Making my way through the devotional I've been reading for the past several months has left me grateful for the experience, yet longing for more. The words of Ann Voskamp, the author of One Thousand Gifts, has spoken to me in ways I had not previously been reached. I think it has been her honesty. She writes what others are thinking but do not dare say out loud.
The point of this book are the forty lined pages at the back. Each numbered line waits for me to come up with a word or phrase representing a blessing--a reason to feel loved. Feeling loved can also have to do with what I love. Rediscovering a list I made in a journal I still have near my rocking chair (from 2005!) I am reminded of how making this sort of a list helps one become present to life and find joy in the simple things.
coffee with cream
dark chocolate
the smell of rain
the sound of waves
singing together
flute music
quiet
eating garden-ripened tomatoes
laughing so hard I can't breathe
making someone else laugh
words spelled correctly
Birkenstock sandals
Just For Redheads cosmetics
conversations that have meaning
no laundry to do
pecan pie
handmade gifts
antique toys
Thanksgiving food
campfires
a well-told story
sunscreen protection
a good pillow
the possibility of angels
Mexican food
dark beer
red wine
no cavities
the scale going down
wearing black
being alone
being included
getting published
crying in a healing way
being united with others in the Spirit
hearing the birds before dawn
mint chocolate chip ice cream
Another thing that makes me profoundly happy is day old popcorn. Most people would probably say it is stale and throw it away, but I actually enjoy the chewy, salty, buttery goodness of it. I will make popcorn when I don't really want some just to leave it for the next day. Makes no sense at all.
The point of this book are the forty lined pages at the back. Each numbered line waits for me to come up with a word or phrase representing a blessing--a reason to feel loved. Feeling loved can also have to do with what I love. Rediscovering a list I made in a journal I still have near my rocking chair (from 2005!) I am reminded of how making this sort of a list helps one become present to life and find joy in the simple things.
coffee with cream
dark chocolate
the smell of rain
the sound of waves
singing together
flute music
quiet
eating garden-ripened tomatoes
laughing so hard I can't breathe
making someone else laugh
words spelled correctly
Birkenstock sandals
Just For Redheads cosmetics
conversations that have meaning
no laundry to do
pecan pie
handmade gifts
antique toys
Thanksgiving food
campfires
a well-told story
sunscreen protection
a good pillow
the possibility of angels
Mexican food
dark beer
red wine
no cavities
the scale going down
wearing black
being alone
being included
getting published
crying in a healing way
being united with others in the Spirit
hearing the birds before dawn
mint chocolate chip ice cream
Another thing that makes me profoundly happy is day old popcorn. Most people would probably say it is stale and throw it away, but I actually enjoy the chewy, salty, buttery goodness of it. I will make popcorn when I don't really want some just to leave it for the next day. Makes no sense at all.
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