One Thousand Gifts

This summer the Lord put it on my heart that I am not nearly grateful enough- in fact, I am incredibly selfish and ungrateful most of the time. I found a wonderful journal at a Barnes and Noble in the clearance section (the last in stock) and since buying it, I have found a renewed sense of gratitude. The journal is a 5 year gratitude journal with enough space each day to write one or two thoughts from the day. I began that journal on June 26th- my last official day on staff with Campus Outreach. Surprisingly, I have been quite faithful in writing each day, and so almost 3 months later, I have not missed one entry. Already I know it will be a sweet journey for me to look back on each year --the journal is created so that one page has a spot for that day for 5 years (so each year you can see what you were grateful for on that same day the year before). 

Fitting with the theme of gratitude, I found a book that was highly recommended to me a few years ago that I never got around to reading--One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. This book is her journey of living fully where she is; finding joy in the midst of everyday things. She opens her book talking a lot about the greek word "eucharisteo"which means "gave thanks" from the verse in Luke 22 about Jesus breaking bread and giving thanks. The root for this greek term is "charis" meaning "grace," which also has a stem for "joy" within it. 

Grace.

Thanksgiving.

Joy.

As I read this, I decided to dedicate another journal to what Voskamp herself decides to do: physically writing out a list of one thousand things she is grateful for- things that bring her joy; one thousand blessings. So I decided that I will try and do this as well (we all know how much I love lists!)

I have no idea how long this will take me, but I don't intend to rush through this journey either. It may take 5 years just like my gratitude journal, but however long it will take, I hope I am changed along the way. Join me as I share with you through this blog some of my one thousand gifts. And maybe this will inspire you to pick up a pen and find an empty notebook to write out things you are grateful for today- things that bring you joy in the midst of your busy life! 

1. steady raindrops on the brick path in the backyard

2. iced coffee

3. clean laundry smell

4. a fresh new haircut for the fall

5. a four legged companion for the week while my brother is out of town

6. a slight breeze to cool off my morning walk with the canine

7. flowers from a sweet person on my kitchen table

8. my church community group

9. finishing a great novel (Redeeming Love)

10. sea cotton scented hand soap