Gifts of Gratitude - Week of March 21, 2011

Never lose an opportunity for seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God’s handwriting -- welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, And thank God for it as a cup of His blessing.: -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Though I feel I'm becoming much more aware of the blessings that continually pour into my life moment by moment, I'm afraid I've missed so many more. I don't write them down immediately, thinking I'll do it later because I won't forget THAT one --- and I do forget --- a blessing lost. One that I clutched in my hands for a moment but never offered my thanks or thought it worth of a moment of my time to write it down. Strange paradox going on inside of me -- the more thankful I become and the more I SEE, the more aware I am of my unthankfulness. I think of the song we used to sing every single day when I was in the third grade:

Father, we thank Thee for the night,
And for the pleasant morning light;
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the world so fair.

Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good;
In all we do, in work or play,
To love Thee better day by day.

I had not thought of that little song in a million years (yeah, I'm THAT old!). But it has been going over and over in my head lately and I wondered about third grade. It was the year of huge changes in my life -- my mother died, our household increased from 5 kids to eight as my aunt came to care for us, changes in schools, etc. Hard things for an 8 year old to grasp and put into the perspective of thanks to a God who allows all things for my good. Yet, I had a teacher who taught us songs of thanks, to pray simply, and to live to be kind and good. Thank you, Miss Chilton!
And so my list continues:

99. A men’s chorus of 4 cardinals, all serenading 1 little female. I wonder if any one of these impressed her enough to set up housekeeping with. The song was beautiful, and she sat with perfect manners and listened to the end. Reminded me of the judges on American Idol!



100. A stinging hurt with questions of why? To embrace it means to hug tightly a bush full of thorns. Can I do that? I’ll have to come back to this one. It’s here -- in writing -- so I won’t forget and sweep it under the rug!

101. A gift --- from Sylvester --- my neighbor’s cat! I’m feeding him while they are away, and his thoughtful thank you gift for all my troubles was a rat. He was thoughtful enough to kill it first, and to remove the head. I’m so sorry, Cheryl. I tried. But I just COULDN’T pick it up and toss it!

102. Promise of prayers and words of encouragement from a dear friend.

103. Fresh, tender mustard greens. Weeks ago, while shopping through Lowe’s, I saw little mustard green plants. I bought 6 and planted them. I didn’t know they are considered “winter” crops here in Florida.
But I left them in anyways. We’ve had some cooler weather, so they did well. I picked as many leaves as
I could without killing off the plants, and cooked them up for supper tonight. Barely ‘nuf for one, but they were just the best ever. NOTHING like the canned, or the frozen in bags, or the bitter, old “fresh” stuff from the grocery store. This was sweet and tender. . . . Drooling good!!!!

104. And to go with my tiny serving of greens --- Harvard beets, left over diced baked potato rebaked in olive oil and seasonings, baked chicken breast. All the very best!

105. Blogs, more blogs, more lists of gratitudes. . . . All heart lifters, soul refreshers, eye fillers, and day huggers!

106. God’s constant provision from unexpected places. Answered prayer for one sends ripples of blessing to many. . . Including little old ME!

107. Sunny mornings, Buster squinting (does he need sunglasses???)

108. Finding a $100.00 Savings bond in an old book of mine. Why in the world would I put it in a book, of all places???? As if I would remember that. Can’t remember where I put my keys, no less a savings bond. But it’s been safe and unspent all these years. Like getting a gift!!! No, it IS a gift!

109. A HUGE garbage bag full of burrs pulled from my backyard. I thought I pulled them all last year. . . . Hmmmmm!!!! I was having a hard time saying thank you for this one as I was standing on my head in the hot sun pulling these little suckers, but now that I’m cooled off, I’m VERY thankful they won’t be in my feet (or Buster’s).

110. A friend who went out of their way to mail me an “absolutely, positively has to be here by Saturday” item that I needed for a gift.

111. That Jesus “let go” of everything for ME! Thank you, Craig! Isn’t it just like the Lord to bring something onto someone’s blog that just strikes you like this, and then. . . . WHAM! Like a slap on the back of my head. . . I need to let go of some things. There stands the Lord with the list. . . And a gentle, “Will you for MY sake?”

112. Pastor’s testimony of leading hard-core bikers to the Lord this week. God has given him a special gift and a special ministry to reach these guys. It is amazing and jaw-dropping to hear the stories and how God arranges it all. Even more amazing to see the depths of tenderness and concern and love in this biker/pastor’s heart.

113. Mac and cheese, meatballs and sauce. Comfort food to the max!

114. Waking up to a bird’s song --- long before sunrise. Unusual for me to be up so early. It’s light now, traffic has begun, and this guy is still singing away. Sometimes low and soft, almost like muttering to himself, other times loud and proud. I wonder how many songs he knows and which he likes best???

115. Buster’s thumping tail when he realizes I’m awake. Nothing else moves. Just wide eyes waiting and a thumping, happy tail!!! Why did I open my eyes???? He saw my eyes. I’m so loved!

116. A greater awareness of the Cross, the cost of the grace offered me, the love that embraces me.

117. Learning to keep my prayers simple, honest and “without ceasing!”

118. Learning patience while waiting for radish plants to produce radishes.

119. Having to say good-by as the wisteria blossoms drop to the ground one by one by one. This was a hard one.
I’ll have to wait a whole ‘nuther year.

120. Saying hello to unexpected roses. As hard as I try, I can’t seem to kill them off!

121. A surprise deep in the woods. A young Magnolia tree (teen age in size) had survived the unusual freezes of our winter. I couldn’t help but wonder how it got there --- I don’t think any of our neighbors have magnolia trees. One little seed one day just happened to land there and let God do His thing --- all alone and in silence where no one would notice, appreciate or give thanks! Probably years had passed with changing seasons of drought, rain, cold, warm -- never offered even a caring glance. Today it changed. I saw, I noticed, and I gave thanks. Not so much for the tree, but because I really SAW!

122. Teamwork! On my way to the grocery store, I saw two people who seemly were trying to climb a telephone pole! I recognized them immediately from church and they were putting up signs that would direct people from the community to our picnic/cookout on Sunday! I don’t know why, but it just made me start laughing. I’m not sure who ended up with the easier job --- the crabby gourmet trying to make ten pounds of potatoes into potato salad (ME), or these two climbing telephone poles!

123. Potato salad. MOUNTAINS of potatoes, LOTS of peels for the compost pile. LOTS of looking forward to tomorrow’s picnic after the morning service. LOTS of thanks to the Lord that this job was done!

124. Help of a friend cutting onions, celery, peppers, etc.

125. The most beautiful day you could EVER ask for for an after church cookout.

126. Seeing people stop by, young and old, bikers and suits, and welcomed with hugs, hot dogs, and horse rides!

127. Liz and Dan who took on a servant’s heart and joyfully went above and beyond to make today one we all will never forget.

128. Pastor’s sermon this morning! I’m not a person who shows much feeling on the outside. I was raised by very strict, Dutch parents who believed that you kept your mouth shut, your feet still, your arms by your side while in church. No “Amens”, no raised arms or hands, etc. I got many an elbow in my ribs for just crossing my legs too many times! But today? . . . . It had to rate up there as being one of those times when I felt I wanted to at least shout, YES!!!! There it was . . . Of all places, in II Kings 6:18. Elisha prayed to the Lord for his servant saying, “Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see.” And the story ends with the servant opening his eyes and seeing the horses and chariots of fire. First, I thanked the Lord for yet another conformation from Scripture of Ann’s book. Second, I asked Him to open MY eyes to see, REALLY see that He is always there in every situation. Third, I asked that somehow, no matter how hard or difficult it may be, that I would be changed through each one.

129. For sweet fellowship and the testimony of a lady’s love for the Lord. Hardships beyond that I could ever
Comprehend, yet a trust and thankful heart for all that God has done for her.

130. The grace of deep cleansing and the love of forgiveness. Over and over again. Always given. But at such a price!

There are hundreds of people who just keep counting the gifts they have learned to see in the moments of their lives. I've found it the most soul-lifting experience to read these lists. .. . perhaps you would like to read them too! You will a list of these gift counters by cliking on the link: