I began reading Ann Voskamp's book entitled "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
" this weekend. It was a gift from another good blogging friend. The words in that title captured me. A dare to live fully right where you are?
Where I am right now is not where I want to continue to be.
But if God is in control, He knows all the details about where I am right now. Everything that happens to me as a child of God has been filtered through His fingers of love. I've written countless times about how I long to praise Him in the midst of the storm. And I do want to learn the lessons that are intended for me to learn.
John 10:10 (English Standard Version):
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.I want to live the abundant life in Christ each and every day. That begins with giving thanks. I want to notice the simple things.
So, I decided to take the dare; to live fully right where I am. I'm joining Ann at A Holy Experience and starting my list of 1000 gifts of thanks.
1. Learning to live a more simple life.
7. A friend to carpool with to work. So thankful for this opportunity to get to know Tara. The trip goes so fast as we share and laugh with one another.
8. New opportunities to view my life through the lens of thankfulness. And I don't have to wait for Thankful Thursday. I can now fill my journal daily with simple everyday things.
Blessings and love,
Ann's book inspired me to start my 1000 gifts list too. So glad to see yours too, Debbie.
ReplyDeletePraying you have a blessed week, right where you are...
hugs and love - praising Him for your thankful heart! it truly is the beginning of joy unshakeable!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Thank you for the book recommendation. It sounds very worth reading. When we are content and thankful where we are, we have hearts at peace. That is something I've been working on!
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteLong time ago now
Well this is a good motivator. I can just see the pleasant smile on your face at the playground.
You are such an encouragement to me.....I am reading the book too...in small sections at a a time....taking it in....
ReplyDeleteI know you were a cardiac nurse....I may need to email you some questions....
I cannot tell you how excited I was to see this post. I had planned to start my 1,000 gifts post today too! It's already up. It's exciting we will be starting this journey together. I am only on Chapter 2 of Ann's book. It's been very healing for me.
ReplyDeleteWas there a linky for this, or do we just post?
I am also reading this-slowly. It's a lot to mull over. I felt prompted to get copies for all the women in my family and pray it blesses each one.
ReplyDelete"To live fully...because of Christ..." Amen sister Debbie. And I want to give the Scripture you shared right back at you:Isa.41:10. Thank you. And I will etch It in my heart. To be reminded that He is truly with us, established a relationship with us and had reassured us of his strength, help and victory. To Him be the glory forever.
ReplyDeleteYou already know I'm also in a situation I don't want to be in. I will tell about this in His perfect time. But please keep me in your prayers because this is a huge battle I'm in at my workplace. Because of Him, I don't have fear and I know that He knows our hearts. I know that justice will come not when I want it but when He does. So I'm letting go and letting Him take care of this.
As we have His Armor, it seems that there is nothing to protect our back. I believe because it is not an option not to face a battle. Because through the pain, the discomfort, the discovering of weakness, that is where we have a great chance to grow more spiritually and that is where we are being stripped away of what hinders our walk with Him. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement. You are all a blessing to me. Love to you sister Debbie and if I may not be able to visit sometimes, I just want you to know you are not forgotten in my prayers. God bless.
Excellent post.Love all the things you are thankful for and I think I need to start thinking that way too. Sometimes it's not easy being thankful in the midst of the storm, but it is always necessary. I think I'm gonna check out this book. Sounds like from your posts and the comments a lot of people are getting encouragement from it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this too and it is just so life changing really. An amazing book for sure!
ReplyDeleteI guess you know that I recently
ReplyDeletefinished my 1000 list having taken
a little over a year to do it. It
really is life changing. I'm sure
I am going to enjoy reading yours
each week. I am going to continue
mine every Monday though not numbering
any more.
Love,
Sandy
I don't ever remember not saying thanks to the Lord over simple things, but I am enjoying writing them down and usually have to say, "okay stop" or I would be writing for hours.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed week as you learn to live where you are planted right now.
I'm currently involved in Priscilla Shirer's "One In A Million" Bible STudy and it's all about living the abundant life, leaving our Egypt headed to the Promised Land.
ReplyDeleteLoved your grateful list!
isn't it nice to see spring blooming? I love to hear the happy birds in the trees. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteSweet pictures, Debbie! And a great list of things to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteSo true - thankfulness is the key to enjoying each day. This is a daily practice for me - I have a section of my prayer journal where I list 5 or more things EACH day that I'm thankful for - and I try not to repeat something on the list for at least a month.
ReplyDeleteGod is so good - and you are right - you are right where He has placed you for such a time as this, for your good and for His glory.
Love to you~
Jennifer
I’m here from Ann’s – and I know it’s Wednesday and Multitude Monday was – well – Monday – but I am determined to keep reading these – what – 40,000 gratitude linkies…
ReplyDeleteAnd I come to yours and I am smiling. That book – how amazing is that book?
And I always pick a favorite from the list – and mine today, from yours is: 5. One step at a time. A thankful reminder that I need to take one day at a time and one moment at a time. (this is how life is made – and missed. No? – the vintage tee was number 2)
It was really nice reading you today.
God Bless and keep you and all of yours