Ever said that. Yup, me too. Often.
I'll be happy when we have vacation.
I'll be happy when we get back into a routine.
I'll be happy when the the snow melts.
I'll be happy when mud season is over.
I'll be happy when it's cooler.
I'll be happy when we have a child.
I'll be happy when it's quieter.
I'll be happy when we have another child.
Today in my browsings of blogs, I was reminded of the troubles that come when thinking this way. My happiness is so often focused on my surroundings and circumstances. My emotions are directly related to what is happening, and my sense of well being is directly correlated to how much things are going according to my plans. But this is not what God says He wants for us. He wants to give us joy that is based on Him not on our circumstances. He wants us to look beyond the messes in life to see the potential of all things to speak of His grace and glory.
I don't have to wait to be happy. I can choose right now to be joyful. This happens when I take my eyes off of my, my expectations, my schedule, my ways, and turn to look at Him. I can look to His truth. The truth that He is good. He is love. He is steadfast. I can look at the situations and circumstances and see through them to the opportunity to what He can do in them.
I want this deep abiding joy, don't you? So instead of I'll be happy when, I'll choose to count the blessings I see. And I'll turn over that I'll be happy when and ask Him to carry the situation in His hands and give me joy now.
I'll be happy now for...
113. Being warm and dry on a wet slushy day
114. Time to read
115. Crystal branches in sunlight
116. Fresh air and blue sky
117. God's forbearance
118. Cute three year old train conductors punching tickets for stuffed animal passengers
119. Whisper of falling snowflakes
120. Familiar Bible verses and speak like old friends
121. Little Man in high water pants
122. Provisions in the form of cardboard
123. Maple syrup pancakes
124. Breakfast together as a family with sausage and biscuits too boot!
125. Love for Christ's bride
126. Bed time----ahh sweet bed time!
Showing posts with label 1000 Gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1000 Gifts. Show all posts
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
On a day when the world around us celebrates love,
should we,
the ones who know Love,
who have experienced the redeeming Love,
who are called to love,
should we not take time to count the ways He loves us.
And oh how He loves us!
Counting God's Love Gifts for Me:
71. An evening to laugh and talk with ladies at church
72. A warm bowl of black eyed peas (a dish my husband greatly enjoys)
73. Snowshoing with family just after a fresh snow
74. A weary body after good day's work
75. Fllicking a switch and having lights go on
76. Son asking, "So what do you love about today?"
77. A friend who knows you
78. Being able to choose even what kind of toilet paper we use
79. Little man sandwiched on couch between two friends of mine who choose to love us with the nearness
80. Hot coffee waiting for me in the morning
81. Being blessed with physical health so that I can clean things
82. My husband's kiss
83. Little Man wrapping his arms around my neck to hug me during worship time at church
should we,
the ones who know Love,
who have experienced the redeeming Love,
who are called to love,
should we not take time to count the ways He loves us.
And oh how He loves us!
Counting God's Love Gifts for Me:
71. An evening to laugh and talk with ladies at church
72. A warm bowl of black eyed peas (a dish my husband greatly enjoys)
73. Snowshoing with family just after a fresh snow
74. A weary body after good day's work
75. Fllicking a switch and having lights go on
76. Son asking, "So what do you love about today?"
77. A friend who knows you
78. Being able to choose even what kind of toilet paper we use
79. Little man sandwiched on couch between two friends of mine who choose to love us with the nearness
80. Hot coffee waiting for me in the morning
81. Being blessed with physical health so that I can clean things
82. My husband's kiss
83. Little Man wrapping his arms around my neck to hug me during worship time at church
Monday, February 7, 2011
By the Numbers
Sometimes counting blessings takes discipline. Sometimes it takes stopping to really look and take things in. Sometimes counting blessings is easy and the blessing come swooshing over you like a wave of love or a blizzard that blankets all in sight.
Whatever the situation, I'm going to count by the numbers and praise my God.
This week's numbers- #57-70
57. Spontaneous hugs and kisses from Little Man
58. Music and books making room time a fun time
59. Three year old ways- Little House on the Prairie being called Little House and the Fairy
60. Candles glowing on dark winter nights
61. Words that strike the heart and bring light like a match struck in the darkness
62. A steamy bowl of oatmeal on a snowy winter morn
63. Snow covering houses like icing and dusting trees like powdered sugar
64. Sun shining through skylights and brightening rooms after a storm
65. Searching God's Word for truth and finding precious pearls
66. The serenity of a boy taking an afternoon nap
67. A boy and a father taking an afternoon nap (on a different day from #66) and the hush of the house at this time
68. A family of "mice" under the blanket in the "mouse house"- and giggles of a three year old delighting in Mom and Dad playing along
69. Young women seeking to follow God in a world that threatens to trip them up, load them down, or hush the desire in their hearts
70. Simple joys in a church nursery as hands explore and play, hugs are given, and stories read
Monday, January 31, 2011
A choice
Daily I have a choice. (Actually it's more of a moment by moment thing...)
I can look at what I don't have or at what I have.
I can look at what is lost or what is found.
I can look at what's missing or what is present.
I can lament what is lost or give thanks for what is given.
I'm going to to choose to give thanks. Now don't think that this is an easy thing. At the current moment I'm not feeling very thankful. I know in my head that I have ever so much to be thankful for. I know that without all God does I would have and be nothing. But the ache in my heart seems to cloud and muffle the truth in my head. So I choose to do what doesn't feel natural right now. I wouldn't even say that my thankful list is all that creative, all that deep, or all that wonderful. But I am going to choose to give thanks for these things and for this day.
Maybe that's part of what faith is all about. Knowing that what is seen is not really what is. Hmm... sounds like a verse doesn't it? Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Today may you give thanks. Maybe it's thanks that is easy to give because the visual evidence is great. Maybe it's thanks by faith. Regardless, I hope you will give thanks.
Thankful this past week for:
43. A bath time in which Little Man's hair was washed and their were no tears
44. Hearing my boys playing in the basement
45. Having enough and more than enough and making decisions on how to share it
46. A like minded husband (in some areas)
47. Extra clothes to share
48. Reading MANY books to Little Man
49. A request for "mommy time"
50. A book that seems to express what I've felt and words of wisdom
51. A 20% off entire purchase including sales item coupon
52. Pajamas
53. Compliments from my husband (honey to the heart)
54. Colored noodles waiting to be turned into a project
55. God listening even when He feels far away
56. Homemade pizza
I can look at what I don't have or at what I have.
I can look at what is lost or what is found.
I can look at what's missing or what is present.
I can lament what is lost or give thanks for what is given.
I'm going to to choose to give thanks. Now don't think that this is an easy thing. At the current moment I'm not feeling very thankful. I know in my head that I have ever so much to be thankful for. I know that without all God does I would have and be nothing. But the ache in my heart seems to cloud and muffle the truth in my head. So I choose to do what doesn't feel natural right now. I wouldn't even say that my thankful list is all that creative, all that deep, or all that wonderful. But I am going to choose to give thanks for these things and for this day.
Maybe that's part of what faith is all about. Knowing that what is seen is not really what is. Hmm... sounds like a verse doesn't it? Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Today may you give thanks. Maybe it's thanks that is easy to give because the visual evidence is great. Maybe it's thanks by faith. Regardless, I hope you will give thanks.
Thankful this past week for:
43. A bath time in which Little Man's hair was washed and their were no tears
44. Hearing my boys playing in the basement
45. Having enough and more than enough and making decisions on how to share it
46. A like minded husband (in some areas)
47. Extra clothes to share
48. Reading MANY books to Little Man
49. A request for "mommy time"
50. A book that seems to express what I've felt and words of wisdom
51. A 20% off entire purchase including sales item coupon
52. Pajamas
53. Compliments from my husband (honey to the heart)
54. Colored noodles waiting to be turned into a project
55. God listening even when He feels far away
56. Homemade pizza
Monday, January 24, 2011
1,000 Gifts begats 30 more
If you're familiar with "bloggerland", then I'm sure you've met Ann at A Holy Experience. If you haven't traveled to her site, please do so. You won't regret your journey.
For about a year now this woman's words have gripped and stirred me. A person that I've never met face to face or spoken with on the phone. I quietly read post after post and don't leave any comments, but yet feel that I feel a sisterhood with her through faith and loves of the heart. I'd never joined in her counting of 1,000 gifts, even though I'd heard the call. With the publication of her book the call grew louder, but still I resisted. I didn't that is until this new year, when I received an agenda notebook as a Christmas gift. A daily organizer with places to record my to-do list, my ideas for Little Man's schooling times, our meals for the week, and a space to list the gifts. I dedicated a block for counting the gifts. Even if they were never shared, I'd count.
And so I began when we returned from Christmas travels. The first full week was January 3rd. I began:
1. Good travels on our 9 hour trip
2. An ill husband who made the trip without really getting sick
And then January 4th came- A day that challenged this feeble attempt. With the show of blood and the questions of our baby's future, would I keep counting?
I did:
3. Little Man's sweet caring ways
4. God's truth that doesn't change despite our circumstances
and I counted some more:
5. We weren't away like we'd planned to be when we had to deal with this
6. The support of family and friends
7. Husband being off during this time and his sweet love
8. Our Little Dream slipping away while Little Man slept
9. Songs on a new CD to minister God's presence in a perfect way
10. Time out with a dear friend
I share this to say how great I am or how strong I am. I haven't even read Ann's book yet. It's still traveling the miles to my home and my hands. But I recognize the truth that praising God at all times is an act of obedience to a God who deserves that praise even when we question it, and that by counting the gifts we are changed. I want to encourage you to count your gifts. Mine don't sound like poetry as some people's lists do. Yes, they are simple. This past week they contained the gifts of chocolate pound cake and a friendly snowman in a neighbor's yard. But it's really not the gift we're pursuing is it, it's the Giver of the gifts.
I'm counting and have pursued Him by listing a paltry 30 gifts thus far. Will you pursue the Giver of all good things with me and start your own list?
For about a year now this woman's words have gripped and stirred me. A person that I've never met face to face or spoken with on the phone. I quietly read post after post and don't leave any comments, but yet feel that I feel a sisterhood with her through faith and loves of the heart. I'd never joined in her counting of 1,000 gifts, even though I'd heard the call. With the publication of her book the call grew louder, but still I resisted. I didn't that is until this new year, when I received an agenda notebook as a Christmas gift. A daily organizer with places to record my to-do list, my ideas for Little Man's schooling times, our meals for the week, and a space to list the gifts. I dedicated a block for counting the gifts. Even if they were never shared, I'd count.
And so I began when we returned from Christmas travels. The first full week was January 3rd. I began:
1. Good travels on our 9 hour trip
2. An ill husband who made the trip without really getting sick
And then January 4th came- A day that challenged this feeble attempt. With the show of blood and the questions of our baby's future, would I keep counting?
I did:
3. Little Man's sweet caring ways
4. God's truth that doesn't change despite our circumstances
and I counted some more:
5. We weren't away like we'd planned to be when we had to deal with this
6. The support of family and friends
7. Husband being off during this time and his sweet love
8. Our Little Dream slipping away while Little Man slept
9. Songs on a new CD to minister God's presence in a perfect way
10. Time out with a dear friend
I share this to say how great I am or how strong I am. I haven't even read Ann's book yet. It's still traveling the miles to my home and my hands. But I recognize the truth that praising God at all times is an act of obedience to a God who deserves that praise even when we question it, and that by counting the gifts we are changed. I want to encourage you to count your gifts. Mine don't sound like poetry as some people's lists do. Yes, they are simple. This past week they contained the gifts of chocolate pound cake and a friendly snowman in a neighbor's yard. But it's really not the gift we're pursuing is it, it's the Giver of the gifts.
I'm counting and have pursued Him by listing a paltry 30 gifts thus far. Will you pursue the Giver of all good things with me and start your own list?
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