Good & Perfect Gifts

Good morning! It's Saturday!

About 10 years ago I read a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. In the book she challenges you to be grateful for the gifts you might not see or acknowledge or gifts that you might think don't look like gifts at all. She invites you to think about gifts in the everyday mundane. For example, she wrote that she loved the curl that fell on her son's forehead. She never looked at it as a gift yet she noticed it, marveled at it and wrapped it around her finger as she held him. 

I took the challenge then and got to a list numbering about 300. A friend recently picked up the book and invited me to join her.  I accepted..... again. A different time of life and a stronger desire to recognize and acknowledge gifts, the simple life. 

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,  for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."

Psalm 107:8-9

I am on day seven and have logged 182 gifts....sunshine, a tidy house, green grass, chirping birds, sunrise, technology, eggs, tears, vision, ticking clocks, steam rising from my tea because who doesn't like a hot cup of tea? 

#179 says:

"Hard days... because I can see how God works it out". 

#179 flowed from my pen before I had a chance to question, to argue, to protest, to stomp my feet to say "NO, I'M NOT GRATEFUL FOR HARD!!" So there it sits....Why did that thought flow from my pretty green pen to my beautiful floral journal? Because it's the truth. And the fact that #179 is written, permanently on the page, will remind me again and again that God WILL work it out for my good and his glory. When I think I have zero control that's simply not true. When I feel helpless I'm actually not. I can wait and I will see how God works it out. 

Waiting is hard....

and sometimes the answer is not what I want...and honestly sometimes I don't even know what I want...but God...

"The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.  You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."

Psalm 145:15-16

Perfect timing....HIS timing...

Yesterday the young woman that changed my life forever  was restored driving privileges for work.  What I know is that she served her prison sentence and fulfilled her probation period. She married and has a job. I get it...part of me has empathy for her. She can't wish away her current circumstances anymore than I can beg for it to have never happened in the first place. It's FOREVER.....sadly.

Was justice served? Here's what I know....

Five years ago I stood before a packed courtroom and forgave her and since that day I've prayed God would touch her heart and transform her. I told the judge that day that the only reason I was standing was because I serve a mighty God. I meant it then and I believe it now.

So today? I'm grateful. Grateful this is one of very few circumstances in my life I have not picked up again. That I have not allowed to destroy me. I gave her to God that day and have rarely thought about her since...... until these things come up.

Perhaps that will be #183 - grateful that I am not shattered by bitterness. 

Yes...#183 ✔ As sure as there's breath in my body #184 ✔ God is and will continue to be faithful. #185 ✔ So yesterday is done #186 ✔and today is a new day #187✔ another day to see my gifts #188 ✔

This life will often disappoint...sometimes it will bring you to your knees.... but God. Hallelujah what a Savior! 

Find Him in the little things!

Have a beautiful day! 

Be the hands and feet of Jesus! 

❤❤🖐🖐👣👣