Tag Archives: Gift

Live In Grace

It is Wednesday, dead in the middle of winter. This season of cold and snow has wrapped the Mid-west in its white blanket. I’m not feeling all that great today. I hope it is just a passing thing and not real sickness that has come for a visit. I have felt well enough to read some blogs and status’ this morning. One friend wrote something about her life, something I did not know. She was brave to write the words from her heart. While reading her words I was reminded about how much we are all loved by The Word, Jesus Christ.

My memory verse from last week, for the Jesus Project, is from John 1:16.  “Because He was full of grace and truth, from Him we all received one gift after another.”  He gives us His grace. So many times we hear that word, we know that word, but we find it difficult to live in that word.

Instead of writing an entire post today, I chose to pull up one of my favorites that I wrote awhile ago.

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It’s All Grace

I had just returned  from an early morning walk.

I was struck by the beauty of this scene…a  scene right in my front yard.

I’m so glad I took the time to snap the picture.

My peaceful morning picture.

I enjoy looking at it. Over and over again.

Saturday night I was completely awestruck by the beauty of the “super” moon. The moon was huge. And perfect.

The light it cast was reflecting on the winter lake across the road. Out here, in rural America we have “winter water lakes” .  The lakes are not real lakes. In our case, the farmer across the road has a low spot in his field. The rain and snow melt cause a lake to form. It doesn’t last forever but, for now the geese and ducks love it….and so do I.

The moonlight rippled across the water. The black silhouette of a still bare tree. The moon. The beautiful moon.

I had a difficult time pulling my gaze away from the scene.

I could hear frogs croaking in the darkness, along with the shrill sound of a killdeer.

I attempted to take a picture. I wanted to capture the beauty of the moment. Alas, my camera was unable to accurately copy the night time scene. My picture was dark.  I wonder if  catching moonlight is even possible?  I ended up with a dark picture with a white spot in the middle…which was the moon. No aura. No still beauty. No moonlight.

I wanted to savor the moment so I grabbed my Eurcharisteo journal…and I gave thanks.

#281  bright moon, close to Earth

#282  cool night air

#283  silhouette of bare tree under moonlight

#284  moon mirrored in the winter lake, in the field

#285   enjoying the beauty of God

#286   afternoon nap

#287  snuggling

#288  breath taking views

#289  pink

#290  the awe in the Almighty

#291  warm sweater

#292  smooth hair

#293  my tall son

#294  blue tennis shoes

# 295  Jeremiah 31:9

#296 comfortable clothes

#297  early morning quiet

#298 breakfast

#299 sunlight on the barn

#300 the mail van stopping at my house

It’s all by His grace. Every bit of it.

As I’ve been writing down in my notebook…. filling it with eucharisteo, I have become more and more aware of this fact.

If you are interested in reading more, click on the Multitudes on Mondays graphic in the right hand column.

Slow Down

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Some friends and I are participating in a Bible study based on Ann Voskamp’s  book, One Thousand Gifts. She shares how God has given us time, time to do this one life, well. How often to we rush through life as if it is an emergency? Running…always running…but, not really seeing.

Slow down. Savor each moment. See the moment for what it is…a gift.

She says that naming the gifts in the moments, offers the gift of recognition. It helps us see.

God is the giver of all things, and oh how He has blessed me! Yes, some of those gifts didn’t seem like gifts at the time. I struggled. I cried. I yelled in frustration. That is why it is so important to see the gifts given, so when the times are difficult and I feel myself in a dark place….I can be reminded that God is faithful. Always, always faithful.

I’d like to share pictures of just some of my gifts.

I smile as I remember each one…

 

 

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The Notebook

The notebook is worn. The pages wrinkled and stained.

A permanent ink marker featuring a chisel tip....

Eucharisteo is written in black permanent marker across the front of the book.

A book of thanks…for all the moments. All the moments, that truly are gifts.

Little things. Simple things. Big things. Life changing moments.

The first words written…

1. healing 2. family bonds 3. hugs 4. a much needed massage 5. Lonnie 6. warm cookies 7. funny jokes 8. warm blankets 9. quiet evenings 10. walking the dogs 11. reading a good book 12. love 13. my friends 14. a hot drink of coffee 15. crazy quotes 16. laughter 17. cozy socks 18. soft light 19. a warm shower 20. inspiration

The list continued throughout the year…trying to capture the beauty in each day. The climb to one thousand things. The gifts that God gave me. The gifts He continues to give. The more I wrote, the more I saw.

The thanksgiving never ends, because the Giver always gives.

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11 NIV

The roar of the wind, the snow globe world, the whistle of a train, phone calls from friends. Early morning sunrises of purple and pink, bright sunshine, and blog comments. Scripture that assures me, having a purpose, clean kitchen counters, and a casserole in the oven that smells so good.

Each moment captured with the pen…so I remember.

I want to be reminded, so on days that are gray and unclear…I will know that the Giver still gives. He has not forgotten me. When times are hard (and those times always come!) I will be reminded of His love for me and it will be (is) with my thanksgiving, that I show Him my love.

That my legacy will stand firm. That future generations will read and know, that God is good. Always good.

And, always the Giver… of life.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17  NIV

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The list continues today:

* having a good hair day

* leftovers in the fridge

* dandelions that color the front yard

* a chicken coop almost done

* being able to touch student’s lives

* a favorite, well worn pair of sweat pants

* beautiful, goofy pictures

* Easter morning

* The Resurrection

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A Gift

Česky: Modrý budík English: Blue alarm clock

Want to play Five Minute Friday? It’s easy peasy!

the gypsy mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat on the prompt- no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Meet & encourage someone who linked up before you.

OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes on:  GIFT

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As much as I sometimes complain or gripe about certain days…. time truly is a gift, no matter what kind of day I happen to be having.

Time is a most valuable gift, and sadly, most of the time I don’t appreciate it like I should.

Once minutes are gone, they cannot be recaptured….and yet, I am so cavalier in the way I spend

my precious moments.

On days when I am contemplative, I think back to the day my late husband uttered these words,

“Dawn, the vacuuming can wait. Just sit with me for awhile. I’m dying and I won’t be here forever.”

A profound moment in time,

that is forever etched in my mind.

Two weeks later, my husband was gone.

If I could say anything at all with my writing…..it would be this:

value the time you have.  Enjoy it more. Savor it more. Use it more. Appreciate it more, because once it is gone, it is gone.

God gave us a certain amount of time in this life.

He expects us to be good stewards of the gift He has given us.

 

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Love Is A Great Gift

Holding hands“Love is never having to say you’re sorry.”

I don’t know who ever came up with that quote…but, just for the record I hate it. I completely disagree with the sentiment.

That statement is full of pride. The very thing that builds up walls and causes isolation, even within relationship.

Now, I cannot speak for everyone, but I know for myself that I am imperfect.

You heard me. Imperfect. I freely admit it.

Stubborn. Opinionated. Fierce.

Slow to boil, but when the steam is rising—step back or you might get burned.

Ugh. I dislike that about myself.

It has taken me years to realize that my gift of words can heal…or they can hurt.

And the choice is mine.

On Valentine’s Day everyone is talking about love. Millions of dollars are spent on showing each other how much we care.

Then February 15th rolls around and it is back to usual.

Relationship with any intimacy at all, is going to have times when the imperfect collides with reality.

Those times are the perfect time to say “I’m sorry”.  Those words have healing power, if said with sincerity.

Those words humble me.

Love in the real world is not some Saturday afternoon chick flick. It’s not the handsome guy on a white horse. Or even drowning in expensive chocolates……

Love is strong. And it is tough. And it is brave.

It is humbled. And it is servant. And it is forgiving.

Love is a great gift.

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Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2

 

 

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A Thousand More…

Friendship

Sometimes gifts are intangible…

Ones that are never held in the hands,

or covered in glitter and bows.

The most precious of gifts are held

only in the heart.

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* God’s promises to me

* the love of my Lord

* redemption

* in a world of people, finding my husband

* being a mom, mother, mama, or mommy

* kisses on the forehead

* knowing true friendship

* vivid memories of days gone by

* moments in time that live forever

* sparkling sunlight against the window

*  winter wind that whips the hair

*  the warmth of holding hands

* embracing, heart to heart

* compassion, given and received

* the soft smile on a face

* unique talents and abilities

* the deep satisfaction of a job well done

* peace, sweet peace, at the end of the day

The deep understanding that life in all of its splendor is a gift, given by the One who truly does not hold back…

but, loves me in spite of myself.

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?   Romans 8:32 NIV

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True Joy Is A Gift

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Image by Ninian Reid via Flickr

Today Bonnie gave us this topic to write on….

Complete the following sentence:  A gift you’ve recently received from God.

Hmmmm….

I feel like I should write something BIG here, or maybe something deeply profound, or life altering. Alas, nothing like that comes to mind.

Over my lifetime, God has indeed given me gifts. Gifts that have forever altered my life. I don’t think that is what I’m going to write about today….Bonnie wants, recently.

The thought that keeps niggling at the back of my mind is the word contentment. Oh God, not that! I don’t consider contentment a “gift”. I’m not even any good at being content. I know. I know. It’s a lesson, right Lord? A lesson, that if I could ever REALLY learn it, would be a gift. A gift beyond measure. You’d think someone who had spent the majority of her life either as a student or a teacher (or both at once) , would be able to pick up on a lesson, right? Be able to catch on quickly? Um…. no.

I am working at contentment. Thank God, He has yet to give up on me.

The other night I was walking back from the barn with my husband. It was dark outside. We were walking together, my arm linked with his. I appreciated the quiet stillness all around us, broken only by the occasional distant moo, or bark. The moonlight made our front yard glow. I was thankful and content in that moment. I suppose it is a gift to be able to truly appreciate in the moment…to be able to consciously step back and be grateful for those minutes in time.

I long to be better at this. Happiness is fleeting. Don’t we all know that? Some days are better than others. I want more than happiness, because feelings are so fickle.

I want joy.

In my mind, contentment and joy are two sides of the same stone.

As I work on being content in all circumstances…God will give me joy.

And true joy IS a gift.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.   Psalm 28:7   NIV

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Feeling Time

Clouds and Sun rays

On occasion, I can hear time. The sound is faint, a whisper.  The sound of moments that I have been ignoring in order to rush through my days. My perspective was all messed up. For me, who has been through some perspective changing life altering moments, one would think I’d remember. Yet, I forget. Forget what is truly important. Forget how quickly time melts away. Forget to savor the here and now.

My eyes and ears are opened now, to catch a fleeting glimpse of eternity. In the grit of my today…time slows.  When I stop, to be fully in the moment, thanking God for even the smallest of gifts, I am forced to slow down. Breathe. Enjoy. Savor.

God is good. He gave me beautiful gifts this morning.

* The reflection of the sun’s rays bouncing from behind a cloud. The sunlight spilling out from an opening in the cloud, causing a rainbow of golden colors. An amazing sight. Thank you God for beauty.

* A hug from my son. His arms around me. Long, slender arms…full of young man strength. Hugs that I will miss, when he is a fully grown man and is gone… out to discover the world on his own. Thank you God for making me a mommy.

* My husband, hair tousled in sleep. Eyes closed, breathing soft. Thanking God.

* The sunlight splattered on the foyer wall. Swirling light.

* The hum of the refrigerator. When we first moved in after the building process, we didn’t have a refrigerator (left it in the house we sold). I never appreciated my refrigerator, until I didn’t have one. Thank you God for food and for refrigeration. Thank you for provision.

* The smell of the morning air. Pregnant with the aromas of mud and country.

As most of you know, I am reading Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts. Her words challenge me with each chapter read. If I take her God inspired words to heart, I will continue to change.

In chapter four she states, “I just want time to do my one life well.”  Isn’t that what we each want?  But you might be thinking, time stops for no one. Life is a rush. So much to do…so little time. It is a choice. A decision. If we each choose to stop, meet God in the moment, time can slow. Thankfulness, appreciation can do that.

My fingers tap out sounds on my keyboard. I hear my son clear his throat. I see the blueness of the sky reflected on my computer screen. I smile as I notice the fur that I need to sweep from the floor. God is so big…and yet, He is so small. He is right here, present, in this moment.

 

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A Dare To Live Fully

Silver Gift Boxes

The postman delivered my book last evening. The book, written by Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts. I was so excited to receive it.  Despite all the snow and ice on the roads the postman got it to me.

I read the first chapter and into the second. I wanted to be prepared for the video book club that starts today. To be able to discuss. To share.

Mrs. Voskamp is an author who has the skill of a surgeon, her words cut through me like a knife. From the very beginning, she challenged me…caused me to consider.

How do we live in a world full of pain, in the shadows of what should have been? How do we live a life of thankfulness in the midst of it all?

Radical gratitude. Not what you might think.

 

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Are These Gifts For Real?

Film poster for Napoleon Dynamite - Copyright ...

Image via Wikipedia

First of all I want to say a BIG, HUGE, GIGANTIC thank you to all the people that stopped by my blog yesterday. I love being “freshly pressed”. Of course, if someone is not in the blogging world and I tell them that I’m excited about being freshly pressed, they get this look in their eyes that says, “God love her heart, but she’s as nutty as her Christmas fruitcake.” That’s okay. I’m used to that, after all variety is the spice of life, right? I have several new readers, and people from all over the world told me that they like my blog. It makes me smile….so yeah, thanks again. My readers are the best.

 

ARE THESE GIFTS FOR REAL?

Have you found yourself at the department store or the mall, staring at gifts that are just down right weird? You wonder to yourself, do people really buy these for their LOVED ones? I will admit I probably stay more on the traditional side when it comes to Christmas presents. I’m all about sticking with a theme for people. I try to tailor the gifts to the person’s taste. With that said, there are some gifts that are just over the top. What do you think of these? Would you put these things under your tree?

1. Sudoku Toilet Paper— I don’t know about you but, I don’t spend THAT much time in the bathroom. Sudoku problems take me awhile…even then I don’t have the patience to finish them. I would be in the bathroom all day. My family would have to send in a search party. On second thought that might not be such a bad idea.

2. Christmas at Ground Zero– This is a CD by Wierd Al Yankovic .  Really? Um…..I don’t think so. A weird Christmas album with the setting of Ground Zero. That is not the site that would put me in a festive spirit. How did he come up with this? I suppose he is weird for a reason. Definitely not a White Christmas moment. Cover your ears, Bing.

3.Tattoo Parlor Kids Playset — This is for all the kids that are planning a career in the graphic arts field. One can’t ever start to soon to learn the art of tattooing. You could be known in the ‘hood as the kiddie tattoo parlor. Have friends over so your kids can ply their new trade. Just sayin’ this could be big if you work it right…..of course, I think it might be illegal for minors. If anyone asks, deny knowing what in the world is going on.

4. LED Flashing Shoe Laces— Who wouldn’t want to glow in the dark? One could turn all the lights off in the house and amaze their family and friends with their flashy, glowing shoe laces. Plus it would totally freak out the family cat, and the kittie would attack the laces. There would be a lot of rolling around on the floor, fur flying, lace gnawing, and a few screams going on…..but, try to keep the Christmas spirit.Have your story straight for the ER doctor.

5. Napoleon Dynamite Lip Balm— I loved the Napoleon Dynamite movie. I truly am weird that way. At least I admit it. As long as the lip balm doesn’t smell like Tina the llama, from the movie, I could probably deal with it. I wonder if the lip balm would have you talking in a monotone voice with an uncontrollable urge to shoot wolves with your cross bow? Just a thought.

…..A little holiday humor to make you smile today……..You may now go back to your regularly scheduled life……


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