I have recently started reading a phenomenal book called One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskam. It is a book I would highly recommend to anyone willing to change their perception. A basic overview would be that the author realizes that the root to every sin is ingratitude, and therefore the best way to combat ingratitude is with eucharisteo- the giving of thanks. So, that is what I am working at doing; giving thanks- giving thanks through all things, wherever... whenever. Even in the midst of weariness, self doubt, anxiety, feelings of failure, bitterness, heartbreak, pain, etc. On days when I'm doing laundry... again..., listening to a 15 month old cry for hours, break up fights, hear the whines and tantrums, mopping...again..., even in the ordinary, I am trying to be thankful. On days where it would be so easy to only see the broken and the bad- the marital problems, the miscarriage, the death of a friend's father- far too young, the cancer, the people who lost their homes to fires... and that list could go on and on. Instead, thankful whether empty or full. I am working toward seeing that God makes plans for good. He is God. He is Everything."Because eucharisteo is how Jesus, at the Last Supper, showed us to transfigure all things- take the pain that is given, give thanks for it, and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness."- Ann Voskamp
As I am working on being grateful, I have started to write down things that I am thankful for. This is what the author of the book did and I thought it was brilliant, so I am copying. As we write things down, we can practice being grateful and recognizing God's hand in all that surrounds us. Ann Voskamp says, "Do not disdain the small. the whole of life-even the hard- is made up of minute parts, and if I miss the infinitesimals, I miss the whole.". That is what I am trying to do... see the details and give thanks. Obviously, I fail a great portion of the time. But, I am practicing. And it is making a difference. Each afternoon when the kids go down for naps and each night, I try to reflect on a few things that I am thankful for and how I have seen God in the ordinary, the hard, the insignificant. In giving thanks, I've discovered more joy, more grace.
Here are a few of the things on my list from the last few days:
20. forts in the living room
26. Sheldon's tiny pink toes
28. Zumba
30. fleece blankets scattered
36. The smell of C's head after a bath- curls and baby shampoo
40. fruit snacks
45.Tara's 4 minute phone messages
60. inter-tube slides
90. lemon yogurt
91. gardening in bare feet- smelling fresh basil
95. dark storm clouds when it's been much too hot
109. straws in ice water
115. Hearing Ryan's voice as he read to the kids
132. the hammock
152. painting with the kids
The less we hurry and the more we intentionally reflect on all of the blessings in our days, the more we will find joy in the midst of it all.
A rare, but precious coffee date with my girl
Watching the kids at the skate park was such a gift!
I encourage you to start a written or mental list. If 1,000 is too daunting, leave me a comment and share a few of the gifts you've experienced lately.
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