Inspired by an often inspiring friend, I'm picking up the book, One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp, again. I read it the first time a few years ago and I fell in love with the content and style. The choice to re-read it was an easy one. Not an easy choice, was deciding to accept the challenge to make my own list of 1000 gifts. Mostly because a simple notebook and pencil don't seem like enough for this task. I've decided to blog along the way. I've also agreed (with myself) not to put too much pressure on myself to finish this list during the month of November. I'll finish when I finish. I welcome you to follow along, share your own gifts, or just leave a comment.
If you want to see Just the List, Nothing But the List you can.
November 6, 2014
"But, someone, please give me -- who is born again but still so much in need of being born anew -- give me the details of how to live in the waiting cocoon before the forever begins?...How do we live fully so we are fully ready to die?"
These are the words that most stood out to me yesterday. Yes, I am born again, but I don't really feel born ANEW most of the time. I feel like the same me who just knows better. You know how what I mean? Like, when you're a child and your parents say, "You know better than that," with a look of stern disapproval. I don't want to just behave better for God. I desire a closer relationship with Him, but yet not in the way I've longed for a closer relationship with others. Think back to when you first fell in love. From the moment you wake up, all you can think about is, "How can I get closer to ____? When will I see _____? What can I do for ___?" As I consider gratitude and being in THIS moment, really LIVING in this moment, I want to feel this kind of newness for God. I want to go back and fill in His name in all those blanks everyday.
November 3, 2014
"Our fall was, has always been, and always will be, that we aren't satisfied in God and what He gives. We hunger for something more, something other."
Although I really feel like I have a handle on my wants, I see this so much in my family. We aren't satisfied with enough, we want more. The STUFF in our home is evident of that longing. We see what others wear, the vacations they take, the restaurants they frequent and all of a sudden, more than enough is no longer enough. What God has provided for this family is waaaay more than enough. He's given us enough to give away to those who don't have enough. Through us, He can meet their needs. My take away for today is that enough is enough. No excess. No extra. Be satisfied because God is SO satisfying.
Inspired by One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. You can read my post about the list HERE, plus my lessons from the book.
1. Mornings, even with the rushing before school, I'd rather have this time, than not.
2. These girls, even with the bickering, I'd rather have them and hear this, than not.
3. News. Local or national coverage reminds me that my life is mostly AWESOME.
4. Morning sunrise when it meets interesting clouds.
5. Easy access to medical care.
6. Working from home, but blogging instead.
7. Slippers.
8. Being a grandma (DD, in my case) way before my time.
9. Being married to very handsome grandpa. (Papa John)
10. My first mammogram this year and it was free and clear. Have you had yours?
11. Hot tea with honey.
12. Good reasons to stay up too late.
13. More than one car.
14. Opportunities for my husband to do what he loves AND make some much needed extra money.
15. Friends that will work for creamer. You know who you are. ;)
16. Fresh boxes of possibility and FUN.
17. Children who are capable of making their own breakfast and packing their own lunch.
18. Being asked to "decorate" a toaster strudel. While they can do it themselves, it seems it is a treat if I write something fancy and draw a heart of two. I'm still needed.
19. New crayons. And a clean, fresh book.
20. Empty spaces.
21. My husband snoring next to me. Not the snoring as much as the next to me, but I'll take it. Because he's faithfully here instead of somewhere else.
22. Throat lozenges and tissues.
23. Pretty, painted nails.
24. A dry home.
25. The smell of sausage cooking.
26. Or bacon. I really like both. But today it is sausage.
27. Looking at old pictures.
28. This foot stool in my living room that came from Grandma Mullikin's house and is probably older than I am.
29. The quiet before they all wake up in the morning and peace after bedtime.
30. The chaos between those two times. Admittedly, easier to be thankful for when not in progress.
31. A husband who will do anything for me. Anything.
32. Watching my girls walk into school. Shoulder to shoulder. So close.
33. Driving through town late. Really late. When parking lots are empty and most things are closed. Peace.
34. Absolute silence. No music or tv. No electronic device hum.
35. Blankets right out of the dryer.
36. Kids that show you how to love. Unconditionally.
37. New recipes. Especially soup.
38. A husband who cooks. Really. Well.
39. When that daily devotion REALLY hits home.
40. Things checked off a to do list.
41. Friends that miss me.
42. Kids that walk through the door of my store and gleefully proclaim it to be the " best place EVER!"
43. Kids that ask really good questions.
44. Adults that ask really good questions.
45. That rare day when you can sleep in.
46. A husband that only knows how to work hard.
47. Moscato.
48. GREAT employees. They are giving with their time and their talents. Far exceeding what they are paid to do.
49. An entire day devoted to thankfulness. At home. With people I don't spend nearly enough time with.
50. The anticipation of something big.
