A few months ago, for my monthly contribution to No Hands But Ours, I wrote briefly about a friend who dropped by to bring me a book...and to tell me that they were beginning the adoption process to China.
Be still my heart.
We've known each other for 5 years and I adore she and her family. And to hear that they were stepping out in faith to bring a child home just made my heart nearly explode. I mean it. I just love it when people tell me that!
Anyway, the book she brought over to me was Anne Voskamp's, One Thousand Gifts. I had of course heard of it and had seen all of the hashtags on FB {which confuses the heck outta me since I'm no tweeter} about different things that had to do with the book. I have to admit, beginning it was hard. It's very wordy. You have to really think about it, in my opinion. :) Not an easy read for me. But I've stuck with it and am now enjoying it. And pretty convicted by it.
I don't stop and thank God for everything. My first excuse would be, "Who has the time?" But that sounds so immature and selfish. He IS the giver of all good things. He IS deserving of our thanksgiving. Of course He IS! I'm so very thankful for all He is and does and will do. I just am not so quick to tell Him.
That's all.
Or is it?
Is it that I'm too Kam centered and not nearly enough God centered? That's completely true.
Is it that I'm too lazy? You betcha.
Is it that I'm too busy? Ah. Well now, here's the crux of the issue I think. My idea of busy is bunk.
And another entire post could ensue from that question right there.
But whatever the reason, albeit a crummy one, I need to be grateful. And what's more, I need to tell Him and live a life that shouts how grateful I am.
Like Voskamp, I've begun my list. I'll be the first to admit, I probably won't hit 1000. Honestly, I think it may become a little legalistic for me. And the last thing I want to do is write an arbitrary list of 1000 obscure things. I don't notice bubbles in my sink while I'm washing dishes or the sun beams on my bed pillow.
Maybe that makes me a bad person. Maybe I'll get there over the course of my list.
Or maybe I just need to find balance between my everyday existence of caring for three {almost four!} beautiful children and a wonderful husband...and being grateful in the midst of it, for the little things. Not taking things for granted. Seeing the beauty in the mundane parts of my life...and being grateful to God for it all.
That's where I'm landing today.
1. grace
2. snuggling my children in the morning
3. the sound of the garage door when Jase comes home
4. hot tea all day long
5. the quiet in our home from 9am-10am
6. talking adoption with a dear friend on my front stoop
7. dark chocolate brownies made by Kennedy
8. easy off oven cleaner
9. hearing Joel be able to say "Sydney" instead of "Dough-ney"
10. Vidalia onions
11. sharing corn popped on the stove in bed with Jase
12. registering Syd for summer camp
13. three new photography session requests
14. reading Galatians with our babies around the kitchen table
15. a clean closet
16. friends who sit for our babies during a much needed date night
17. an ethical and always available adoption agency
18. playing corn hole with my family
19. a pastor who does not compromise
20. a husband who doesn't either
"...in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I Thess. 5:18
2 comments:
i've had this book for awhile- but just started reading it-- looking forward to it!
I have this book also and have had a hard time reading it as well, for the same reasons! I am a tea drinker, too :) My list looks very similar to yours, perhaps I'll pull the book out again and try once more!
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