A few weeks ago I started a small group using the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. The book is about the authors challenge to list 1,000 gifts in her life and in the study the challenge is passed on to us to start a list of gifts. At first it seemed like a great idea, who doesn't want to stop, slow down, and recognize the gifts that God has given to us. We all have them, each one of us has been given gifts from God whether big or small. Life is busy though, and sometimes it is just downright hard. I found myself these past few weeks as I prepared to lead the study finding it hard to focus on the gifts. Life is busy...it is rushed...and there are a "thousand" things that take our time. I don't have "time" to slow down and look at the gifts and quite frankly maybe I just don't want to. I am tired, and a bit overwhelmed, why in the world would I want to sit down and list out the gifts God has given me each and every day. As we discussed this and so much more in small group this week, I was telling someone else sometimes you just have to start listing the gifts whether you feel like it or not; maybe the point is as you start to list them you will feel more thankful and start to have a change of attitude behind it. Maybe it isn't about us always doing it in the right attitude, but maybe it is just about us starting the list and recognizing those things day in and day out that will slowly start to bend our hearts and help us to slow down in the craziness in life to thank God for his MANY GOOD GIFTS He has given us. As I said it I knew I was also speaking to myself...so yes life has been hard the last few weeks, but in it all there have been gifts and lots of them !
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| PIZZA from DJ's that makes for a quick meal! |
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Kids who are willing to get up in the "wee" hours of the
morning to cheer on the crazy people who like to join
in on these early morning events. |
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Friends who love to run in early morning events...
and legs that allowed me to run in my 2nd half-marathon. |
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Time away from DAR...mountains...relaxation...
time to reflect on life and seek God's wisdom |
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God's amazing creation that way to
often I miss in the business of life. |
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Cute U11 Salasala boys soccer team that just love
to play the game at every opportunity they can get |
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BEAUTIFUL sunsets that God paints in the
sky and I get to see walking home from work. |
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A cold, refreshing swimming pool, overlooking
mountains during mid-term break. |
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Fall parties...bobbing for apples
one that I don't have a picture of but the many friends I have near and far who continue to support me so that I can continue to serve here.
WHAT ARE THE GIFTS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU? HAVE YOU SLOWED DOWN ENOUGH TO SEE THEM IN THE PAST FEW DAYS?
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