cambridge

Continuing to count One Thousand Gifts:

377.  Jesus' compassion and love for us, no matter what.

378.  Understanding of family needs and wants.

379.  Daffodils and crocus blooming bright yellows.

380.  First hyacinth blossoms, purple for the season of Lent.

381.  Safe travel this last week.

382.  Children who care.

383.  Safety of a daughter and grandson.

384.  Joyful acceptance by the next generation of family treasures.

385.  Season of Lent.

We're all counting over at Ann Voskamp's site, A Holy Experience.  Won't you stop by and join us?

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (365-376)

On Saturday, I read with interest Mark D. Roberts' post for Daily Reflections at The High Calling.  Roberts' reflections on Psalm 118 almost brought me to my knees.  Questions began whirling in my head and heart:  Do I always give God the glory?  Do I seek my own selfish satisfaction of being in the spotlight?  Do I seek compliments upon my accomplishments in church activities?  Do I stop and even think that the glory isn't mine?  And the questions went on! 

I want to share with you the prayer that concluded Roberts' post on Saturday.  It's one I hope I never forget . . . .

Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
     but to your name goes all the glory
     for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
May you be glorified, Lord, in my work.
May you be glorified in my family.
May you be glorified in all of my relationships.
May you be glorified in my earning and my spending.
May you be glorified in my public life and my private life.
May you be glorified in my church.
May you be glorified in every bit of my life.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
     but to your name goes all the glory
     for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Amen

~~~~~~~~

Counting again today with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience:

365.  God's Son who died for our sins.
366.  Prayer, so simple and yet sometimes so hard.
367.  Calling to minister in caregiving.
368.  Niece and nephew answering the call to serve in Nigeria.
369.  Another niece answering God's call by teaching in Russia.
370.  Two days of warm, sunny weather this past week.
371.  Memories being discovered in dusty old boxes.
372.  The love of my life and all he does for me.
373.  Safety for our daughter and her son as they returned from Indiana.
374.  Our daughter-in-law so full of compassion and giving.
375.  Friends I've never met who are praying for our family.
376.  Glorious goodness of God.

Won't you come on over to Ann's place and join us in sharing the gifts God has placed in your life this last week?

A Holy Experience

Photo credit:  Wednesday Night Service

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (#357-364)

I read Ann Voskamp's post yesterday (March 5, 2012) about "getting out of your comfort zone."  This could mean a lot of things to many people, and it stopped me dead in my tracks.  My husband and I had just returned from a week of ministering to his brother and sister-in-law.  Jim and Helen are coping, most days, with Jim's Parkinson's.  But it's not as simple as having Parkinson's -- Jim has a rare form known as Parkinson's with Lewy body dementia.  And the dementia is the worst part of his disease.

We see them about once a month or more often as they're five hours from us.  Each time we see distinctive changes in Jim's cognition and behavior.  We are losing him, slowly we're losing him.  The person he has always been to us is disappearing.  Here's where Ann's post grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me.

A night or two this past week I sat up with Jim.  His sleep is so disrupted that sometimes he's up as many as six times an hour.  During this time, he slept some but also wanted comfort.  I've never held my brother-in-law's hands.  That night I realized how much they are like my husband's hands.

It occurred to me that this insidious disease could have come to my husband, and it could have been him I was caring for.  My thoughts circled around that it would be easier to care for and comfort my husband -- it just seemed more natural.

But obviously God has decided to draw me outside my comfort zone and give comfort and care to those with whom I haven't been quite so intimate.  I'm learning through prayer and meditation to see myself as Jim's sister, not sister-in-law, and it helps.

So many gifts to lift gratitude for:

357.  Jim's life as we have known it previously.
358.  The doctors specializing in his illness and providing care.
359.  Helen's commitment to Jim and his care.
360.  The love I see passing between my husband and his brother.
361.  Acceptance as one who can give Jim care and comfort.
362.  God's Word to shore us all up.
363.  Prayers of many good friends.
364.  Safe travel to and from Jim and Helen's.

I hope you'll join us at A Holy Experience to count God's gifts to you.  We'll be watching for you.

Photo credit:  www.careconfidently.com

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (346-356)

Two or three days ago a friend shared the video embedded here with me.  As the little girl began to talk, I was taken aback at her clear understanding of "exploring," and what it does for our minds.  Yet the video moves on, soul satisfying music playing in the background and the comfortable voice of a Jesuit priest narrating.  His thoughts and words focus on gratitude, and I found myself near tears as I listened.  I share it with you today as I continue to count my gifts.

Moving Art (TM) -- Gratitude

346.  Children with active minds.

347.  Smiles.

348.  Daffodils blooming!

349.  My husband's love and caring for his brother.

350.  Friends who understand how crazy life can be.

351.  Writing words of comfort, grace, and about God's goodness.

352.  Crocheted afghans to keep me warm on cold nights.

353.  Connecting with high school classmates.

354.  News of a baby to be born in our family in September.

355.  Sunlight glinting through the windows and dancing on the floors.

356.  The book, One Thousand Gifts, which reminded me to be aware of the gifts in each day.

~~~~~~~~~~

Linking up with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.  Won't you drop in there for a visit?

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (332-345)

And so the cycle of life begins with the first signs of spring -- daffodils pushing their way through the cold earth of winter, maybe even through snow in some places.  Forcing themselves out into the sight of passersby.  Shouting ever so quietly that spring is coming!

Here in the Pacific Northwest we're beginning to see signs of spring earlier than usual.  How the climatology of our country is changing each year.  And yes, so do we -- change that is, day by day and year by year.  Maybe not so drastically as the passing seasons, but we change.

We've been watching a Christmas cactus that bloomed profusely around Christmas.  Once its blooms faded, we assumed it was entering dormancy.  One morning, unexpectedly, was the beginning of a new leaf, new life on this now bare plant.  And now there are five -- each one growing by leaps and bounds.  We've done nothing differently -- we just watch.

And God watches us, hoping that with each step, each stretch, we are reaching to grow in Him.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:51 (NIV)

Is our every step, every stretch, every movement toward growing "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God?"  Truly it should be, and the ultimate start on this journey is to give thanks for that which we have been given, thus focusing our eyes on the Source.

A Holy Experience

332.  The gift of rain along with acceptance of the dark skies and often dismal outside.

333.  The bright green shoots signalling spring.

334.  Our MOPS moms who serve each other so lovingly.

335.  The gift of intercessory prayer.

336.  The joy of living without pain.

337.  Sounds of spring outside our home.

338.  Sunlight and shadows flitting in and out.

339.  Freedom of religion that so many do not experience.

340.  Sources of fellowship and writing online.

341.  The joy of counting gifts and giving thanks.

342.  Seeing our third graders receive their Bibles during worship service.

343.  Music that makes your feet want to dance in your pew on Sunday.

344.  Voices raised in praise to Him.

345.  Children and grandchildren.

Have you tried counting to one thousand gifts?  Join us with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience to do just that each Monday.  Hope to see you there!


(Photo credit)

A Heart Full of Thanks: Counting One Thousand Gifts (261-287)

A Holy Experience

Have you read it?  Maybe you've heard of it.  Have you been counting?  Maybe you're asking, "What is it? And what would I be counting?

It is One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and reading this book is and can be life changing.  Ann's unique style of writing transports the reader, at least in my case, to a height of awareness that may have never been experienced before.  The senses become more perceptive to even the smallest of gifts, God-given gifts, around you.

And then you begin to count, each tiny gift, each awe-inspiring gift, one by one until you reach 1,000!

But in this new year of 2012, a new challenge has been brought to the forefront.  It seems Ann agreed with a radio interviewer to challenge the station's listeners to count 1,000 gifts in this year.  And Ann agreed to count with them.

Now, she has challenged her community of followers online, via Facebook, and throughout the space we know as cyber to count along with them -- counting 1,000 gifts in the year 2012.

It won't be hard to do -- 1,000 gifts in 365 days equals out to three gifts per day, and Ann provides on her site, A Holy Experience, a month-by-month Joy Dare list of things to be looking for in your life's days.

I don't know about you but I'm accepting this challenge.  I had started counting last year, but hadn't come close to the 500 mark when I read Ann's post about Joy Dare.  So, here I go covering the first nine days of January:

261.  Good health
262.  Attitude of compassion
263.  Giving nature
264.  Sun breaks
265.  Loving husband
266.  Fresh fruit
267.  "My grace is enough for you."
268.  "The Lord is my Shepherd."
269.  "And you shall call Him Jesus."
270.  Memories
271.  Everett's growth in these three months of life
272.  Peeks of blue sky
273.  Book of James
274.  Working on baby quilt
275.  Hints of spring all around
276.  Time to work on cardigan I'm knitting
277.  Healthy food
278.  Promise to practice more grace
279.  Patience from my husband
280.  Prayers from Margie
281.  Compassion from Genevieve
282.  A tiny ray of sun
283.  Seeing myself in others' eyes since surgery
284.  Hummingbird feeder's shadow on family room floor
285.  Ability to reach out
286.  Buds showing on the hellebores
287.  Sitting next to my husband at a concert

I'm joining Ann and others on her site to share our counting of gifts.  Won't you join us?

A Holy Experience

A Heart Overflowing: Counting One Thousand Gifts (#252-260)

Grace Magazine

Grace isn't easy.  And during this last year, I've worked hard to be more gracious in many ways.  Grace is not a stranger to me -- God has blessed me with His grace a thousand times over.  Grace is sensual, warm, intoxicating, diaphanous -- you know it when you feel it wash over you.  But physical limitations aside, and they could be used as excuses for not being gracious, this wasn't my most gracious year.

So, in 2012, my desire is to grow closer to God not only to experience more of His grace in my life but also to experiment with touching others with that grace in ways I've never tried before.  I read just yesterday of a man who decided one year to resolve to write thank you's, not emails, not text messages, but handwritten notes to people who'd done something nice for him -- the barista in his coffee shop, the teller at the bank, the person who straightened out a discrepancy on a bill -- you get the idea.  For each of the 365 notes he gave out, he most always received a very positive response in return.

What does this tell us?  Grace given is grace returned.  Fairly simple, but often hard to put into action.  What are you doing to extend grace to those around you?  Do you need to experience more of God's grace to you?  Then draw closer -- God will provide.  Come with me, won't you, on this journey to Grace.

www.aholyexperience.com

252.  Sounds of rain and wind
253.  Beginning signs of tiny green shoots and buds
254.  Progress in recovery
255.  Connecting with two high school friends I've not seen since 1964
256.  God's incredible goodness in 2011
257.  Frost painting patterns on the ground
258.  Sunny Sunday to begin 2012
259.  Sweet little girl at the Children's Sermon, the only girl among all those boys
260.  Dappled sunlight to begin the day, telling me it's working hard to wake up too