Abundance

I've decided to partake in a gratitude experiment inspired by my friend, Stacey, at www.29lincolnavenue.com, who was inspired by Ann Voskamp's gratitude community. Ann's book is called One Thousand Gifts, a "dare to live fully right where you are." The idea to chronicle what I'm grateful for on a regular basis sounds challenging yet promising. Challenging because, let's face it, in the midst of long days marked by endless demands on my time and energy and countless reminders of how I fall short of being Christ-like, it's often difficult to pause and think of the amazing graces God is showing me every single day. Yet promising, too, because I am intrigued by how my heart will change when I actually take God at His word:

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." -Col. 3:15

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, "with thankfulness in your hearts to God." -Col. 3:16

So, once a week I'd love to document what makes my heart pause in gratefulness to God. I'd love to get to 1000, however long the journey takes. I'm eager with anticipation at how this discipline of being thankful will bear fruit in my life and how it will honor Christ and prayerfully encourage those around me.

Here I go:

Abundance

#1 My favorite little people. They are serious miracles, given by God.

#2 We are in the "bers," as I affectionately call the months of September, October, November, December. They are my absolute favorite months of the year.

#3 My mom and sister were able to visit for a week recently. Grateful that they were able to visit...it was a week of amazing food (thanks to mom) and uncontrollable laughter at moments (thanks to sis).

#4 I love my house. Thankful for Scott's parents for generously offering resources to help provide a place that our family enjoys, that is also conducive to the many ministry opportunities.

#5 I get to homeschool my kids. Yes, some days can be absolutely crazy, but what a privilege that I can stay home with my kids and that Scott and I get to be the main source of influence for them. It does not escape me that this isn't possible for everyone, even if they desired it, so I'm thankful .