Sunday, April 3, 2011

1000 Gifts




My lovely friend Renee from iMMERGENT brought a copy of 1000 Gift to church one saturday night. How wonderful, that the book, was a gift in itself.

I had a whole lot to read and another book seemed a little overwhelming. Yet, as a battled with the fatigue and challenges of having a young family, the tag line leaped from the book cover every time I saw the book on the end table. 'A dare to LIVE FULLY right where you are'.

I knew I wasn't living fully. I was discontent. I was complaining about little things. I knew this wasn't how I was meant to be living because I had lived fully in my life and it was clear to me that I had left that path. Something in my heart was holding me back now. I knew I wanted to live fully right where I was once again. To embrace the small things now. To be content. To break free from the depression, the ungratefulness that was permeating through every thought.

I am about 5 chapters in so far. Ann Voskamp knows what it's like to be a busy mom. To have more to do than time. To be giving emotionally continually and to feel drained. To be un-thankful.

She embarks on a journey to find God's gifts and grace in the ordinary everyday workings of life.

She has reminded me, that when you change your heart, to look for the good, for God's goodness, you will see it in everything. From the big things... an answered prayer, a new child to the small, a cool breeze on a hot day, colors reflected in soap bubbles.

Living life fully, is to be Thankful, and give God praise in ALL things. So, I accepted the challenge, to list 1000 gifts. To once again, give praise in all circumstances. To see the beauty in the gray, until the gray fades away and my heart looks for the rainbow, does not focus in on the clouds.

1. Friends, like Renee, sharing books.
2. Flowers. Mrs Leslie gave me the flowers to take home. I don't think she know how much I love flowers. I am not exaggerating when I say, my day is brightened and filled with emotion every time I see them on my table.
3. Little girl dancing to music, care free, twirling, skipping

6 comments:

  1. i am SO glad you are being blessed by the book! :) praying for you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i'm a new follower from the New Friend Blog Hop. I just love the photo behind your blog site. where is it from? its breathtaking.

    http://kellityusphotography.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good post. We do have to be thankful to God in all things.
    I am a new follower from the Finding New Friends weekend blog hop.

    JTwisdom
    http://bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great blog! I am now following from FNF Hop! Please stop by my blog and follow back ;)

    Inessa
    www.diaperstylememoirs.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the blog! It is always good to stop and listen to what you are saying and then listen to what God is saying and to be thankful for little things!! I am your newest follower from the finding new friends blog hop over the weekend. I am one of the hosts! Stopping by to say hi. Sorry for the delay in following I was out with the flu all weekend!! Hope to see ya on all my blogs :)

    http://myowngrocerygame.blogspot.com/

    http://firebutterflyjewels.blogspot.com/

    http://mommysmenuplanning.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi! Stopping by from MBC. Great blog.
    Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete