I've decided to use this blog to record thankfulness. I've been so inspired by reading Ann Voskamp's Holy Experience and so am starting my own list here.
The journal that I've been gradually gathering gratitude in has served me well, but often sits on a shelf and weeks go by. I have accumulated a list of 108 moments.
I continue on from there:
109 ~ That You give me joy and the determination to give thanks, even when I feel frustration
110 ~ For gentle music ministering
111 ~ For children playing happy in the snow
112 ~ For Abba's heart making mine happy and peaceful in this now
113 ~ For husbands' feet thumping upstairs. Maybe he's feeling better, but if not...
114 ~ For unfailing love, grace, mercy, strength and joy
The day had started with that unexplained tension, tightness through my neck, shallow breathing and discomfort in my chest. I hate anxiety. The shower was hot, soothing and I entered His gates with thanksgiving despite that gnawing feeling, offering it all to the lover of my soul.
A quick bite to eat and off to the store I run as a fundraiser for our school. I love it there, not because I always wanted to run a thrift store, but because I love our Christian school passionately. I love people and I love helping them find a great deal. We have an awesome team of volunteers, people who bring a rainbow of love, diligence and expertise in many different areas. We would not be open but for them.
Part way through the day one of our team came in with her family to shop. She wasn't there five minutes when the phone rang and it was my daughter saying that they're at Chapters and her Dad has passed out.
WHAT?
Other family weren't able to go and help, but this wonderful team member shrugged out of her coat, asked her hubby to take the kids home and said "Of course I'll stay".
I drove to Chapters, praying, wondering and found them all there, attentive staff hovering over my husband, him looking tired.
We came home, leaving the extra vehicle for later.
He went to bed for hours, I went back to work. The kids had pizza and a movie.
I came home by 5:30pm and started making supper. That's when the gratitude started to flow.
I grabbed my journal and started recording the list above. Peace flooded me. It was a slow spread of warmth within, an assurance, a garden oasis in the midst of a frenetic and worrisome day. Gratitude turned it around for me. It was a conscious choice to write stuff down and the fruit was beautiful.
We enter His courts when we give thanks. The song by Alvin Slaughter says " When I praise Your Name, heaven stops to listen..."
It's true.
And so I add one more to my list:
115 ~ for a big furry guy walking up to my chair, quiet meowed greeting and a gentle brush up against me as he goes by. Love wrapped up kitty style. Thank you God.