On my birthday last year, my sister-in-law and brother gave me an empty journal with a picture of a violin on the front. Not being in the mood to write at the time, I put it aside and forgot about it. (sorry, Barb and Ron!) Then three months later, I joined a Bible study class, and was introduced to Ann Voscamp's book One Thousand Gifts.
The premise of Ann's book, simply put, is to follow in her footsteps of chronicling the many gifts from God which we receive day by day, even hour by hour, and thereby realize the goodness of God rather than the sadness or emptiness of life. "Ingratitude was the fall - humanity's discontent with all that God freely gives." Ann Voscamp kept paper and pen handy to record the gifts. Grace, Thanksgiving, and Joy.
Ann's first three gifts were such simple things:
1. Morning shadows across the old floors
2. Jam piled high on the toast
3. Cry of blue jay from high in the spruce
As members of this new study class, we were to begin writing the gifts or blessings we found each day. My leader wrote hers on Facebook, and I began to wonder where to keep mine.
1. Fiery wisps of sunrise clouds
2. Dancing flames on my favorite candles
3. Hot coffee on my lips and tongue
One thousand seemed so far away back in January, but day by day I've put God's gifts around me down in ink. Here is a sampling, at random, of my recorded gifts:
30. The Glorious Full Moon
50. The coyote's call in dark canyons
63. Dew drops sparkling in the sun
112. Enough flowers in the garden for a bouquet
203. Air conditioners
203. Air conditioners
269. Walk on the beach
326. Seals on buoy, barking
454. Dead car battery gave me more time at home
530. Orioles every day
603. Super fun day in Los Angeles
691. Rafting on the Gallatin River
764. Sweet grapes (my latest entry)
I have quite a ways to go before I make it to 1,000, but have no doubt I will. God's grace is so abundant and ready to be recognized! The love of friends and family, water, dog eyes, colorful flowers, humming birds, the smell of bacon cooking...
