Counting Blessings

I'm such a fiction junkie that I actually made a commitment a few months ago to read a chapter of some form of non-fiction each day before I allow myself to become immersed in a story. There were several reasons for this challenge to myself: to get into something edifying to myself, to plow through some of those parenting books sitting unread on my bookcase, to make my brain work a little bit! Last month I finished a parenting book, so this month I decided to read something just for me, a book that I've been wanting to get into for quite a while now.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp is truly a beautiful book. I've found myself lost in the pages and forgetting all about the novel waiting to be opened! The author weaves words like a poet. She tells her story and her message in such a way that I am not surprised this farmer's wife from rural Ontario has found herself on the New York Times bestseller list! She speaks about gratitude in a new way — suggesting that until we have named the gifts God has given us, we have not truly accepted them. Her challenge, the one she accepted herself long ago and offers to all of her readers, is to create our own lists. Lists of things that we love. Lists of things that bring us joy. Gratitude lists.

I'm starting my list today. Here. I won't always share my list for all to see, but from time to time I'll add a few items, just to focus my mind and my heart. Even when it is hard to think of something. Especially when it's hard to think of something! Here goes...

1. Freshly painted walls dappled with sunlight.
2. Cousins laughing together at play.
3. Joyful and long-awaited news from a friend.
4. A cozy blanket on a frosty morning.

Anyone care to join me?