Gratitude: My 1000th Gift

For a little over a year now, I have been recording my gratitude list in this space on Mondays.

(If you haven’t read Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts yet, I highly recommend it.)

I have definitely noticed a difference in the times I keep my Gift List Journal out and visible and the times I let it slip into the mess of my life, usually the pile on my desk and or on the floor next to my bed. (It is my hope to be much more organized and NOT have piles in my new home. I’ll keep you posted on whether I am successful.)

My continuing goal is to have my gratitude journal in sight and open, ready for a new gift to be written down. Maybe on the kitchen counter or the dining room table.

Expressing gratitude is worship.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing

in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today, I record my 1,000th gift….

988. white tails bounding across dried soy bean fields in the early morning sunlight

989. arriving at Relevant and being recognized and hugged moments after stepping into the lobby, by someone who unknowingly played a part in my becoming a blogger, through her Tuesdays Unwrapped series.

990. time spent catching up with a few dear pastor’s wives, Melissa and Cyndi

991. My Relevant Roomate… and her black bean salsa

992. hearing Tsh’s testimony in person

993. Tsh’s current ministry, a much needed refuge for laborers on the front lines

994. hearing Joy Forney‘s keynote/testimony and meeting her in person

995. Deidra and Michelle– both blessings

996. hearing David Nevue LIVE

997. meeting him and his lovely wife Julie, such sweet people

998. receiving permission to use his quiet melodies here in this space- Yay! coming soon!

999. text messages from a dear friend, full of support, encouragement, and love

I am thankful that God brought the words of Ann Voskamp across my screen one day. She is one worth “marking”.

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.”

~Philippians 3:17

1000. Ann Voskamp– if it weren’t for her words, her blog and her book, this list would never have started – I have no intension of it ever ending.

I love seeing the world through the lens of her camera and the lens of her heart.

Her deep love for our Savior is such an encouragement to my hike with Christ.

Her passionate love for her husband and family is uplifting and edifying.

She and the Farmer have invested their time in prayer, for me and my family. Meeting her for the second time at Relevant this year and have her ask after how we are doing and how our family is means more to me than I can put into words.

The love of Christ reaches through Ann and wraps me in a warm hug.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for her friendship.

Linked up over at Ann’s today. Come on over and read some other Gift Lists… and start your own too!