Counting My Blessings

"Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His mercy endures forever."

Psalm 106: 1

I lead women in Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts Bible study. Ann encourages us to slow down, discover, record, and give thanks for the gifts God gives us daily.

Here are a few of my gifts for which I give thanks:



• Pink-tinged morning clouds
• Sunrise, colors changing, declaring God's glory
• Morning dew
• Tropical rains
• Horses grazing
• Baby calves
• Cumulus clouds filling Texas sky
• Rainbow fragments
• Blue-green dragonflies dancing (& eating mosquitoes!)
• Freckles
• Curly hair
• Baby boy's blue eyes
• Stained glass windows
• Country roads
• Sweet corn
• Harvest moon

For what are you thankful?

An Unexpected Gift

Life holds unexpected moments.

Two months after having a brain tumor removed, my mother-in-law went to be with the LORD. The family expected recovery, but death came instead.

Norma lived a good life. She was married to her husband for 59 years. Together, they raised four sons- all good men. She accomplished her dream to visit Israel and was baptized in the Jordan River. She loved Southern gospel music.

At her gravesite, a family member texted me a picture of the Texas sky. A brilliant blue, cloud-streaked sky.







Noticing a bird-shaped cloud formation, I zoomed in on the image. It was a dove. A symbol of The Presence of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, hovering over us.

 



In the midst of sorrow and sadness, someone lifted their eyes to the heavens, capturing the dove cloud image. An unexpected gift. An "I am with you always..." moment (Matthew 28: 20).

As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, our comforting God is with us. And I am thankful.


What unexpected gift have you received from the Lord?



 





First Friday Intercession: Grateful Spirits

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18. (NKJ)

 

 





Loving heavenly Father, every good and perfect gift is from You. You alone are worthy of our praise and worship.

Thank You for salvation through Jesus, Your grace, and Your mercy. Thank You for Your faithfulness, and for Your protection. Thank You for our daily bread.

When we fail to give You thanks, may we be quick to humble ourselves, confess our ingratitude, and seek Your forgiveness. Thank You for forgiving us.

Help us, as parents and grandparents, to model a spirit of gratitude. Help our children and grandchildren  develop an acute awareness of Your good gifts and Presence in their daily lives. Remind them to pray with thanksgiving in all circumstances. Help them to express thanksgiving and praise to You. Let an attitude of gratitude be their holy habit.  Amen.