I am enjoying the daily challenge to develop a personal list of 1,000 gifts for my 2012. A couple years during our women’s study a friend encouraged us to each list our praises and thanks to God daily. I love a challenge and was in need of guidance to organize my quiet time. This is one of my favorite times during the day, thanking God for the things He has blessed me with each day and praising Him for the gifts only He could have showered me with.
As I purpose to list one-thousand nouns of thanks to God for my blog I find it easier to pay attention to the small things in life. Ann’s “February Joy Dare: capture these gifts” is a wonderful tool and springboard to zoning in items I may not have recognized before.
You can download a copy at:
http://www.aholyexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/FebruaryJoyDare.pdf
February’s Joy Dares
And my list continues:
11:30 a.m. – a student snuck a hand-drawn valentine onto my table to surprise me
2:30 p.m. – another valentine appeared, from a student not likely to express such care
6:30 p.m. – an appointment ends early which allows us to spend more time together
I overheard my Mom say, “I’m so proud of her…” talking about my daughter
I overheard a colleague mention “It’s that time of year again…
I overheard my daughter share her admiration of Mr. Jordan with her Pop, and Pop’s respect and friendship in return for this amazing man
Writing helps to keep my eyes open for God’s blessings
Blessed with inspiration through the writing of others
Writing brings healing
A shiny copper penny in spite of the February sand in the parking lot
A lost earring, found
A new perspective on life
A hand quilted bag made with love
Blocks for my upcoming speaking engagement – cut, sanded, built, and painted alongside and with the help of my beloved parents (they did most of the work while I was teaching – thank you Mom and Dad)
The strand of single crochet my daughter gave me when she learned to crochet – safely tucked in my jewelry box
A Lake Ontario sunset
Newly fallen snow
The sound of birds chirping
A healthy heart
The cardinal
Blood donated to save lives
My sister’s hair clip - broken
My mother’s locket - fixed
My engagement ring - thrifted
A snow day
A 3 day get-away at my friend’s house on the lake
Sins…forgiven
Laughter in the classroom as children learn
Laughter in the hallways as teachers walk
Laughter at my parents while Pop and Mags chill watching gerbil Olympics
The “Aha” moment for a child
Opportunity to share with others
New friends
For my sister’s kidnapping making me the woman I am today – triumph over tragedy with God’s love and healing
To laugh and enjoy life
Jesus paid it all…
Hot coffee from Dunkin Donuts thanks to my secret pal
A freshly baked chocolate chip cookie when I arrived to school
The laundry already folded and put away
God loves me when my daughter says, “I love you Mom”
God loves me when my husband hugs me tight
God loves me…in spite of myself
I lost my sister…
But found God…
And choose to use this tragedy to share Hope with others
Fears faced
Only God knows
Mystery of life
Hearts healed
Stomachs filled
Souls restored
Handwritten note from my sister
Notes from my parents
Gram’s diaries
A missed turn that saved time
A career I love
A house transformed into a home
For answered prayers
For unanswered prayers
A God who ALWAYS answers prayers – yes, no, not right now
As I purpose to list one-thousand nouns of thanks to God for my blog I find it easier to pay attention to the small things in life. Ann’s “February Joy Dare: capture these gifts” is a wonderful tool and springboard to zoning in items I may not have recognized before.
You can download a copy at:
http://www.aholyexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/FebruaryJoyDare.pdf
February’s Joy Dares
And my list continues:
11:30 a.m. – a student snuck a hand-drawn valentine onto my table to surprise me
2:30 p.m. – another valentine appeared, from a student not likely to express such care
6:30 p.m. – an appointment ends early which allows us to spend more time together
I overheard my Mom say, “I’m so proud of her…” talking about my daughter
I overheard a colleague mention “It’s that time of year again…
I overheard my daughter share her admiration of Mr. Jordan with her Pop, and Pop’s respect and friendship in return for this amazing man
Writing helps to keep my eyes open for God’s blessings
Blessed with inspiration through the writing of others
Writing brings healing
A shiny copper penny in spite of the February sand in the parking lot
A lost earring, found
A new perspective on life
A hand quilted bag made with love
Blocks for my upcoming speaking engagement – cut, sanded, built, and painted alongside and with the help of my beloved parents (they did most of the work while I was teaching – thank you Mom and Dad)
The strand of single crochet my daughter gave me when she learned to crochet – safely tucked in my jewelry box
A Lake Ontario sunset
Newly fallen snow
The sound of birds chirping
A healthy heart
The cardinal
Blood donated to save lives
My sister’s hair clip - broken
My mother’s locket - fixed
My engagement ring - thrifted
A snow day
A 3 day get-away at my friend’s house on the lake
Sins…forgiven
Laughter in the classroom as children learn
Laughter in the hallways as teachers walk
Laughter at my parents while Pop and Mags chill watching gerbil Olympics
The “Aha” moment for a child
Opportunity to share with others
New friends
For my sister’s kidnapping making me the woman I am today – triumph over tragedy with God’s love and healing
To laugh and enjoy life
Jesus paid it all…
Hot coffee from Dunkin Donuts thanks to my secret pal
A freshly baked chocolate chip cookie when I arrived to school
The laundry already folded and put away
God loves me when my daughter says, “I love you Mom”
God loves me when my husband hugs me tight
God loves me…in spite of myself
I lost my sister…
But found God…
And choose to use this tragedy to share Hope with others
Fears faced
Only God knows
Mystery of life
Hearts healed
Stomachs filled
Souls restored
Handwritten note from my sister
Notes from my parents
Gram’s diaries
A missed turn that saved time
A career I love
A house transformed into a home
For answered prayers
For unanswered prayers
A God who ALWAYS answers prayers – yes, no, not right now
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