One Thousand Gifts…..( by Ann Voskamp)
I have had the sweet blessing of rubbing hearts with the blog of Ann Voskamp….www.aholyexperience.com. She speaks often things deep in my heart but never put to my pen…but, through hers, I find release….and slices of joy…and, even at times, tears.
I not only love the way her words fit to paper…but, I most love the way her heart sees this life God has given us….A Holy Experience.
Her failings and fears, which she so valiantly and frankly shares, draw me in…she, too, has wonderings of her purpose here on earth but has chosen to see things “cup half full” rather than “life mourned sad”.
Her writings make me want to walk closer to God….head on His shoulder…hand on his arm…barefooted…so, Ann, I thank you.
I am very appreciative of her challenge to make a “list” of my ONE THOUSAND BLESSINGS….for, having taken up the challenge, I have been blessed. It does as she says…causes you to view the love of God in the small details of our daily breaths…
I challenge each of you reading this to likewise take up the challenge (she even provides lovely lists on which to write).
If not for this challenge, I would have missed…
“son dancing in kitchen”
“husband’s whispered, Do you know the depth to which I love you?”
“daughter’s call to thank me for taking care of a matter for her..Thank you Mom”
“son’s asking, “Mom, can I have a hug?”
I knew these little blessings were gifts from God to make life more precious, but there is something tenderly sweet when you write them on a list you can review…it draws me to my knees in thanksgiving….
God’s gentlest love, in the details of my life makes it make sense….the “whys” of my life…
We walk not alone…but with one another in this journey…because next to God, the only thing that really matters are not “things” but our relationships, shared happy, shared sad, shared.
Shared.
Using the gifts God knitted inside us at birth to help our “others” walk this life…
I think of some friends who knew long ago their gifts…and, who use them to His Glory!
My Mother- loving….unconditionally as only my mother can love
My Sister, Frankie – being a beacon of light to students in a Godless world
Mrs. Melissa L.– Faithful, loving, tender friend
Ms. Laura – lifeline to managing life and broken hearts
Miss Patty – tending the hearts of wee ones year after year after year
Mrs. Helen – listening to those who are searching, lost and needy with compassion and non-judgment, friendship sweet
Mrs. Suzanne – blessing you at just the moment you need a blessing
Mrs. Dianne J. – prayer warrior…wise advisor…faithful friend
Dr. Jackie – using God’s tools to heal and comfort the sick
Ms. Katie – living her gratefulness and faith in growing her babies
Mrs. Kris – Godly example of selflessness on a daily basis…and, with a joyful heart
Mrs. Cheryl – Godly mother I was blessed to watch out my kitchen window as she loved her babies
Mrs. Melissa B – who uses her gift of compassion and love to encourage and ‘flip the dog” of our lives
Mrs. Tammy –who pens her pain and joy in such a way as to bless us and challenge us
Beth….my first friend to find heaven’s gate…who daily reminds me of how precious is this life
And, the list could go on and on..
And, it does,
Because I have started as well, a List of THOSE who have blessed me in my walk here on earth…
And, by doing so, have been amazed at heart, at soul, at the angels God has placed in my 49 years, six months, without whom, I could not have survived…
Or thrived
Or seen so sweetly the face of God…
~Sweet Blessings,
lesa sheryl young,
