Sunday, July 13, 2014

I will give thanks to You forever...


Next month I'll reach over five thousand in the journal where I write my list of thanksgiving.
This coming November it will be five years since I began writing my gratitude list down.
It has been one of the greatest tools in renewing the way I think,
in changing the way I see this life God has given me.
I realize now that there are always more things than can be numbered to be thankful for.
My desire is to give God my thanks forever.

******************
Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.
 I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my little black journal.
(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone) 

#4867-#4893

7-7-14
-fresh lavender


-the grandkids playing in the water in the backyard


-five year old granddaughter saying, "It's so good to be back at Nana's house!",
(as if she hadn't been here in oh, so long)
-oldest grandson trying to talk me into letting him spend the night
-the whole family together for a family dinner

7-8-14
-running in the cooler morning air
-a long overdue self grooming day - haircut, etc.
-such a beautiful evening
-a convicting devotional from the Sermon on the Mount (shereadstruth.com)


7-9-14-
-taking the two oldest grands to play in the river


-an unexpected bill, a broken down lawnmower - trusting God with our needs and wants
-a run in the cool of the evening

7-10-14-
-drinking my second cup of coffee while wandering around the backyard and watering the plants


-a rich, full, sweet time in God's Word
-praying together

7-11-14-
-meeting with a realtor, praying for God to make clear what He wants us to do
-popping in to see our youngest daughter at work
-watching a favorite movie at home and sharing some popcorn

7-12-14-
-a friend fixing my flat bike tire
-getting all of my to-dos done in time to go on an afternoon hike





-juicy, cold watermelon for dinner when it was too warm to want anything else
-the beautiful "super moon"


-an encouraging text from our girl

7-13-14-
-wonderful worship
-lunch with the two oldest grands while their mama took baby to urgent care
-the report from the dr. that grandbaby's fever and diarrhea is nothing serious
-he's two months old and weighs 8 lbs 12 oz (after being born 5 weeks premature and 4 lbs 9 oz)


gratefully yours,

http://www.aholyexperience.com





20 comments:

  1. beautiful list! I, too, have found so much richness in naming and writing down what I'm thankful for each day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This list of thanks just makes my heart leap! My favorite? "It's so good to be back at grandma's house." Too cute! Thanks for the beautiful photos that accompany your photos! Makes me want to lift up my hands and praise him too, looking at all of His glorious creation! Have a great week! ~ Jen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jen, you are a blessing! Thanks for your encouraging comment.

      Delete
  3. Thanks for sharing. My favorite blessing was your "grandson trying to talk you into letting him spend the night at your house." Did it work? Have a good week.

    Debbi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope, he didn't get to spend the night this time because I had a hair appt. the next morning!

      Delete
  4. Wow! Five years!! That's a great accomplishment. Not just for the years, but for the fact that you have dedicated yourself to the work of gratitude for this long. And yes, I used the word *work* intentionally, for sometimes we have to look for gratitude on purpose. The enemy would wish us to focus on the difficulties and sufferings - but most often, the grace of life is found in the small and wonder-full things.

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has been life-changing to count my blessings! Sometimes it flows so easily and sometimes it is work!

      Delete
  5. Your gratitude list is always amazing! I love seeing how God works in big - and small - ways in your life, dear friend.
    ~Adrienne~

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful Elizabeth. God is good! Thank you for sharing! Giving God thanks with you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. God is better to me than I deserve! (to quote Dave Ramsey)

      Delete
  7. I always enjoy your gratitude list. You can clearly see how continuing on with this practice has blessed you. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Counting my blessings has been life changing, Beth!

      Delete
  8. All those river photos make me want to grab a tube and float along. And that grandson is precious!!! Love those dreamy smiles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, friend! I love taking the grandkids to that spot on the river, it's not too deep, but with enough current to let us float along.

      Delete
  9. Not enough pretty words to describe this post. 5,000!!! Wow--so amazing!!!!

    Love the sparkle in your pictures and in your words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Julie. I appreciate your encouragement!

      Delete

The best thing about blogging is hearing from you!
I'd love for you to leave a comment! Click subscribe by email if you want me to be able to reply to you.