I am not easily shaken by "self-help" or devotional books, but I read one last year that shook me hard to the core. Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts shed a bright, searing spotlight on my heart's natural state of ingratitude and pride, and challenged me to practice thanksgiving daily and always.
So I took her challenge to actually write down 1000 gifts that my loving, Creator, Father God has already given me. Gifts that were big and small, hidden and in plain sight, happy and "difficult."
#997 Cat shadow thru the window shade.
#998 Nora's yummy "mm-mmms" for food
#999 Crayons, colors clutched in little hands.
#1000 The first spring crocus, deep purple to remind me in Lent.
It took me a year, and it has made such a difference in me that I started a new notebook this year with
#1001: No more Portland trips, at least for now! Peace while waiting for our little one.
#1002 A morning habit of reading our Bibles and drinking tea together
#1003 Elsa's bouquet of Lenten Roses for our windowsill.
This is very precious. I have been wanting to read this book for awhile. Now I definitely will. I like what you said in your latest post about life is not an emergency. I respond to life like it is a bunch throughout the day. Thanks for the reminder. Love you! And so glad you got to have a little retreat!
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