Since being challenged by the joyful morning song of the little bird outside my window some weeks ago, I started a “Gratefulness Journal.” I am writing down the things that I am grateful for—day by day, number by number. I have discovered that this exercise in expressing thanks to God and recording it in black and white is an amazing antidote to the slow-working poisons of discontent and worry. It strengthens my faith in God’s goodness and character while counteracting unbelief and renewing my perspective. It helps me to slow down, take a long look at the things around me and notice the gifts of Grace in each day, in each moment.
1) God's promises to satisfy and fill (Ps 81.10, 16)2) the way raindrops graze my window and leave their slanted streaks
3) rainbows of umbrellas and ponchos brighten a dreary day
4) wet pavement in the morning
5) the tiny, yellow-green, rolled-up new leaves on my plants
6) new friends
7) the sound of steadily-falling rain at night
8) Sunlight triumphantly breaking through the 3-day long cloud cover
9) a surprise bouquet of Gerber daisies from a dinner guest
10) that making delicious ricotta cheese is so easy!
11) Bartlett pears
12) a good, full night's sleep
13) sweetened condensed milk for my coffee
14) dozens of golden brown dragonflies to meet me as I leave my house
15) teaching a new little friend how to make animal faces
16) 在神里面没有难成的事! (There is nothing too difficult for God!)
17) another reminder of Ruth
18) 每时刻神赐下应时怜悯 (God grants well-timed compassion in every moment we need it)
19) His ways are gloriously higher!
20) God's multi-faceted care for me
21) John L.22) the insight of Thomas in Sacred Pathways that allowed me to love my friend more deeply
23) another amazing prayer time with Brittany and Virginia
24) God granting me the gift of forgiveness and compassion when I didn't even know I needed
them
25) the cool breeze through my open windows
26) birds and cicadas greeting the day in song
27) wearing jeans
28) Carolyn and the weekend women's getaway
29) an amazing flower shop tucked into the busy streets like an oasis
30) a bouquet of mini sunflowers
31) new, beautiful business cards
32) a meal idea came instantly to mind when my guest's stay neared lunchtime
33) not one, but two people on my list to call today called me first
34) leaky, broken pipes replaced
35) learning new songs that remind of God's attributes
36) the abundance and fullness of God revealed in Ps 8637) Robert Miller's refreshing, freeing reminders of the importance, the necessity of spending
time in God's presence, building relationship with Him
38) a cool morning, hot coffee, My Utmost for His Highest, and my Bible
39) just as I was staring to question the extent of God's care for me (barely even articulated yet in my mind), God gently reminded me in my daily reading: Luke 12
40) a whole stack of amazing children's books in Chinese!
41) the provision of a new friend willing to find a sponsor-location for parent support groups
42) enjoying friends and coffee outside!43) so many dots connected so as to see the Bigger Picture
44) wonderful friends and co-workers to serve alongside and journey with
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