A new way of thinking has come over me recently. A wonderful, eye-opening way of thinking that makes me thankful. Thankful that God show me to look for the ways He loves me in every little joy and pain of life. Obviously not there yet, but the journey has begun...
I have enjoyed looking for the gifts God has given over the past 4-5 days, and I'm writing a list of at least 1000 of them I experience. Anything from laughing eyes, to my blue cell phone, to the sidewalk in my neighborhood, to the little boy full of imagination telling me a story.
I was inspired to do this challenge of gift listing as I read the book, "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are." It's a poetic masterpiece, that beautifully laces your walk with God, to everyday life. Making it almost impossible to feel blessed as you experience her worship sessions in her kitchen thankful for curls of cheese, freshly shredded, or the way the moon rose over the wheat field in the evening.
Contentment is something I lack usually in the area of wanting to be at a different stage in life, (to all you a smidge older than me, I know I'm crazy, it's my senior year of high school! Live it!). I'm realizing now, it won't be the same again really, freedom-no full time have-to-have-it job, scared boys, mom and dad and Anna and I all together at home, no "bills", no debt, a fun night at Mc Donald's after a Ridge game... I'm deciding to be content, and happy here in Waterloo Iowa, with my family, my interesting friends, . And I'm learning to realize I'm blessed beyond measure by the Maker every moment. It's crazy what you see when you're looking for gifts!
I would love to hear of all the ways you can think of that God has loved and blessed you. Write them down, ponder, and praise the Lord. Repeat.
