The Gift of Counting [more than 1,000 gifts]

Drum roll, please! I am excited to announce I am officially over one thousand in my list of One Thousand (or more) Gifts. I’m telling you this, not to pat my back, but to sing the praises of keeping such a list.

I began purposely jotting down things I am thankful for on August 23, 2011, in response to Ann Voskamp’s bestselling book One Thousand Gifts, a Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. Now nearly 13 months later, I’ve posted my 1,011th blessing–and counting.

What an incredible gift it has been to take this dare.

In my original One Thousand (or more) Gifts post I wrote:

“This is what Rachel has been trying to “tell” me for 13 years–in order to truly live joyfully, we must notice and be thankful for the little things, the millions of tiny gifts of grace God passes out to us throughout our lifetime. Rachel lives this! After 44 years, it is time for me to start living it as well.”

I have to honestly say, while Rachel still lives it, I still do not–not fully. But I’m closer, much closer. Noticing God’s gifts comes much easier to me than it did 13 months ago. I think of the Lord more.

Now when my day turns south, I’m not stuck in the quicksand of self-pity. My mind automatically searches for a silver lining, a sliver piercing the dark, a gem set in the grime of life. Instead of focusing on the rain, I look for the rainbow.

God knew what this exercise would do for me. How it would lighten my load. How it would bring me a greater measure of peace and joy. He knew it would begin renewal in my heart and draw me closer to Him.

It can do the same for you. Why not start today?

Join Ann’s Joy Dare: Begin a life of gratitude. Transform your heart; count just three gifts a day. Count them in a journal or in a digital format–whichever way you are comfortable.

The important thing is, do it. Let the joy of the Lord permeate your life.

“Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly to Him in song” (Psalm 95:2).

Share in the Discussion: Are you intentional about thanking God daily for the gifts in your life? If so, how has that practice blessed you? If not, what is stopping you?

Linking #991–1,011 (click here to read the entire list) with Ann Voskamp for

• Clean Inbox: deleted 2 yrs of emails!; New laptop is ready to take over; Natural oasis in middle of concrete jungle
• Fresh air to breathe; Opportunity to address the “hard” stuff with boy number 3; Kiss from sweet daughter
• Seeing messes of my life redeemed in lives of Bible heroes; Power & majesty of God revealed in creation; More kittens
• Meeting @bobvanderplaats; Lunch out with my hubby; Thoughtful questions from and discussion with my 16-year-old son
• Mist-shrouded lake; Camp Courageous: a special place for Rach to spend the weekend; We serve a God of forgiveness
• Playing tennis with my 11 year old; This day & every day–period; Peppermint tea when a cold threatens to take over
• Cool, still, irresistible evening; Witnessing the miracle of baptism; Celebrating the beauty of a new life

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By His grace ≈

Julie