Counting Gifts

Since reading the book “One Thousand Gifts,” there is so much meaning in why I count these gifts.  It truly does change ones outlook when practiced each and every day. It helps me learn what it looks like to be “content in all things.”  I am grateful.

171~sun on my neck while driving
172~medical insurance
173~changing seasons
174~a merciful husband
175~hat compliments
176~old school friend connections
177~my dishwasher
178~vitamins
179~freshly  juiced vegetables
180~an arm that now can fully reach
181~sight and smell of little girls waking
182~goodnight kisses
183~ability to give “full” hugs
184~a sunny sun room
185~uncles who take nieces for a day of fun
186~fingernails on the repair
187~time for a nap
188~Trader Joe’s
189~McDonald’s Oatmeal when in a pinch
190~my youngest falling in love with piano playing
191~great conversation during date with my husband

121~chemotherapy that we think is working & that lands on Monday, the day of counting gifts
122~a husband who still takes me on dates and connects with priceless conversations
123~piano music of Ann Voskamps blog and how it calms my heart
124~a new Themos cafe’ mug that keeps healing green tea hot
125~a reminder at beginning of the week of Thanksgiving, to give thanks
126~that He is able to do “more than I can even ask or imagine!  Exceedingly!!
127~hair that has a will to start growing back even before chemo is over
128~wonderful in-laws that take my girls on trips and create lasting memories
129~a blogworld full of women who amaze me with their care
130~a masseuse who is standing by, waiting to bless me with her free gift

Tonight is a night where I am grasping for truth.  I had a reader send me the song below (love his voice!), I needed it tonight, to remind me of these gifts…

111~ God makes ALL things work together for my good
112~ a love that never fails, despite all the mistakes I make
113~ Sin forgiven
114~ His promise that there will never be separation from Him
115~ the joy that comes after the pain
116~ hope
117~ the help of my 3 girls to make gifts for others
118~ my mom’s gift of time this week
119~ medical treatment
120~ the internet and its ability to communicate prayer requests and thoughts

101~ energy!
102~ vitamins and supplements and the ability to buy them
103~ family pizza Sundays
104~ beautiful warm, fall weather
104~ the raspberries topping my oatmeal
105~ phone texts full of love
106~ Christmas shopping fun
107~ fresh lemons
108~ God’s presence
109~ my husband and his love for me
110~ that my well-being does not depend on circumstances!

So much to be thankful for!  I have been mulling over what it looks like to be thankful and content in every situation, in all circumstances.  This excerpt from Jesus Calling really has hit home for me.

YOU CAN LIVE AS CLOSE TO ME as you choose.  I set up no barriers between us; neither do I tear down barriers that you erect.

People tend to think their circumstances determine the quality of their lives.  So they pour their energy into trying to control those situations.  They feel happy when things are going well, and sad or frustrated when things don’t turn out as they’d hoped.  They rarely question this correlation between their circumstances and feelings.  Yet it is possible to be content in any and every situation.

Put more energy into trusting Me and enjoying My Presence.  Don’t let your well-being depend on your circumstances.  Instead, connect your joy to My precious promises:

Philippians 4:12
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.


Genesis 28:15
 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”


Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.


Romans 8:39-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

**For an update on my chemo session/doctor appointment today, please see my Caring Bridge journal.

93~ The crunch of leaves under foot
94~The chorus of my 3 little ones singing “Trick or Treat!!”
95~ A timely song, to remind that I am never alone
96~ Chemotherapy, and the signs that it is working!!!
97~ A sister who dresses as a “bald pirate” for Halloween in honor of me. 🙂
98~ Warm coats, gloves and hats
99~ Chili in my crockpot, made by my Ann

Because this is number 100, I will name one that stretches me.

100~ Pain.  Pain reminds that “when I weak, I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10  I will speak this and write it, and He will be faithful to make it true in my heart.  It is a gift I don’t want, yet it is a gift.

NIV Version:
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)


The Message Version:
^7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,  My grace is enough; it’s all you need.  My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.