Week One: One Thousand gifts

Seems we all have things that brand our lives, don't we? Things that we never forget. And regardless of time spent thinking on it and thinking of it, trying hard to move passed; it's never gonna go away. That is life. A very harsh reality.

I have followed Ann's blog for years and never knew this was all part of her story. Not until I began to read the pages did I ask myself...how in the world has she moved passed all this-darkness? It wasn't 'in the world' that she got through it, but in Christ Jesus. That's how.

Not too long ago I met with an old friend to catch up. She told me about some very serious marriage problems she is having. After listening to her I recall saying, with tears running down my cheeks, "I have been in some very dark places in my life. And it's in those places that you learn to love the light."

THANK GOD there is light even in darkness. But, what Ann says is true, it is a choice. God always leaves it a choice.

After all, he is a God of love not a God of force. He waits for you to call him. He waits for YOUR love. Seek him.

Thank God there is light somewhere in this black hole.

That that which tears open our souls, those holes that splatter our sight, may actually become the thin, open places to see through the mess of this place to the heart aching beauty beyond. ~Ann Voskamp

This is my prayer for all of us-

Dear God,
   I pray each one of us reaches for you, that you are the one we seek in time of need, in time of crisis, and in times of darkness. There is so much darkness Lord. I pray we seek the light that is you. And you are faithful God. You are always there. May we feel that deep inside today Lord. Carry us till we can put one foot in front of the other again. Forgive us when we desperately try on our own. Thank you for who you are...The Everlasting Faithful God. In Jesus' name and all according to your will, Amen.

Beauty

Of all the things the eye can see

when you go for a walk

In search of beauty...

                                                             You might be surprised

                                                          If you opened up your eyes

 

to see the wonder of it all

The start of 1000 Gifts Book Club

Okay there are still a few that haven't signed up for a google account so they can leave comments. It's easy. Go down a couple of posts and there is directions for you there. You can also leave comments anonymously(just type your name at the end of your comment so we know who wrote it) if you'd rather do it that way instead of signing up with google. But, all you really need to sign up with google is a username (email address) and a password. Once you get signed up leave me a comment.

Let's start today ladies. I've been waiting to dive in! I say we read a chapter a week and I'll post something here about each chapter every Monday. Next Monday will be the first post on the book-not tomorrow. When I do that I'll leave a link on FB just like I did this one. Please do comment on the posts here about anything you were thinking about while reading it. You never know what might help someone else.

 Little things matter.

 So, grab those Bibles and the One Thousand Gifts and I'll leave you with these thoughts:

What Will Today Bring?



This is the beginning of a new day.

God has given me this day to use as I will.

I can waste it or use it for good.

What I do today is important, because I am

exchanging a day of my life for it.

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,

Leaving in its place something I traded for it.

I want it to be gain, not loss;

Good, not evil;

Success, not failure,

In order that I shall never regret the price I paid for it.

                                           ~Author Unknown

So....
I dare you to get your highlighters out.
I dare you to mark what jumps off the pages.
I dare you to fall to pieces here.
I dare you to pick yourself back up.
I dare you to let the world SEE who you are.
I dare you to be changed.
I dare you to tell the story only you can tell.

...because everyone has a story and your story might just save someone else's life.

In the midst of it all, may we find joy. It's time to love God in a whole new way.


Dear God,
Help us to SEE the world around us no matter how beautiful or ugly. And help us to give thanks for it all. In Jesus' name, Amen

All The Things A Smile Can Say

I recently helped my mom move my grama into a nursing home. That's never an easy thing to do. We were sitting in the dining room of the assisted living facility we were moving her out of. My grama and her best friend were sitting across the table. Plates of goulash and corn sat in front of us and the task at hand loomed in the air.

I look up from my plate just in time to notice an exchange between grama and her friend Carmen. These women are old and their lives have been full of joy and sorrow. Carmen looks at grama and smiles with a smile that says, "how am I going to make it here without you?" Grama smiles back and grabs her hand, "How am I going to live there without you?"

Over my plate of goulash and corn, my eyes brim over with tears and all I can think is WHY? Why does life have to be full of goodbyes?

This morning I pushed back the curtains to see all the snow that had fallen gently at night while I slept. The memory of their smiles to each other comes to mind as I watch the snow sparkle in the morning light.

It saddened my heart and I wondered why again, that life is full of goodbyes? That's when the memory of their smiles, which is burned into my mind, ignited a thought deep in my soul...

Love is beautiful.

One simple truth that changes everything.






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Getting ready for: 1000 GIFTS!

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FB book study

I preordered this book over a month ago. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. I read her blog every morning. Ann gives me fresh thought for the day; a sense that all is really well no matter what. She has a gift. A GIFT! Her words make my spine straighten and shoulders push back so I can take a deep breath.That's what she can do with God. Help you breathe.

This is the book I would love to do an FB Bible study on. I'm not sure I could even call it a Bible study but a getting together and discussing how the book is changing us. And there is NO DOUBT this book will change us. No doubt this book will make us better. I already know thanksgiving will get me there. I just need someone to show me the way.

The book will be released in the next week or so, so there's still time. Order today and we'll begin reading soon. I'll keep you posted. Thinking we will read a chapter or so a week (if we can read that little at a time?) and then discuss it here on my blog. You'll have to set up an account to leave your thoughts after my posts, and I'll leave a link through FB. Push the comment button below and set up an account today!

I KNOW you won't be disappointed. Ann Voskamp is a gift from God...Order it today and let me know if you're in!

My Dear Friends...

I had made a comment about Jessica's celebration of life being refreshing. I almost deleted it several times hoping not to offend anyone. I mean who uses a word like that in a situation like that? Honestly it was the first word that came to mind so I wrote it.

After a short time I decided I'd go to dictionary.com just to see the actual definition of the word refreshing. This is what it said:

REFRESHING: having the power to restore freshness, vitality, and energy

The word is a perfect description of Jess' celebration!!!



While I have you here I also wanted to share a devotional I had written a couple of years ago. It's my butterfly story.

A Moment I Won't Forget

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Ecc. 3:11

Whenever I hear this verse I am taken back to the far corners of my mind, to that place where all my memories lie.

We lived in Georgia and one of me and Kyle's favorite things to do was to go check out new houses. The Atlanta suburbs are full of new construction. The kids didn't like this much because we could spend all day out there on the open road, stopping at any new subdivisions we came across.

We found one that was spectacular. Of course, the realtor was right there when we were getting the information on the houses out of the mailbox. We talked for a bit and then he wanted to show us this house that was only studded at that point. We looked at the house with him and then headed back out towards the car. As we were walking we were talking to this realtor and the whole time this was going on I could hear Dallas saying, "Mom...Mom...look at this!"

At this point I am getting really annoyed because I'm thinking how rude is this girl. Here I am trying to have a conversation with this man and she just keeps saying, "Mom..Mom...look at this!" So, I finally jerked my head around and in total irritation, hollered--"WHAT!!"

She had her hands cupped and with this huge smile on her face said, "Watch this."

Dallas opened up her hands and out flew the most beautiful butterfly I had ever seen. It was cobalt blue and it just fluttered around our faces for a few seconds and then flew off. It was breathtaking. I knew God had given that moment to me and Dallas. Something special for the two of us to share.

God does that, you know. Gives us special moments. Most of the time( like me) we don't take the time to notice them. I am so very glad that Dallas was persistent. And, I am so thankful that she is the type of person that "stops and smells the roses."

I learned some things that day.
-God gives us children to teach us how simple life can be

AND

-The Earth is filled with His glory!

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

                                           Ecc. 3:11

I always think of butterflies when I hear that verse. And you all- He WILL make everything beautiful again! Just don't be afraid to open up your wings and fly.

Love, Cheri