It's funny that Heather wrote of her gratitude list this week seeming centered around her senses, especially food. I was going to write the exact same thing about my list! Once I noticed that many of my blessings were food-related, I tried to expand my vision a bit. Food is lovely and wonderful (especially when I'm pregnant) but there are definitely more things to be thankful for.
After completing my final week of teaching, it was hard not to write "MATERNITY LEAVE, SO GRATEFUL!!!!" over and over in my gratitude journal! I really love being a music teacher, but these past few weeks have been exhausting. I am definitely ready for a break as I prepare for and enter the transition into motherhood.
The Psalms have been drawing me in lately. They make a huge connection between seeing God's character better and falling into praise and thanksgiving because of it. What a beautiful cycle: I call upon the Lord, find anew that God is truly good, glorify Him in gratefulness, draw closer to Him in love... call upon the Lord, find anew that God is good, glorify Him in gratefulness, draw closer in love...
O Lord, I am your servant... you have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
~ Psalm 116:16-19
41. Green knitted class cozy
42. Handmade bracelets from a sweet student
43. Internet access right in my own home
44. The neighbors strumming guitar and singing on their porch
45. Blue and brown yarn on my knitting needles
46. New clover blooming in the grass
47. Thank-you notes to write
48. Five seasons of the Antiques Road Show for free online
49. Parking underneath shade trees in hot temperatures
50. Mother sparrows feeding their babies at our feeder
51. Crunchy apples to satisfy my fresh fruit craving
52. June, July, and August of no teaching!
53. Books on tape gifted for the Little One; memories from my childhood re-awakened
54. Home-made strawberry smoothie for breakfast
55. Comfy brown skirt that fits no matter how big my tummy gets
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Taste and See that the LORD is Good
It seems like a lot of my list this week was centered around my senses, especially food. There is a sense in which too much of my life is centered around food, or around my own desires, my wants and whims. So, I've been thinking about the idea of self-denial, of blinking the sleep from my eyes in order to see better what has already been given. Maybe even to see what I am lacking and must open my hands for the Father to fill. Yet, I also see here little tastes of what is good and beautiful... of God's greatness, goodness and generosity to our creature-ness...
...a glass of wine at the end of a hard day...
...the spicy smell of basil plants...
...thirty-six years of my family (Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!)...
...the sharp bite of crunchy gingersnaps, memories of my Mimi...
...opening a new book...
...the spicy heat of salsa and pork...
...giving good gifts to dear friends...
...a good movie late on a Friday night...
...morning coffee with Lyssa, excitement for Pip's arrival...
...walking long distances again after resting my sore knee for many weeks...
...His body and blood are real yet spiritual gifts, the mystery of His table...
...encouragement to prepare for difficulty, to to grow strong in the Lord...
...rest...
...the smell of apricots ripening...
...God's Word, the power of life and death, resting in my hands...
...the smell of freshly baked chocolate cake...
...a glass of wine at the end of a hard day...
...the spicy smell of basil plants...
...thirty-six years of my family (Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!)...
...the sharp bite of crunchy gingersnaps, memories of my Mimi...
...opening a new book...
...the spicy heat of salsa and pork...
...giving good gifts to dear friends...
...a good movie late on a Friday night...
...morning coffee with Lyssa, excitement for Pip's arrival...
...walking long distances again after resting my sore knee for many weeks...
...His body and blood are real yet spiritual gifts, the mystery of His table...
...encouragement to prepare for difficulty, to to grow strong in the Lord...
...rest...
...the smell of apricots ripening...
...God's Word, the power of life and death, resting in my hands...
...the smell of freshly baked chocolate cake...
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Renewing My Strength
Even after reading a review that expressed several hesitancies about Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts", I still believe that there have been more benefits than detriments in following her journey, at least for me. The best and foremost thing that has come from reading her book is my increasing awareness of how very much I am blessed every day. Always keeping on the lookout for what I can give thanks turns me towards the One Who Blesses. As a result, I am more drawn to pursue my relationship with Him. I want to see His goodness and love in all of my life, not just at church on Sunday morning or when I'm reading my Bible or when I'm feeling particularly "holy". What a joy to see God's hand in the little and the large!
My life right now is full of good things. Cultivating a life of gratitude is one of the many ways the Shepherd can use to gently lead me in paths of grace when times get rough, as I know they will at some future point. Nobody's existence is perfect or easy. I thank the Lord for the times of peace, though, when He renews my strength with blessings.
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.
But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles;
They shall run and not grow weary;
They shall walk and not faint.
~ Isaiah 40:28-31
26. Our first printer/copier machine
27. Frozen York Peppermint Patties
28. Basil growing in my herb pots
29. Husband studying the book of Joshua at the men's group
30. Guitar ensemble's final concert of the season at the retirement community
31. Clear notes from the mandolin
32. Baby birds singing to be fed in their nests
33. Air conditioning in the car
34. Happy dreams about the baby
35. Not having to set a wake-up alarm
36. Pancakes with boysenberry syrup
37. Last week of teaching before maternity leave begins
38. Conversation with my love during breakfast
39. The blessing of memorized Scripture
40. Friendly dog at Starbucks
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Little Things
Thankfulness for unexpected and mundane things this week...
... the feeling of completion and contribution at the end of a work week...
... the dappled and speckled red, orange, and yellows of a fresh peach...
... clean water to drink, ice water to quench deep thirst...
... sharing yard work with my dad in the dusky evening...
... a sweet gift of local honey and a hand-knit jar cozy to cover the jar (I'll drink my water and honey-tea from the jar once it's empty)...
... the feeling of completion and contribution at the end of a work week...
... the dappled and speckled red, orange, and yellows of a fresh peach...
... clean water to drink, ice water to quench deep thirst...
... sharing yard work with my dad in the dusky evening...
... a sweet gift of local honey and a hand-knit jar cozy to cover the jar (I'll drink my water and honey-tea from the jar once it's empty)...
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Journey Into Joy
"There it is- the secret to living joy in every situation, the full life of eucharisteo... I would have to learn eucharisteo- learn to live it fully. Learn it like I know my skin, my face, the words on the end of my tongue. Like I know my own name. Learn how to be thankful- whether empty or full. Could the list teach me even that hard language? Over time? Gratitude in the midst of death and divorce and debt- that's the kind of language I've got to learn to speak- because that's the kind of life I'm living, the kind I have to solve. If living eucharisteo is the key to unlocking the mystery of life, this I want. I want the hunt, the long sleuth, the careful piecing together. To learn how to be grateful and happy, whether hands full or hands empty. That is a secret worth spending a life on learning." ~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
This year has been a journey for me into the meaning of Trust. Although I have been learning how to trust in many different ways, the main focus has been giving up my worries, fears, and pride so that I can come to fully trust in God. Because when I try to rely on my own weak, foolish self, nothing really works out well in the end. What is the point of learning Trust? To find relief from fear by relying on God's strength. But even more than that, to experience fullness of joy. Only love and perfect trust can bring true joy. I don't seek to replace fear with a feeling of power or dominance. Instead, I want to encounter the kind of joy that Paul talks about in Philippians 4:
"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ."
Not be anxious about anything? That sounds wonderful. Complete, utter peace? That sounds even better. I want to "live fully", as Ann Voskamp writes, by letting go of my failures and worries. Rejoicing is a way of reaching with both hands for love. Joy comes from experiencing love. What kind of things should occupy my mind, then, if those are the sort of thoughts I wish to occupy my heart and mind with? Paul goes on:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
The Lord of Hosts meets these standards completely as nothing else can. However, there are many small things in this life that can give us just a tiny glimpse of the joy yet to come. Learn to place my Trust in God... let Him take away my fears... draw closer to Him through prayer and the Word... taste the depths of His love... and WITH THANKSGIVING come to Him. That is the definition of eucharisteo: "thanksgiving", also combining the Greek words "charis", grace, with "chara", joy. Thanksgiving brings gratitude, which turns me back to the One Who Provides.
This list of a thousand blessings, big and small, is part of my Trust journey. It is a delving deep into giving thanks for grace, blessings, so that I may draw closer to the Source of Joy.
1. Cold, clean drinking water in my sink
2. Windows open for spring breezes
3. A friend who is set on fire for shared gratitude
4. New bathroom floor that doesn't leak
5. Sleeping in on a Friday morning
6. Chipmunk friend on the back porch
7. Beautiful mother visiting for Mother's Day weekend
8. Forest-friends themed bedroom for the baby-to-come
9. Extra income from the garage sale
10. Closets and rooms cleared of junk
11. Family helping in times of need
12. Fresh blueberries in pancakes
13. Sharing words during church about God's grace in transitions
14. New orange-autumn paint on the wooden toy box
15. Sauteed onions sizzling in the cast-iron pan
16. Nursery all prepared for the little one, just waiting to be occupied
17. Antique store treasure hunts (successful)
18. Celtic green place-mats
19. Apple juice with ice when I am parched
20. Substitute teachers for my guitar students during maternity leave
21. Cool early mornings in May
22. Biographies of true Christ followers
23. My favorite black pen
24. Husband sleeping peacefully
25. Sweet flavor of Ovaltine for a glass of milk
This year has been a journey for me into the meaning of Trust. Although I have been learning how to trust in many different ways, the main focus has been giving up my worries, fears, and pride so that I can come to fully trust in God. Because when I try to rely on my own weak, foolish self, nothing really works out well in the end. What is the point of learning Trust? To find relief from fear by relying on God's strength. But even more than that, to experience fullness of joy. Only love and perfect trust can bring true joy. I don't seek to replace fear with a feeling of power or dominance. Instead, I want to encounter the kind of joy that Paul talks about in Philippians 4:
"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ."
Not be anxious about anything? That sounds wonderful. Complete, utter peace? That sounds even better. I want to "live fully", as Ann Voskamp writes, by letting go of my failures and worries. Rejoicing is a way of reaching with both hands for love. Joy comes from experiencing love. What kind of things should occupy my mind, then, if those are the sort of thoughts I wish to occupy my heart and mind with? Paul goes on:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
The Lord of Hosts meets these standards completely as nothing else can. However, there are many small things in this life that can give us just a tiny glimpse of the joy yet to come. Learn to place my Trust in God... let Him take away my fears... draw closer to Him through prayer and the Word... taste the depths of His love... and WITH THANKSGIVING come to Him. That is the definition of eucharisteo: "thanksgiving", also combining the Greek words "charis", grace, with "chara", joy. Thanksgiving brings gratitude, which turns me back to the One Who Provides.
This list of a thousand blessings, big and small, is part of my Trust journey. It is a delving deep into giving thanks for grace, blessings, so that I may draw closer to the Source of Joy.
1. Cold, clean drinking water in my sink
2. Windows open for spring breezes
3. A friend who is set on fire for shared gratitude
4. New bathroom floor that doesn't leak
5. Sleeping in on a Friday morning
6. Chipmunk friend on the back porch
7. Beautiful mother visiting for Mother's Day weekend
8. Forest-friends themed bedroom for the baby-to-come
9. Extra income from the garage sale
10. Closets and rooms cleared of junk
11. Family helping in times of need
12. Fresh blueberries in pancakes
13. Sharing words during church about God's grace in transitions
14. New orange-autumn paint on the wooden toy box
15. Sauteed onions sizzling in the cast-iron pan
16. Nursery all prepared for the little one, just waiting to be occupied
17. Antique store treasure hunts (successful)
18. Celtic green place-mats
19. Apple juice with ice when I am parched
20. Substitute teachers for my guitar students during maternity leave
21. Cool early mornings in May
22. Biographies of true Christ followers
23. My favorite black pen
24. Husband sleeping peacefully
25. Sweet flavor of Ovaltine for a glass of milk
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Open Places in Which to See
"With memories of gravestones, of combing fingers through tangled hair, I wonder too... if the rent in the canvas of our life backdrop, the losses that puncture our world, our own emptiness, might actually become places to see.
To see through to God.
That that which tears open our souls, those holes that splatter our sight, may actually become the thin, open places to see through the mess of this place to the heart-aching beauty beyond. To Him. To the God whom we endlessly crave." From Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts.
One of the Big reasons I wanted to start this project was because of this quote. Because this has been a soul-wrenching year in which I have seen the truth of what Voskamp writes. That the deep, dark places that seem scary and fearful are in fact places where we can see the grace of God. That is something for which I am truly thankful. I didn't think that I could be thankful for the heartache and pain... but this turns out to be a good place in which to see...
... the color orange...
... the possibility for joy in dark places...
... the beauty of honeysuckle dancing on the air...
... soul-nourishing laughter shared with good friends...
... the delight of curling up in a warm bed...
... the wonder of chickens...
I look forward to seeing and experiencing so many more things in which to delight and give thanks!
To see through to God.
That that which tears open our souls, those holes that splatter our sight, may actually become the thin, open places to see through the mess of this place to the heart-aching beauty beyond. To Him. To the God whom we endlessly crave." From Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts.
One of the Big reasons I wanted to start this project was because of this quote. Because this has been a soul-wrenching year in which I have seen the truth of what Voskamp writes. That the deep, dark places that seem scary and fearful are in fact places where we can see the grace of God. That is something for which I am truly thankful. I didn't think that I could be thankful for the heartache and pain... but this turns out to be a good place in which to see...
... the color orange...
... the possibility for joy in dark places...
... the beauty of honeysuckle dancing on the air...
... soul-nourishing laughter shared with good friends...
... the delight of curling up in a warm bed...
... the wonder of chickens...
I look forward to seeing and experiencing so many more things in which to delight and give thanks!
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