Our local museum began offering a once-a-month program for local homeschoolers. We attended the first meeting. The children made memory boxes to hold mementos of special significance. They discussed how history is handed down from one generation to the next. The children enjoyed meeting new friends and the craft activity. They were excited to see the report in a local newspaper. They are looking forward to next month’s meeting.
It is the last day of February so I line up the gifts, blessings from the Lord’s hand, and reflect long on the truth that the more I count the more I see God daily. I remember that God wants to be found and in the seeking He always reveals Himself.
February’s Joy Dare
Counting gifts from #1442 - 1529
1. a gift found at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m….
Precious husband home from work – an off day, Fun son out of school to celebrate his birthday, Ladies Bible Study
2. 3 things overheard today, all gifts…
A – “Thought I would ride out to see you”, Life group leader backing up in Galatians to hear from Precious husband, “I love you” from Tony’s lips to my ear
3. 3 gifts found in writing…
rewriting my thankful list – reflecting on those blessings, journal – working emotions out on paper, “when you see with your soul everything becomes a reflection of the glory of God.” 1
4. 3 gifts found when bent down…
a dime – reminder God sees me, adoration – knees to floor - heart to heaven, flowers among the weeds
5. one gift stitched, one hammered, one woven…
stitching on cover of Bible, post & rails for stall, new coaster from Princess daughter’s weaving loom
6. 3 gifts found outside…
children building “huts” – shelters in the woods, Jesse following Sensitive son in corral, full moon
7. 3 gifts red…
red paint on canvas, chicken combs and wattles, fire hydrant in front of house
8. a gift broken, a gift fixed, a gift thrifted…
dryer, plugs & wires in Gold-hearted mom’s car, Tony able to fix them both
9. 3 gifts that were surprises –unexpected grace…
working through relationships – forgiveness, new way to heat this house – propane heater, no more wood stove
10. 3 times you heard laughter today…
Sensitive son over cat chasing dog’s tail, Precious husband and three boys wrestling and laughing at Helpful son’s 18th birthday, Little One’s squealing delight over Lady
11. 3 gifts found in working…
clean clothes, Gold-hearted mom’s house clean to show a buyer, good night’s rest
12. 3 hard eucharisteos…thanks in the hard things…
Letting go – letting children grow, trusting (finding) God when problems continually arise, missing loved ones – rejoicing they are in heaven
13. 3 gifts found behind a door today…
coffee & cream behind refrigerator door, frost on bank outside back door, “The beloved says from the other side of the door, “Open the door and come in, so we can experience just how one we might become.” 2
14. 3 ways you feel the love of God today…
Sensitive son and Princess daughter helping with Little One, napping with Little One, Little One’s laughter
15. a gift in losing something, finding something, making something…
Lucas losing a tooth & cavity, God’s presence in hard times, making memories with Little One
16. 3 gifts in shadows…
shadow of clouds on pasture, Hebrews 8:5 teaching on copy & shadow, my shadow on ground (makes me feel tall)
17. 3 gifts found giving/serving…
building relationships, offering rest to another, character building – becoming like Christ
18. 3 gifts on paper…
Scripture, poetry – “Joy” by Hannah Hurnard, sweet note from Sensitive son
19. 3 gifts that were ‘Plan B’s’…
Wow – deeply personal thoughts that I must leave written in my journal for now
20. a gift at breakfast, lunch, dinner…
heart-shaped cinnamon biscuits, leftover broccoli soup – yum!, not having to cook
21. 3 gifts white…
loops for Princess daughter’s weaving loom, Precious husband’s work truck, electrodes on chiropractor’s TENS unit
22. 3 gifts that changed today…
text function gone from phone – ugh!, Fun son’s teeth – new filings,
healthier eating plan
23. a gift of tin, of glass, of wood
tin snips to cut wire repairing coop, Ball mason jars (I like the way they look and so many functions), back porch flooring in back on house
24. 3 gifts before 11:00 a.m….
new Kashi Go-Lean cereal, special time with Precious husband, quiet morning after a restless night’s sleep
25. a gift nearly worn out, a gift new, a gift make-do…
hiking shoes, Lamentations 3:21-23– God’s compassions new every morning, temporary living quarters in farmhouse
26. 3 gifts seen as reflections…
VCR tapes of children – all little, blessed heritage because of previous generations, Fun son looking like Precious husband when husband was his age
27. 3 ugly-beautiful gifts (see beauty in ugly)…
one step forward – two steps back with children – yet rejoice when they hear 
God for themselves, smashed thumb with hammer but repaired coop, tornado ripped through cousin’s neighborhood – thankfully she was unhurt and her home suffered minimal damages
28. 3 gifts from the past – that help you trust the future…
Precious husband’s forgiveness when I messed up our finances, God’s presence even when He seems silent or MIA, God’s faithfulness in past generations
29. a gift dull, a gift shimmering, a gift cleaned…
gray sky today, waxing crescent moon, kitchen
____________________________________
1 Mark Batterson,Primal
2 James Finley, Christian Meditation
There was a visit to the chiropractor yesterday. My neck has been out of whack for weeks. Sitting in the chair with the tens unit attached to my neck and shoulders I close my eyes. Becoming aware of my breathing I listen for the voice of the Lord.
I don’t know Rachel Evans, she was a link on Ann’s sidebar. But the question from her 40 Ideas for Lent (2012) post stopped me cold…
“When I wake up on Resurrection Sunday morning,
how will I be different?”
What am I doing today that will challenge me to be different? Different every day. Not just different but more like Christ in my daily walk. I reflect over the last two Lent journeys, Lent? and Illuminate. Both helped me be more intentional, focused on Christ and his sacrificial gift of love. I question myself, have they left me different?
The stimulation causes the muscles in my neck to contract and relax. I feel spastic as I have no control over my own muscles. It is painful and beneficial all at the same time. When I don’t put off coming for the adjustment I stay more aligned and have less daily pain.
I have been reading a book on meditation and it comes to mind. Every time I try to meditate I can’t quiet my mind. I strive to push away the thoughts that bombard me. It is a struggle to focus, to be silent, to listen for the Lord’s voice.
Leaving the chiropractor’s office I am sore and even a bit weak. The afternoon is spent with ice and ibuprofen. This morning I awake with less pain and more mobility. I perform the exercises the chiropractor gave for working out the kinks. It is a routine that if followed daily keeps my neck working properly.
The cycles of the believing life – they draw into deeper intimacy with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is here in this moment, in every moment, it is just the slowing to reflect on that truth, to listen to His presence now. It changes me slowly, helps keep the kinks worked out.
The verse I am focusing on for this year is never far from my mind…
“And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
He said, “Who are you?”
And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” Ruth 3:9 ESV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:1,4
