Gifts and Thankfulness

A number of my blogger friends have been posting running lists of gratitude - and many have been talking about the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (which I have not read - but it looks good and my friend Hippie Housewife is giving away a copy on her blog. Click here to enter the give-away!)

But I like the idea of being thankful, "stopping to smell the roses," and remembering the things in life - big and small - which are blessings.

I'm going to begin listing my "1000 Gifts" (or more?) on my blog here. I'm going to do this for two reasons.

1. I've noticed lately that I'm struggling with a sin I didn't use to struggle with: Pride. I find such ugly, arrogant, and conceited thoughts running through my head about who I am and my "accomplishments" and "abilities." I'm all for being confident and seeing yourself as valuable and full of worth - - but I think my mind has started to believe the twisted version of that - Satan coming once again to steal and destroy that which should be good. I think thankfulness directed to God will aid in keeping me humble.


2. One of the most profound spiritual disciplines I've ever done in life was to keep a daily journal of "God moments" - each night for a few months I recorded where I saw God working that day. He is indeed found when you seek Him. As the duration of that project went on - the places I saw Him continued to grow. As I list things for which I am thankful - I will strive to find those "God moments" as well - - though all of those may not be shared here on the blog.


And, so, here begins my list of Gratitude and Thankfulness - - a list of gifts.

1. Radio (as it's playing in the background right now) - as I've cut TV out of my life for the time being - I've re-discovered radio. There are some great stations in the Chicago area. Moody Radio, great stories and programs on NPR. And, while I'm not a big KLOVE fan - it's the Christian music option here and many times those songs bless me. (And there is also a decent country station for me and my Southern roots)

2. Curtains. After about 19 months of living here - I finally got curtains that cover my window. My sleep is so improved.

3. A Church community. I'm so blessed that God has lead me to a church where the Bible is studied and preached and lived out, where there are people who come together in community and encourage and challenge each other, and where there are places for me to serve.

4. A God who "settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children." (Psalm 113:9) I don't know how long I'll be in this job - and I talk to people on occasion who don't understand why I'm not striving for more in my career - but I am so content and fulfilled here.

996 more to come :)