One Thousand Gifts (Part 1)

I've been reading Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, and have felt compelled to begin my own list of 1,000 gifts from God for which I will give Him praise.  Most of the items on this list will be simple things I notice throughout each day, but as I am reminded of the blessings that continue to flow from gifts given in the past, I may also record gifts that impacted me most in the past.  As Ann shares in her book, I want to life a full life of eucharisteo (with grace, thanksgiving, joy).

Too much of my life has been an endless striving for more, a frantic rushing from one chore to the next, desperately trying to check off every item on my to-do list, so I have likely failed to notice many of God's glorious gifts all along the way.  I've always known I needed to slow down, be fully in each moment, and cherish all that God gives.  I've even asked the Lord to free me from this type A personality even though that does seem to be how He made me, and He can use it for His glory when led by His Spirit.  I never realized the key to dramatic life change could be so simple.  While I've always known how important is it to be thankful, I'm learning how transformational it can be when incorporated at the core as the full triune eucharisteo.  As we look for the gifts and take time to thank Him, then time slows and joy gushes.  As soon as I began my 1,000 gifts project, my entire perspective on life changed as God's grace emanated as joy in my life.  Feel free to join me in listing your 1,000 gifts.  It really will transform your life!

"It takes a full 20 minutes After your stomach is full for your brain to register satiation. How long does it take your soul to realize that your life is full? The slower than living, the greater the sense of fullness and satisfaction." -Ann Voskamp

1. My husband's gentle goodbye kisses on my neck each morning while I slumber.
2. My son's lingering hug yesterday morning before we left for school as he said, "I don't ever want to leave you, Mama."
3. A small gift, wrapped in dainty paper, waiting for me beside the salon chair, from my hairdresser, given for no reason other than to show thoughtfulness to a like-minded client.
4. The sight of my husband walking into the house late last night wearing one of his sophisticated suits (which makes him look so dashing), a weary look on his brow (following a long hard day at work followed by several hours of choir and praise team practice), and a playful smirk on his lips.
5. Being scolded by my son as I admired his perfectly curled long eyelashes, thick symmetrical eyebrows, and flawless, smooth skin. I muttered something foolish like, "God made you a whole lot prettier than me," and he replied, "Don't you say that.  God makes everything good."
6. Waking up this morning as my beloved little boy jumped into my bed, wrapped his arms around me, and cried, "Happy Valentine's Day, Mommy! I love you!" 
7. The whirring sound of Martha, our iRobot Rooma, vacuuming the floors while I, like Mary, sit quietly at the feet of Jesus in Bible study and prayer. (Luke 10: 38-42)
8. The love and enthusiasm my children have for school and learning.
9. A doctor I can trust who, understanding how fearfully and wonderfully God created the body to heal itself, knows how to best promote natural healing yet still takes time to pray over me because he knows that ultimately, God is the one who gives the power and wisdom to heal.
10. As we are preparing for a trip to the mountains to visit some college friends, I am reminded of the last time I saw one such friend.  "B" had been like a big brother to me in college and a role model for evangelism, Bible study, worship, and prayer.  I graduated in May 1995 and moved over eight hours away before settling in a different state over four hours from our university.  In April of 1997, a running companion was wanting to move our relationship from friendship to courtship.  While I enjoyed all the lavish attention this older, successful gentleman bestowed upon me, I sensed the relationship was not God's will for me.  So I wrote a prayer in my journal asking God to remove all desire to date him if he was not God's plan for me. The very next day, B "just happened" to be in town (yes, my city of residence, over four hours away from his apartment home).  We spent almost the entire day together.  Hanging out with my big brother in the Lord was so refreshing and was clearly God's answer to my prayer, as I was fully reminded of how fellowship with a spiritual leader and man of faith should look and feel.  All attraction to the older man had completely vanished by the end of that day.  It was as though God, knowing in advance what my prayer would be and seeking to protect His child, had already made arrangements for B to be in town as a direct and immediate answer to my prayer.  A few years later, when the man who would become my husband came to visit me in that same city, I was still single, available, and looking for a Godly man who fit his description.  The last time I saw B was almost 16 years ago when he rescued me from the wrong man without ever realizing it.  I'll have to share that story with him when we visit.  Thank you, God, for answering our prayers....
11. ...and for faith filled friends like B.