Last summer me and a few friends started reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I absolutely loved this book. In writing this book Voskamp wanted to share how she experienced a life of gratitude in the midst of everyday life. She posed the question, "What does a life of gratitude look like when your days are gritty, long, and sometimes dark? What is God providing here and now?" Its so easy to focus on the bad when your days are filled with deadlines, whiny children, bills, martial spats, a messy house, car troubles...the list goes on and on. And its so easy to forget all of the little blessings that make life so full and wonderful.
Voskamp started a list of all the things she is thankful for (her goal was to reach one-thousand,) and in doing so she discovered a life she always wanted, a life of deep and lasting happiness. While reading this book I decided I wanted to start my own journal, and so I began to list things I'm thankful for, with the same goal of reaching one-thousand. In the beginning I was very diligent. Whenever I saw or remembered something that made me smile, I would quickly jot it down in my journal. Here are a few examples. No judgement okay?
2. Watching my children discover new things
13. God's continuous forgiveness
33. A box of new crayons
36. Washing the floors and wiping down counters (its weird I know)
44. A letter from a friend
58. The joy of finally catching a fish after a long day at the lake
73. Hearing Samantha read for the first time
142. Calculators, because I'm horrible at math
192. Honest friendships - the ones where I can be candid, transparent and not feel judged.
Over time though I let the hustle and bustle of a busy life over take me, and I forgot all about my journal. It wasn't until just recently while I was purging all closets, shelves, cupboards (basically my entire house) that I came across my blue and white journal. I flipped through the pages and read my notes of thanksgiving, my eucharisteo. For those of you unfamiliar with this word, it means to be grateful, give thanks, be thankful. I forgot how good it felt to remember all these little blessings and happy memories. So I sat down once again and begin to list off item after item that I was thankful for. After about 20 minutes, I felt refreshed and at peace. A wave of contentment and bliss seemed to wash over me. Since then I have promised myself to make it a weekly habit.
No matter how rough the day or week I make the effort to find things I am thankful for. Some days its easy, other days I have to stretch my mind and think outside the box and look beyond today and into tomorrow. It has done my soul so much good! I have a deeper sense of happiness, less prone to snap at my children and husband, and I'm able to put things into perspective. Things that used to bother me, don't have the same effect on me. These are just some of the benefits I've seen since I started my journal. Of course its not the perfect solution. I still have moments of ingratitude and find myself wishing for things I don't have. Hey, I am human after all. I just want to challenge everyone who is reading this, to start a similar list. I promise you'll see amazing results, and its fun too. I'll leave you with a few more notes of thanksgiving, to hopefully inspire you and get your brain thinking along the lines of eucharisteo.
56. A full glass of wine
69. God's gift of creativity
86. The sound of crickets in the summer time
92. Giving a gift that you've put a lot of thought into
99. Snuggling William after he wakes up from a nap
154. Witnessing an elderly couple hold hands
248. Samantha's moral character, she even corrects me when I'm wrong
267. The smell of cilantro
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Moving on from 2013 to 2014.
I realized after reading my last post that I sounded way more cynical than I intended. I don't want to give people the wrong idea. I'm not a gloomy person, in fact I like to think I'm a glass half full kind of person most of the time. I guess what I was trying to get at is that 2013 presented itself with challenges that at times defeated me and got the best of me. Through my experiences I've learned that I need to change my perspective and realize that everything always works out. Sometimes not in the way you imagined, but God always works it out.
"We know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" Romans 8:28
I'm very hopeful and excited to see what 2014 brings. Over the last few months I've realized the importance of having an eternal perspective rather than a worldly perspective. It seems I've done Bible study after Bible study that teaches this very thought and just now I finally truly get it.
"In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by Gods power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the genuineness of your faith...May result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed...for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your soul." 1 Peter 1:3-9
That was a long couple verses to type, especially on the iPad, so excuse the dot dot dots, but I had to cut that one down :)
I want to make it my goal this year to remember our Heavenly inheritance He has provided, and that the trials we face will only mold and refine me into a better person. A person of stronger faith.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let your perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" James 1:2-4
These three verses really explain what I have learned and what I hope to keep with me through out 2014 and on.
On a lighter and fun note I thought I would list my top ten favorite moments of 2013 (in no particular order)
1. Camping - my dad was kind enough to give us his pop up camper to use this last summer, and we had a blast camping at different campgrounds with friends and family.
2. Samantha started kindergarten! Its so fun to see her interact with her classmates and it's a joy to watch her knowledge grow.
3. Going to Victor ID/ Jackson WY to visit my best friend Kacey. I love you and miss you!
4. Kacey getting engaged! Couldn't be more happy!
5. Realizing we want to extend our family and add another crazy kid to our already crazy family.
6. This one is kind of weird; successfully potty training William. Such a relief!
7. Having the best neighbors move in next door. They have quickly become our great friends and their children are our children's best friends.
8. Receiving word that World Market is finally coming to Missoula. This might possibly be Steve's nightmare.
9. Steve's new job that he started in February and has loved ever since. Plus he gets to work from home so me and the kids get to see him more, and he's always around when a spider needs to be put to death.
10. Surprising Steve on his birthday with a trip to Las Vegas.
11. (I know I said ten, but I can't leave this one out.) Being part of a Bible study that has not only taught me lots of Biblical truths and knowledge, but has produced amazing friendships that continue to encourage me and life me up.
Whew. I'm done writing. Happy New Year, again!
"We know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" Romans 8:28
I'm very hopeful and excited to see what 2014 brings. Over the last few months I've realized the importance of having an eternal perspective rather than a worldly perspective. It seems I've done Bible study after Bible study that teaches this very thought and just now I finally truly get it.
"In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by Gods power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the genuineness of your faith...May result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed...for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your soul." 1 Peter 1:3-9
That was a long couple verses to type, especially on the iPad, so excuse the dot dot dots, but I had to cut that one down :)
I want to make it my goal this year to remember our Heavenly inheritance He has provided, and that the trials we face will only mold and refine me into a better person. A person of stronger faith.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let your perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" James 1:2-4
These three verses really explain what I have learned and what I hope to keep with me through out 2014 and on.
On a lighter and fun note I thought I would list my top ten favorite moments of 2013 (in no particular order)
1. Camping - my dad was kind enough to give us his pop up camper to use this last summer, and we had a blast camping at different campgrounds with friends and family.
2. Samantha started kindergarten! Its so fun to see her interact with her classmates and it's a joy to watch her knowledge grow.
3. Going to Victor ID/ Jackson WY to visit my best friend Kacey. I love you and miss you!
4. Kacey getting engaged! Couldn't be more happy!
5. Realizing we want to extend our family and add another crazy kid to our already crazy family.
6. This one is kind of weird; successfully potty training William. Such a relief!
7. Having the best neighbors move in next door. They have quickly become our great friends and their children are our children's best friends.
8. Receiving word that World Market is finally coming to Missoula. This might possibly be Steve's nightmare.
9. Steve's new job that he started in February and has loved ever since. Plus he gets to work from home so me and the kids get to see him more, and he's always around when a spider needs to be put to death.
10. Surprising Steve on his birthday with a trip to Las Vegas.
11. (I know I said ten, but I can't leave this one out.) Being part of a Bible study that has not only taught me lots of Biblical truths and knowledge, but has produced amazing friendships that continue to encourage me and life me up.
Whew. I'm done writing. Happy New Year, again!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)