Monday, November 21, 2011

1000 Gifts

Photobucket



Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 

1 Corinthians 9:24


I'm running a race alright.  It's just that I'm often entered in the wrong event, dashing from one to-do list item to another, forgetting that the prize is not an empty list but an imperishable crown.  A telling sign that I'm getting off track, is when I stop thanking God for His daily gifts.  So last week I again picked up the pen and started recording.


It's been awhile since I've added to my gratitude list, so I when I logged into my blog this morning, I quick scanned my list of blog posts to see just how long it's been.  It was then that I noticed I had never published my last list back in early October!  I remember that I had finished the list, but I hate posting without at least one picture, so I was going to go find the camera, and the next thing you know almost two months have passed and my list sits still unpublished.  At least God knew of those little things that made my heart sing.  So #106 - #113 are from September, and the rest of the list are more recent. : )


106.  The thunk of walnuts hitting the deck.

107.  Making a cream cheese bagel for my daughter before an early morning swim practice, even though she's too tired and grumpy to care.

108.  My husband showing up unexpectedly after his Bible study to help me out as the kids gathered for swim team pictures.

109.  Trying new things, whether it be a cross country meet or a new recipe.

110.  A long drive through the pretty countryside. Even though we were lost and late.

111.  A very large but cuddly dog squeezed under the table as his family gathered for Sunday dinner.

112.  Sunday afternoon naps. I may have already had this one on the list, so just count me extra grateful.

113.  A silent car as my three kids prayed after seeing a huge fire on the way home from church. Seeing on the news that night that it was a barn fire and not someone's house and that there were no injuries.

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

114.  A swim coach (and friend) who totally "gets" my son when so few people really do.

115.  Encouraging comments (from the same coach) for a discouraged daughter.

116.  Seeing the talents of a homeschooled young man on Anna's track and cross country teams being utilized. He put together a great video of a recent meet and redesigned a website, and you just get the impression that homeschooling as allowed him the freedom to pursue his niche.

117. A friend and neighbor who answered the call to open an autism center in our area (and she's done an amazing job).


Photobucket

117.  A safe and fun trip for Marc and Anna to West Virginia for a cross country meet.

118.  A husband who is goofy enough to sing John Denver's "Country Roads" to a bus full of people. And my daughter, who takes after her quiet mother, didn't die of embarrassment.

119.  Learning experiences.  That's what this meet turned out to be.  Her personal result wasn't quite what she hoped for, but her team did very well and she's much wiser.


Photobucket

120.   A break from the busy.  Marc's working a half day today, Anna has one day of school, but then the whole family has a entire  week to rest, play, and be thankful.




7 comments:

  1. What a lovely list! Your family sounds like a lot of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amazing list. Sounds like you had a great week and much to be thankful for. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fun to find you through Joy Bennett's site. I'm right with you - discovering how much I spend time running 20 unimportant races and losing sight of what's best much of the time. I was just blogging about that today actually. So glad you had such a week of reminders of all that's good. Keep running that race, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A beautiful, beautiful list... and a very timely reminder to *give thanks* every. single. day. I needed to hear that today, my friend... so thank YOU!!

    And happy Thanksgiving!! Eat well. Rest lots. And savor that family time!

    Hugs from northern VA,
    heather

    ReplyDelete
  5. That, my friend, is exactly why so many of my post are pictureless- 2 months to find the camera. Love that sense of humor. :)

    What a great list (and pictures)! I love that the kids stopped to pray.

    Happy Thanksgiving to everyone at the Blue House from the OP family.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm cracking up over 118! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Missed you...Caleb took over Gracie's job of water cup. : ) ~Melanie

    ReplyDelete
  7. He's giving the job back to her....just a sub when she isn't there. : )

    ReplyDelete