Thankful Thursday–Reaching 1000 gifts

Drawing closer, completing, my 1000 gifts goal I want to make the naming of every one important.  I stop and rethink, every gift, every blessing counted, is important.  A grace from the Father’s hand into my life.  Daily little tokens of His unending love for me.  Those little things add up to a Father’s lavish love. 

I sit here on this warm, sunny, clear February day – Valentine’s day.  Precious husband is at the fire station today.  Children play in the back yard – one in wood shop while another runs through field still another pulls trash to road for pick up.  Our second man child, who just turned 17, loads ladders and 2x4’s – getting materials ready to work on house moving project tomorrow.  As I am clicking through astronomy links for the children’s science, I come across the composite image of Arp 147.  The title of the article is “Cosmic Valentine's Day Photo Reveals Black Hole Ring”.  Even from space God longs to show how great and wide and high His love is for us. 

So through the sneezing, stuffy nose, and cough on such a gorgeous day I take lessons from Ann, listing all the ways He loves me.   Opening the spiral notebook I look back over the last week of counting.  Lists made by not just me, but children as well. 

Father, teach me how to show them that every day is grace.  Every day is a perfect opportunity to open our hands and receive whatever comes from you.  Then lift hands and give thanks in return for everything. 

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”  1 John 3:1

Father – giving thanks in all things, I say thank you for…

971.  Princess daughter fixing cheese toast when I feel bad

972.  Sensitive son putting ham and cheese sandwiches together

973.  Three youngest red faced from roller skating

974.  Lunch and shopping with mentee

975.  Washing powder for dirty laundry

976.  Princess daughter making biscuits from scratch all by herself (they were yummy)

977.  Bible Blitz for youngest – encouragement from Children’s Minister – instilling a love for God’s Word

978.  New remodeling project started – 3 boys take down suspended ceiling in dining room

979.  One boy hauls trash to truck

980.  Helpful Son hauls truck full of trash to dump

981.   Princess daughter checking out French and Spanish lesson DVD’s from library

982.  Challenge son volunteering at fire department

983.  Pictures from Gold-hearted mom’s travel adventures

984.  Darling daughter’s ducks laying eggs

985.  Precious husband cleaning toilet

986.  Two other boys cleaning toilets

987.  Medicine for cold relief

988.  Helpful son going to get medicine

989.  Fabulous family allowing me to stay in bed while sick

990.  Even though I feel bad I enjoy folding warm towels on cool afternoons

991.  Cough drops

992.  Warm Krispy Kreme donuts, shaped like hearts

993.  Freezer full of venison

994.  Venison roast and potatoes in the crockpot

995.  Sensitive son making shepherd’s pie

996.  Cool homeschool helps on the internet

997.  Shelves full of books

998.  Soft peppermint candies

999.  Snow that comes and goes

1000.  Precious husband’s hands enclosing mine

I celebrate, now I’ve made it to 1000!   And I truly can’t wait to see what God has in store for the next 1000. 

Because He keeps giving, I keep counting.  The list goes on…

____________________________________________

Check out Ann’s inspiring blog to learn more about 1000 gifts and The Gratitude Community. 

Ann shares and you might want to check it out:

“A new place to count the ways He loves … a new place just for you. A new site for us all to see His beauty & love –right where we are. I pray we’ll be rejoicing over there a lot… You all so make me smile! More on the new www.onethousandgifts.com place to come…”