Sunday, January 29, 2012

Growing gratitude…

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I’ve had people ask me questions about gathering my gratitudes,

counting my thanks.

Doesn’t it feel artificial, phony, forced?

My response, yes and no.

It is, after all, totally against my fleshly nature,

the part of me that wants to mumble, grumble, and complain my way through life.

But sometimes you can fool nature,like forcing spring bulbs to grow before spring.

Put them in the right atmosphere, give them the right things, and they bloom out of season.

And this counting, it’s creating the atmosphere, feeding the mind the right things, (the lovely, true, good things),

and before you know it, totally against that old nature, you’re miraculously growing gratitude.

It’s a beautiful thing.

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I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little green journal…

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one grace wrinkled-

the Hubs and I growing older

one grace smoothed-

ironing the stack of cloth napkins and going back in my memory to when Mama taught me to iron

by letting me iron Daddy’s handkerchiefs

one grace unfolded-

an encouraging card in the mail

3 gifts found in Christ-

love

forgiveness

righteousness

3 things blue-

the Hub’s blue eyes

blueberries on my granola and yogurt

blue sky peeking out between the clouds on a rainy day

one grace borrowed-

the book Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning

one grace found-

my love of writing, photography, creating

one grace inherited-

quilts from Mama and Nana

a gift before 9a.m.-

waking up in the wee hours knowing I’m supposed to pray for a specific need

a gift before noon-

winter sun making the most beautiful light in the dining room

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a gift after dark-

sweet sleep in a warm house in a cozy bed

3 gifts that might have never been-

our marriage, because, by God’s grace, we didn’t quit during the tough times

our church, because, by God’s grace, we didn’t quit during the tough times

our home, a miracle of God’s provision

3 graces found in my friends-

sense of humor

giving

loyal

a song heard-

Walk in the Promise

a soft word-

a gentleman at church sharing about the Friend who sticks closer than a brother

where you saw light-

Holy Spirit revelation, insight, understanding into something in the Word

 

Gratefully yours,

Elizabeth


8 comments:

  1. Wonderful reminders to give God thanks for all things, the good and the difficulties. Thank you for this inspirational post.
    Mary Alice

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  2. Elizabeth, this is a beautiful list this week. I love the addition of the grace prompts.

    And I love what you said at the beginning about fooling your nature. Excellent.

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  3. I think that counting your gratitudes is a wonderful idea. It's a reminder that you can go back to any time; after all, our memories aren't perfect, and there might be days when we need to be reminded. I've been seriously considering a gratitude journal because of yours.

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  4. I love the comparison of forcing the bulbs. A great explanation. :) I just found your blog recently and am enjoying reading. :)

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  5. Such a beautiful post and blog.
    Thank you so much for visiting me and leaving such a sweet comment. I don't think there is a wrong or right, it is what we feel and if you are loving painting, then you are doing what you are supposed to be. :) Enjoy.
    xoxo

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  6. Your lists are powerful and inspiring--in fact, I'm joining you today.

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  7. What a sweet memory of your mama teaching you to iron! Love your gifts that might have never been. Beautiful list!

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  8. Love the way you explain giving thanks in the example of forcing a bulb to grow out of season. How our faith follows our actions. We might not feel like finding gratitude/giving thanks, but the very act of doing it, allows our faith to grow. Lovely, along with your list.

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