One Thousand Gifts

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.

As I looked at the cover of One Thousand Gifts, I realized the font seemed familiar and began to look at other books I had. There it was: Journal, the one with the violin on it! Under the picture was scripture; "Give thanks to the LORD for He is good! His mercy endures forever." I Cor. 16:34  A perfect place to begin. 

                                                     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

  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...