This past summer a friend, and another, and then another suggested I check out Ann Voskamp’s blog Aholyexperience.com. So I thought I should. At the same time discovered she had written a book. A few trusted friends, who have similar passions in life as my own, posted thought provoking quotes out of her book and shared how it impacted their life. So, I was definitely intrigued. I went to trusty Amazon.com and bought the book.
Well, that was about 6 months ago and on my bookshelf in my bedroom it sits upright, patiently waiting. I have begun the book. I am about a third of the way through. The author writes with such depth, heart, and truth that I can digest only a bit by bit, but life changing, it has been. The words I have read resonate in my spirit as the Holy Spirit bears witness of the truth and applies it as a salve to my wounds still healing. It truly is a work of art holy, inspired by the living God to bring us deeper into communion with Him as we walk out our life on earth. Her blog, which I read almost regularly now, is a chronicle of her life, living what she has written. She is inspiring, to say the least.
Although so much more, the book, One Thousand Gifts, can be summed up to be a CALL to jot, pen, journal, list, type, or photograph 1000+ gifts God has given to us. Recording these gifts help us slow down and open our eyes to how God has lavished His love on us, so we may walk in His grace, possess a heart of gratitude, be filled with joy and dare to live fully right where we are.
For this recovering perfectionist, I see consistently counting my blessings, in a list that is tangible, as a prompting to take my eyes off the negative, my mind off of the faults I find, and all the wrong things I am focusing on, and begin to open my eyes and develop vision for all the genuine goodness that God has poured out to me, to us, in this life. It is an opportunity to practice Philippians 4:8…
Finally, brethren, whatever is True,
whatever is Honorable,
whatever is Right,
whatever is Pure,
whatever is Lovely,
whatever is of Good Repute,
if there is any Excellence,
and if anything Worthy of Praise,
Dwell on these things.
And so, occasionally I have and will continue to post my list of gifts I am counting and jotting and counting and capturing and counting and recording and counting. I hope you will be encouraged to begin lists of your own. I pray it becomes a way of life for us as a family and for you, and we never cease to recognize and count an infinite number of extravagant blessings bestowed on us from the One Who provides all.
Here are my previous posts…
Thankful…
Husband…
And here is the continued counting…
54. the crackling of leaves fallen under my feet
55. for nighttime talks on the front porch with my second oldest daughter
56. being able to genuinely laugh, when I could be really crying
57. toddler country girl who loves the outdoors and to play in the dirt, but still loves pretty dress and girly shoes
58. full tank of gas in my car
59. the limitless creativity of God
60. For God providing for even our wants because He takes joy in us
61. brother playing sweetly with toddler
62. a 12 year old daughter who still likes to snuggle
63. husband and I playing like children with our toddler at the park
64. and still feeling genuine joy over our 4th baby getting excited going down a slide
65. books that help me focus my vision
66. vacation’s end that brings new beginnings
67. and the sunrise that reminds of the promise of new mercies
68. for an aunt that somehow understands and makes me feel like I am not crazy
69. the clean smell of winter air
70. a husband who is a born problem solver and who turns into Superman in a crisis
71. a 17 year old daughter who still expects morning hugs
72. grandma coming home
73. sleeping baby
74. quiet moments in the busyness of the day that I can come away and meet with God
75. Him drawing near, when I do and even when I do not
To be continued…