Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
Two years ago, when Jaron was only 2 months old, I wrote this post. I decided to take on the challenge of writing down one thousand gifts from God. I could focus on the tragedy of what I felt my life had become or open my eyes fresh to what God had given me! I can't even begin to explain what a transformation and peace this process has brought me! Naming the beauty that God shows me every day is simply miraculous! I don't have to travel great distances or do great things. My life doesn't have to be put together, stable or even happy. My circumstances can be scary, depressing, overwhelming or downright horrific. I just have to look around me and see...
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| Photo by Staci Friant |
God is good and He is the Father of Lights giving us only good gifts, and I have received. Not just in a passing, "yeah, sure, whatever" kind of way. But rather, in a STOP. SEE. BE AMAZED. And then, WRITE IT DOWN, way.
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| Photo by Staci Friant |
Just the other day, I reached my goal of writing down 1000 gifts! My perspective has changed and I never want to stop naming the gifts! As I was finishing my list this week, I started reading the book again. I've recommended it to friends, bought it for birthday presents, lent my copy to sisters... It changed my life and I want to pay it forward!
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| One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp |
I'm a "journaler" for life. I have sweet childhood journals, silly teenage journals, traveling journals, wisdom for being a mama journals, journals to my kids, prayer journals, sermon note journals... And this most recent one is only the beginning, but I will cherish it and return to it often because sometimes I forget what God has done in my life. I get discouraged. I struggle to see the sunlight through the dark clouds. I lose my temper. I lose my hope. The winter is long. The bare trees expose the barrenness I feel deep in my bones. I feel lifeless, unproductive, unfruitful... Not because any of these things are true of me. I just lose sight for awhile. I need new eyes to see. Naming the gifts has given me new LIFE!
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| Sometimes I had to add some special pages to fit all 1000! |
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| But usually it looks just like this. |
"Life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change." Ann Voskamp
"Something always comes to fill the empty spaces and this is what I've come to do with the white space. I invite thanks." Ann Voskamp
A few of my gifts:
6. Feeling peace when my world is falling apart.
17. My leadership team at CBS. They have carried me in prayer to the very throne room of Jesus.
25. Finally opening the windows again after the cold winter.
33. Hand-me-down clothes from friends for my kids.
37. Haylee fills our home with constant singing.
40. God's timing. Though He won't reveal His purpose, I know His timing is perfect. Psalm 33:11
49. Clean clothes.
64. Family and friends who show up to help when the ambulance pulls up to our house.
108. 3 months with Jaron Matthew. He is so precious.
133. God alone is God. Not the doctors.
255. Blue sky, white clouds and green leaves.
318. Pain and sorrow that makes healing and joy so precious.
328. Taking my thoughts captive to obey Christ and realizing it's not easy.
358. Courage to keep hoping when all seems lost.
415. Thankful children.
422. TRUTH, even when it's hard and uncomfortable and I'm afraid.
473. The moon. Wow!
534. A date night with my little girls.
787. Reading to all 4 kids OUTSIDE! Beautiful day!
827. Lukas working hard with his Daddy.
907. A cup of coffee, a book and a lap full of my kids.
959. Always going on an "adventure" with Brian and the kids. Learning it's ok to not know what's next....
So, go get your own spiral bound notebook to lay open on the counter or tuck in your purse. Buy the book because it is so inspiring. Begin writing down the beautiful, amazing, difficult gifts that God has given you. Your life will be changed. Not necessarily your circumstances, but certainly your perspective.
One Thousand Gifts, I dare you...
