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.

 

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 (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 (#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

A Heart Overflowing (Counting One Thousand Gifts, #205-216)

We travelled out of town over Thanksgiving, and upon returning home it seems I've not been able to get in the groove with my writing, my blogging, my housework, my to do list . . . . in other words on this post and many other things, I'm running late like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland who cried, "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date.  No time to say 'Hello.'  Goodbye, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late."  Lewis Carroll's words typify the season we're entering, and I need to slow down this season and take it slower for a number of reasons.

The main reason I want to slow down is because of what I witnessed over Thanksgiving.  We were with my husband's brother and his wife for four days.  In late spring, my husband's brother was diagnosed with Parkinson's, and anyone who knows anything about this disease knows that it differs greatly from patient to patient.  Our last visit with them was in August, and we were startled by the changes we saw when we arrived a week ago.  Watching and listening to this once vibrant man struggle to find the words he wants to say, who can no longer do the small things for the love of his life, who is so emotional over things that reach in and touch his heart . . . and more made me realize that slowing down, stopping to smell that rose, touching another's hand or giving a smile or sitting and talking with your husband or wife, and a long list of other things, take so little out of our days and put so much into someone else's.

My eyes have been focusing on the little things I'm blessed with since reading Ann Voskamp's great book, One Thousand Gifts.  And as I have drawn my focus closer to the little things, I find a greater satisfaction in my own soul for all that God has done for us.  Won't you join me over at Ann's site where I love joining in on her Monday Musings, even if I'm a little late. 


A Holy Experience



Continuing to count with the Multitudes on Monday.
205.  Improvements in my husband's pain level.
206.  Call from my younger brother.
207.  Anticipation of Thanksgiving travel.
208.  Thanksgiving with family this year.
209.  Raised awareness of everyday blessings.
210.  Gift of unexpected piano recital of Thanksgiving hymns.
211.  Seeing old friends.
212.  Safe travel to and from.
213.  Faithful friends.
214.  Refreshing rain.
215.  Opening my eyes to each new day.
216.  The joy of waiting during Advent.
217.  Successful surgery for my younger brother.



Thanksgiving Day Inspirations

Help Me
(A Thanksgiving Day Prayer)

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.

-Samuel F. Pugh

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness:
come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God:
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good;
his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.

Wishing each and everyone of you, a glorious day of giving thanks and sharing with family, friends and community.

God's Palette

The Pacific NW rarely experiences vivid fall colors on the leaves, and the evergreen trees far outnumber deciduous trees in many areas.  Yet this fall has been on fire!  The colors have been vivid, varying from tree to tree in ways that reflect an artist's palette, and for this year it took God's palette. 

I can see God reaching for the trees and touching each one into vivid reds, oranges, yellows.  Then reaching out to turn the next leaves to deep, full browns, rusts, purples.  And He doesn't fail to leave a hint of green to remind us that these trees represent a cycle of life -- life that falters, and wanes, and catches hold again, and once again flourishes.  All because God's palette has touched life into being.

As we've driven or walked the sidewalks, we have witnessed this amazing cycle all around us.  If we would only pause, we would witness this same cycle at work in us.

"The Lord is good.  His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness
continues to each generation."  Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

A Heart Overflowing (Counting One Thousand Gifts, #195-204)

http://www.kevinmartineau.ca/

Here we are just a couple of days before Thanksgiving.  It seems the year has flown by again, and I'm reminded of how many times my mother cautioned not to wish my life away, that as I grew older it would go by faster anyway.  I've tried to heed her cautionary statement, but I truly believe this year has flown by so quickly because I've changed.

After reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, I was drawn into the concept of taking greater notice of the many things around me which were from God.  In turn, I began to realize that thanking Him daily made me feel better, made me a blessing to others as I shared this newness of gratitude I'd embraced.

Continuing counting with the One Thousand Gifts community:

195.  Sounds of stormy weather.
196.  Intercessory prayer life.
197.  Words and language, written and spoken.
198.  An evening with our small group from church.
199.  Mission opportunities.
200.  Quiet Saturday at home.
201.  Thanksgiving dinner with our church family.
202.  The arrival of our second great-grandchild, Everett William Ellis.
203.  Talking with great-granddaughter Kylie about her new baby brother.
204.  An unexpected visit from our eldest this morning.

Time to link up with the community --  see  you there!

A Double Scoop of Blessing on the Sabbath

Each Sunday morning during our worship service one of our pastors calls the children forward for their Children's Sermon.  Today it so happened that it was our Pastor Husband (we enjoy the benefits of a married couple pastoring our church).  Pastor Husband began by talking to the children about turkeys and what was the turkey's first name.  There were many shouts of "Tom!" (this just happens to be his first name too).  The message then turned to what they were thankful for today.

A soft voice came out of the crowd of children and said, "The sun!"  And today the entire congregation was in agreement with the little girl who'd uttered everyone's thanksgiving.  Living in the Pacific NW in late fall and winter means many days without the benefit of sunlight, and this morning we awoke to a strange occurrence.  A large bright orb was beaming down on our corner of the country, and yes, we were all blessed by its presence.  Thanks be to God for a child so small who recognized her gratitude and was able to speak to it.  So, this was scoop one.

Now, for scoop two.  Today our family has been blessed once again by new life.  Our second great-grandchild, Everett William Ellis, was born at midday weighing in at 7 lbs. 2 oz. and at 21" long.  A family photo shows him with his mom, dad and big sister, Kylie, who is already calling him Baby E.  Everett made his appearance in this big world about two weeks early but is doing very well.  We are so grateful today that God has provided this new life for our family to nurture and love.  Thanksgiving will truly be a day filled with thanks for Everett's safe arrival, his mom's good health, his dad's safe return from the Marines, and sister Kylie's love for him.

The gift of offering back to God our gratitude is one we all too often take for granted.  We should take time to notice not just the stunning things God places in our lives but also the tiny gifts along the way, the ones we most often overlook and thereby fail to offer up thanksgiving.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A Heart Overflowing (Counting One Thousand Gifts #7 (184-194)

The closer we come to Thanksgiving celebrations next week the more it seems we think about giving thanks and showing our gratitude.  Yet, we can count these blessings every day, and for me doing so has sharpened my senses to the many small things I often overlook as gifts from God.  This last week it's been impossible not to give thanks:

184.  Ann's writing of their Compassion International experiences.
185.  Compassion International and the work they do around the world.
186.  Freedoms fought for by our veterans and current military.
187.  Nature's fall decorations.
188.  Calls from our kids.
189.  My husband's slow, loving smile.
190.  Time with friends sharing a meal.
191.  Breakfast out.
192.  Mosaic seen in leaf-covered sidewalks and roads.
193.  Children singing and playing bells in church.
194.  God's incredible fall palette.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

A Heart Overflowing {Counting One Thousand Gifts #6 (172-181)}

Overflowing.

Full to the brim and more.

So very full.

Joyfully filled each and every day.

Filled with God's gifts to me, a sinner, flawed and damaged.  And yet He keeps on giving what I need and what brings me joy.

On Mondays, I link up with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience to count the gifts that have touched me in the previous few days.  So here goes:

172.  A good start to the week.

173.  A friend's slow but sure recovery back in Virginia.

174.  Another friend who keeps me updated on my Virginia friend.

175.  Husband and I working as a team to clean.

176.  Volunteers from our church traveling to Guatemala on a mission trip.

177.  My Bible study group.

178.  MOPS meeting with moms and seeing their little ones.

179.  All the volunteers that make MOPS happen.

180.  More new moms in our MOPS group.

181.  The amazing faith of the moms I'm mentoring this year.

182.  Relaxing time after meetings.

183.  Breakfast for dinner -- a favorite around here!

184.  Talking with each other about little things and big.

Won't you take the time to jump on over to A Holy Experience and read some of Ann's writings and to see who else is counting to one thousand gifts?  Maybe you'd like to join us!

Counting One Thousand Gifts #5 (160-171)

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

I look forward to Mondays.  Not many people think about looking forward to Monday.  For a lot of folks, it's the return to the work week, the school week, running kids here and there.  Mondays can be hectic for many.  For our household, my husband and me, retirement has made it possible to look forward to any day of the week.  The Sabbath is our favorite day, but I look forward to Mondays because it's the day I link up with Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience to count our gifts and blessings from the previous week.  Oh, I could do this on my own, but the accountability and the joy of seeing all the other folks' lists of blessings and thanksgivings is a joy!  Take a moment and come over to see what I'm talking about.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

160.  Morning devotionals together over breakfast.

161.  Laughter and tears as we remember the life of our dear friend, Bob.

162.  Joy of sending handwritten notes by snail mail!

163.  Planting winter pansies and violas.

164.  Reading Margaret Feinberg's Hungry for God.

165.  Reading The Blogger's Prayer (thanks to Ann for posting it!) (http://www.aholyexperience.com/).

166.  Lessons learned -- again!

167.  Celebration of Bob's life with his family and friends.

168.  Time spent with Bob's family enjoying memories and stories.

169.  Joy of worship and celebrating The Last Supper.

170.  Quiet Sunday afternoon.

171.  Monday morning and giving thanks!

Hope to see you over at A Holy Experience.



Counting One Thousand Gifts #4 (146-159)

Quote attributed to Johannes A. Gaertner
Graphic from Deb Fisher Designs
(http://debfdigiscraps.com/designs/?p=29)

Ah, to have the chance to touch heaven!  Johannes Gaertner to whom this quote is attributed must have had that opportunity.  How else could he write such grace-filled words for our eyes to read.

We have much to be thankful for and often get too busy to say thank you to the One to whom we should be offering our gratitude.  It isn't too hard to say thanks to the clerk at the grocery store, or to the doctor who has made our child whole again.  Nor is it difficult to say thanks at the table as we hold hands.  Why do we make it so hard to share our gratitude with Him at every opportunity. 

Here's my list:

147.  Serendipitous visit with Ava, one of my Sunday School girls.
148.  Healing for Julia's broken hip.
149.  Changing fall colors on our vine maple outside our family room window.
150.  Bob's patience with my pain and his own.
151.  Good doctors.
152.  Kylie' 3rd birthday!
153.  God's presence in m life.
154.  Beautiful moms and kiddos at MOPS.
155.  Holding baby Lillian for her mom.
156.  Joanne's amazing recovery!
157.  Mike's constant attendance to Joanne's needs.
158.  Claire and Madeleine, two of my little church girls.
159.  Beautiful life of Bob Hedberg, another angel now resident in Heaven.

I hope you'll join me today at Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience.  Just click the image below to come on over to Ann's!



http://www.aholyexperience.com/