Sometimes what you need, what you want, what you desire, can't be wrapped up and put under a tree.
Sometimes you need something no human can give you.
Sometimes you need some
hope
or
joy
or
victory.
Way more effective than asking Santa for something under your Christmas tree
is asking your Father God for the things your soul needs.
Today, I asked, and before the morning was over, He answered in a very real way.
The kind of gifts that don't wear out or break.
**************
In 2012 I followed the prompts in Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare in counting my thanks.
In 2013 I'm going back to the way I did it in the beginning,
just noticing and recording the many extraordinary blessings in my ordinary life.
And so I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my little black journal.
(and capturing some of them via my camera or iPhone)
#4079-#4101
12-9-13-
-two little granddaughters who ended up in my bed
-her long blonde braid with a white satin ribbon tied on the end
-two year old granddaughter going to the grocery store with me and speaking a running commentary the whole time, "oranges!", "cereal!"
-all three of us napping
-homemade split pea soup with toasted croutons on top
-my new cup
-driving by the house with the best lights in our neighborhood
12-10-13-
-a great run on this cold day
-yummy leftover soup
-an ultrasound photo of our grand baby
12-11-13-
-meeting a blog friend for coffee
-no cancer in my brother in law's lymph nodes!
12-12-13-
-my nail tech for the past 8 years, giving her a Christmas present and her giving me a hug in return
-praying for a healthy grandbaby and safe pregnancy and delivery at prayer tonight
12-13-13-
-Friday date day!
-the Hubs helping me with Christmas shopping for my sons-in-law
-the two oldest grandkid's school concert
-going out for Dairy Queen peppermint blizzards afterwards
12-14-13-
-baking cranberry cinnamon bread
-watching White Christmas
-Joy to the World!
12-15-13-
-hope
-my soul magnifies the Lord
-friends
gratefully yours,
Join the community of gratitude gatherers here...
What a sweet list of gifts! I am in the 4000's too. I find giving thanks is a necessary way for me to begin each day...remembering the goodness of the Lord from the day before. Merry Christmas, Elizabeth! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad we are both counting our blessings together!
DeleteHow wonderful counting your many blessings! You are truly one blessed lady but we all are if we just look around....God is indeed good!!! Have a great day! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI am blessed...I didn't realize how much until I started noticing and counting!
DeleteThere are gifts I have this Christmas that words can't express. Some are gifts of the heart from the Father. Things that would go unnoticed or unappreciated if the pace of the season were at its usual rate. Slowing for the needs of my dear, little mother - and trying to keep home a refuge from the tasks at hand - has forced me to see things I would have missed. I hope you are going to share the recipe for that cranberry bread, my friend! It looks yummy.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
The recipe for the Cinnamon Cranberry Bread is listed under categories on my sidebar...hope you try it!
DeletePraise God that He knows what we need before we even ask Him, and that He delights to give good gifts to His children! May He continue to bless you richly!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laurie. God bless you richly this Christmas!
DeleteI always look forward to reading your gratitude lists. It is such and encouragement to me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDebbi
And you encourage me as well!
DeleteMy only resolution for lack of a better word in 2014 is for God to open my eyes to my many blessings. And I will begin counting again and this time I won't stop. I LOVE your new mug!
ReplyDeleteCounting my blessings really has been life changing!
DeleteIt's amazing how the ordinary is truly extraordinary . You have a lovely list of blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you Monica!
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