Noticing : 1,000 Gifts

Written a couple of weeks ago. I published it then removed it because I felt that I was completely failing at it that day. Giving it another go today:

I’m learning that gratitude is not meant to be a brief hiatus from grumbling.

Nor is it a shallow list of creature comforts and temporary idols.

It is the practice of noticing.
Of quenching frustration and anxiety with truth.
Of not taking undeserved blessings for granted.
Of choosing to focus on His goodness when He gives and when He takes away.

I read these words in Martha Peace’s The Excellent Wife last night, and they pierced my heart like a dagger.

“The Christian wife can have that same passionate heart’s desire and continual delight in her Lord as she focuses her thoughts on what God is like (especially His goodness) and how He is working in her life to glorify Himself.

Where does such a heart come from? It is a grace gift from God to the believer… The wife’s responsibility is to ask God for that passion and then diligently to seek God through His written Word. She also has a responsiblity to cultivate a grateful attitude and thankfulness to God regardless of her circumstances. To cultivate a grateful attitude, she will have to deliberately think grateful thoughts to God even though she may not feel like it. God will do the rest, because it is consistent with His character that He answer such a prayer.

…Build contentment into your life. Frequently thank Him for your circumstances. Think about today and the future in a positive way, look forward to what God is going to do in your life and how He is going to be glorified through you.” (pp. 68, 70)

Frustation? Stress? Rising anxiety and tension? Grumbling? All a sign that I do not trust Him and delight in Him above all else.

I have much to learn.

So on this beautiful day, I continue counting… praying that this will be more than a list… more like a heart revolution.

229. Biblical teaching.
230. Friends with babies Christian’s age.

231. A husband who doesn’t mind me blogging about him.
232. A good night’s sleep.
233. Lots of friend time last weekend.
234. Lots of family time this weekend.
235. My beautiful cousin getting married on Saturday.

236. My dad’s opportunity to serve in Haiti again.
237. Sorted laundry.
238. Christian’s cuddly sleepiness in the middle of the night.
239. My Bible, with all its personal underlinings.
240. A baby who wakes up as I’m about to write #240.

241. Ann Voskamp’s book.

242. September.
243. Christian’s mobility.