Grace-gifts

I’m just finishing the book 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. My Pastor’s wife recommended it about a year ago, but I just recently downloaded it onto my Kindle.  For those of you who have read it, I’m sure you can relate to the eye-opening truth of counting God’s blessings. How something so simple can make such a difference! If you've not yet read it yet, I would highly recommend it.

This morning I got out my journal to add some gifts, and as I wrote them – there are so many – I found myself smiling; smiling over my list of thanks…

Dave (pictured in back) giving up his day off to set up a manual pump so we can have water again. 

 Edina’s pokey braids.

  


Jack experiencing a Blow-Pop for the first time.

Pele’s pastor-heart.

Cool morning after days of heat.

 

When I stop to count gifts I’m actually stopping to see God’s grace flowing. GRACE = undeserved favor. That means that I don’t deserve electricity – it’s a gift. I don’t deserve water coming into the house – it’s a gift. I don’t deserve the love and service of friends – it is a gift. So if all is a GIFT undeserved, then I should rejoice in even the smallest of things. As I take time to be thankful for God’s MANY grace-gifts, it changes my attitude. It takes my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. For if I am dwelling on the Giver of grace-gifts, I am not dwelling on self.

What grace-gifts have you counted lately? If you’ve not started, let me encourage you to start. Write some grace-gifts in the comments so we can rejoice with you over our Grace-Giver!