1106 Gifts

 Back on January 13, 2012 I wrote a post about the book, 1000 Gifts. This is what I posted that day:

In a new way God is reminding me of an old lesson in being content, to be thankful, to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, to be more thankful for what I have, what I can do than what I don't have or can't do.

Philippians 4:11, 12 says I have learned(and I have to say for myself, I am relearning Lord) how to be content with whatever I have.

Ann goes on to say, The secret to living joy in every situation is to learn how to be thankful, whether empty or full....Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: JOY!

And so this year, in 2012, I am choosing to write down 1000 gifts, 1000 things that I am thankful for. One thousand times to say thank you Lord for how you bless me. And one by one they change how I see my day.

#29 for 2012 is: the book 'One Thousand Gifts' which has made/helped me choose to daily give thanks.

Well looking back I did it! Except that some days I just had to write down more than just 3 gifts so I ended up with more than just 1000 for 2012! In fact, I ended up with 1106. An odd number I know, but that's just how the year went. It's all about looking for those things that change how I see my day. Like looking at the snow on the railing when we were visiting up north last week.

Some days the three gifts that I was thankful for were very obvious....

271...the beautiful rainbow after the storm
315...baby girl's giggle
403...'My going to miss you' from Lexi

But other days it was all by faith.....

510...God's all-sufficient grace even when I'm exhausted
633...gift of trust...I trust You Lord to show us they way!
727...My help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth Psalm 124:8
788...the pain
789...the fatigue
808...being reminded that Your strength is perfected in my weakness

So I am well into my second thousand gifts as I begin 2013. It's been an incredible journey of choosing joy and as I look forward, I am excited about what this year will hold. What will be in my journal when I look at it a year from now?

Are you daily finding things to give thanks for? If not, why not start now....it's never too late?