It sounds trite to put it in
writing like this but last year my life was truly impacted as I “happened” upon
the book “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. It led to
lots of new things in my life and ministry and the
book helped me develop to a new spiritual discipline, the JoyDare. It is keeping track of my gifts. Those found around me in the world. Not those things I want, but those I have. Those given by the Giver of all.
Did you know that people who keep a
gratitude list:
1. Have
a relative absence of stress and depression. (Woods et al., 2008)
2.
Make progress towards important personal goals (Emmons and McCullough, 2003)
3.
Report higher levels of determination and energy (Emmons and McCullough, 2003)
4.
Feel closer in their relationships and desire to build stronger relationships
(Algoe and Haidt, 2009)
5.
Increase happiness by 25% — (McCullough et al., 2002)
Knowing
all that is true is a bonus. The reality
in my life is that my list helps me to find joy in little things and see God’s
presence in more ways than I thought possible.
I started a list late last year and found as this year began, so did a
new list. So watch here on Mondays as I
share gifts from the previous week. I am
going to count, beginning at one and see where Gods leads.
1.
Welsh Rarebit for supper
2.
A word found
3.
Texting love at the
stroke of midnight
4.
Wise words from an
elder
5.
A dream realized
6.
Cards to send to
brave girls
7.
Onion rings
8.
A job to return to
9.
Listening in on 98
years of history
10.
New loved ones who
become encouragers
11.
Sad boys who cry for
their mama in love
12.
Rain on a tin roof
as we say goodbye to a much loved woman
13.
Cows that are named
14.
Words of a sister
that bless at just the right time
15.
Wise ones who seek
after stars
16.
Epiphany celebrations
full of love, laughter, mistakes, grace, and God’s presence
17.
Being able to tell
the epiphany story as a community and complete the crèche with little ones
18.
Excitement of a
sweet little one about to be baptized
19.
God’s Word heard
20.
Holy sounds
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