Gift Counting: Recognizing the Giver

I have been reading this blog for about two years now, found it just as we were preparing to move. And there are so many things I could say about her blog, her writing, but for now, I just want to talk about her "gift list". It is a practice she began sometime ago, counting everyday graces, as she calls it. Taking notice of the ordinary and giving thanks. It is about gratitude and recognizing that we are each individual, created differently and the way He blesses is as individual as we are, IF we choose to recognize it.

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."    John Milton

That so encourages me to want to start counting, to be aware, to see how He is choosing to bless me...how I am choosing to see what could be burdens, as blessings. I originally did start this list, I started it in Sep. of 2009. But I didn't get very far. I counted for one day, and then stopped. Because it does take a certain amount of pausing in your day, a certain amount of paying attention and seeing things for what they are...and that can be hard.  I don't want that to stop me...I want to be a gift counter, and so, I begin again today.

Her original goal was 1000, and she is far beyond that, but she is still counting! She encourages the same goal for others who want to join her, and to set a time frame of doing so. Thanksgiving is about 19 weeks away, that would be a good goal, to have my gratitude list of 1000 completed by Thanksgiving...the day when we celebrate all that we are thankful for. Care to join me?

"No gift unrecognized as coming from God is at its own best...when in all gifts we find Him, then in Him we shall find all things."     George MacDonald

The beginning of my list (from Sep.15,2009):
#1 My journey, specifically from July 2008, but ALL plays a role. Amazing to look back and see!
#2 God's leading, guiding, growing, stretching.
#3 God not allowing me to stay the same- making me a changed person.
#4 That He is gentle and all works in His perfect timing.
#5 Rocky friendships/relationships that have strengthened me and He is glorified.
#6 Rocky friendships that have come out on top, rooted in Him.
#7 New found friends
#8 Reminiscing and the ability to look back and see Him moving thought it all. It is His story.
#9 Divine appointments.
#10 Whatever is next.
#11 Unwritten Stories.
#12 Anticipation of what He will do.