In Ann Voskamp's book, "One Thousand Gifts," she challenges the reader to find blessings in everyday events. There is so much more to this, and I recommend the book to anyone who truly wants to embrace a life of gratitude. Ann's suggestion for the first day of January is to recognize "3 gifts heard." I am listing my "three gifts" below, along with something I saw today that made my heart smile. (I wish I could post photos to illustrate each point, but I'm having camera difficulties. I hope to be able to add photos later.)
My Three Gifts Heard
1. Leaves rustling on the trees... small, brown sentries that refused to leave their posts despite the harsh winter winds that made victims of most of their comrades... and I am reminded to hold onto my Saviour no matter how hard the winds of life blow.
2. A canine's "song"... Harley is a dog who appeared out of nowhere one day and walked straight into my heart. His love is unconditional, and the excitement he feels when he sees me is illustrated through his happy sounds (song!) and body language. Again, I am reminded of my relationship with the Lord, and how I need to be "making a joyful noise unto Him" every day. Am I as excited about spending time with God as Harley is about spending time with me?
3. My husband's voice... as the new year arrived, and he wished me "happiness," I realized what a comfort his voice, his presence, is to me. I pray I will never take my husband for granted and that God will help me be the wife described in Proverbs 31.
Lastly, and as I stated at the beginning, I must share something I saw that truly did make my heart smile today. As I watched the birds at the feeders this afternoon, I noticed one feathered friend on the snow-covered windshield of our van, which was parked close to the feeders. As he scratched through the snow on the glass, he moved up and down as though he were dancing. His actions were entertaining, and his dance left little bird tracks all over the window. The combination of his movements and the trail he left behind was evidence to me of a God who loves me enough to provide reminders through the things He knows are dear to my heart.
I pray that 2014 is full of God's love and an abundance of things that make your heart smile.
In gratitude...
~Rebekah
What are gratitude glasses? I'm glad you asked! ;-)
Gratitude
glasses are a must-have when life gets a bit too overwhelming. When
it's easy to forget life's blessings because it feels nothing is going
right, gratitude glasses come to the rescue. When it seems there's a
constant rush to "put out fires" just to survive, gratitude glasses can
save the day once again. And when a friend or loved one is simply being
unbearable, popping into view wearing gratitude glasses can bring laughs
all around.
Gratitude
is an attitude, and having a reminder to focus on the positives in life
is sometimes necessary. That's what gratitude glasses do for me; they
remind me to be intentional about finding the good in life. Whether I
put them on or simply see them from afar, they bring a smile to my face
and cause me to take a moment to reflect on things for which I am
grateful.
So looking through my gratitude glasses at this moment (no kidding!)... I am reminded of three of the blessings that touched my heart today...
1. Gratitude glasses and what they represent - including the women's ministry group that brought this blessing into my life! (My husband noticed my glasses on the table when he got home from work today; he put them on as he greeted one of our cats. Who knows what the cat thought, but my spouse and I were both laughing - an unexpected blessing!)
2. Wild
birds at my feeders outside - bringing music and happiness into my
days... especially when my feathered friends trust me enough to approach
the newly-filled feeders when I'm still standing close to them. And
when birds in flight eat from my hands, it's as though God Himself has
smiled on me.
3. Wet, snowy
clothes piled near the front door - a reminder of my younger son who is home from college for Christmas break... and my heart is flooded with joy because he chooses to be here, and he chooses to share this space we call home with a friend who knows us and loves us like family despite our shortcomings... and they are still not
too old to go sledding... giving this mother's heart a much-needed trip down memory lane. Albeit bittersweet, I am grateful for precious memories of yesteryear, the joy of the present moment, and the amazing young men connected to yesterday, today, and (by the grace of God) tomorrow. I am so proud of these maturing adults who will forever live and play as little boys in the hidden places of my heart... despite the passing of time.
So tonight I challenge you to get a pair of gratitude glasses, and use them to remind yourself (and those around you!) of the beauty life has to offer!
In gratitude...
~Rebekah
