The doorbell rings and children run to bring me the package. Inside I find 
these two treasures. I carry them with me to darling daughter’s to read as little one sleeps and eats and children do their math and science. We sit around table and I pick up “One Thousand Gifts” sharing how Ann began counting. How her counting encouraged me to do the same.
Princess daughter asks, “Isn’t it hard – how do you count that many? I don’t think I could.”
Darling daughter challenges, numbering from 1-20 on a lined sheet of school paper. She sets sister to counting. She digs deeper, “why are you thankful for those things?”
Taking more paper she sets two boys making list – counting their blessings. Before 20 minutes pass these four have listed 80 blessings. Eighty gifts for which they are thankful.
Their lists have items that overlap – gifts that touch them all. Yet their reasons for gratitude are as unique and individual as they are. 
I gather the sheets of paper when they are done. Papers that hold treasures for me to touch and cherish on stunning, glory days. Treasures to nurture and comfort on difficult days. Lists that remind me that gratitude is an intentional thought, a choice, a daily grace.
The gifts, they add up quickly. I pull out my journal and add to my list.
Father, thank you for this joy, to count the gifts from your heart to our hearts. Thank you for eyes to behold and moments to cherish. Thank you for…
921. Lined pages to write the thanks
922. Children – making list – gratitude counting
923. God’s grace gifts that pile up quickly
924. Joy that comes in the counting
925. Darling daughter making space, 20 minutes to count so many reasons to be thankful
I count with my children (from their lists)…
926. Chickens – we like fresh eggs
927. Books – we can make our own stories
928. Feet – so we can dance
929. Trees – they provide shade and oxygen, they are majestic and beautiful
930. Candles – to have light
931. Doors – to have privacy
932. Spices – to make things taste better
933. Leaves – to play in
934. Babies – to carry on our legacy
Speaking of babies, more from my list this week…
935. soft baby to nestle close to my cheek
936. the way babies smile with their whole body
and…
937. Gold-hearted mom’s safe arrival, winter visit with awesome aunt and husband
938. Dentists to fix the tooth that aches
939. This book that is also drawing me in – she captured me with this 
paragraph in Chapter 1 (quoting part of my favorite Scripture verses):
“There, in a hard and hidden place, informed by God’s Word – his “treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places” – we would begin our journey through a stream of grace that redeems the past, challenges the present, and shapes a vision for the future.”
940. Eyes to behold the bounty of God’s blessings
_______________________________________________________
Check out Ann’s inspiring blog to learn more about 1000 gifts and The Gratitude Community. You can click on the books above to learn more.
Click on Stone Crossings photo above for link to L.L. Barkat’s website.
What a precious precious post, Nancy. Oh...to teach children this blessed art of counting our gifts! To teach them to also number the reasons why the gifts are a blessing! SO precious.
ReplyDelete#940...Eyes to behold the bounty of God's blessings...eyes of the heart are precious.
Love those photos of your hand and your child's hand writing those lists, remembering, celebrating, and giving thanks. You said, beautifully, that those papers "hold treasures for me to touch and cherish on stunning, glory days." They are not only for you, but you will also have the joy of sharing them with the list-makers one day, when they are much older and forgot what they first wrote. And perhaps you will have ingrained in them this healthy, holy habit, so that by the time you pull out the first, numbered lists on those papers to show them, they will be well into the five thousands! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a kind comment. You have written a very beautiful story of the children beginning their lists. And your list is beautiful, too. God bless.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from A Holy Experience. LOVE this post and your list. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBe Blessed today :)
Debbie