The Gift of Today
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17
By now, I’m sure you’ve heard of the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. The book tells her story of moving from fear and anguish to deep joy and contentment as she started documenting the gifts of her life. Obviously, there were things to be grateful for like her family and house, but she started seeking out the most ordinary of moments, and quickly realized how these mundane things–when celebrated–actually drew her closer to God.
Whenever I find myself stressed out and anxious or feeling down and afraid, if I can root myself in the goodness of God, I can more quickly get out of the funk that I’m in. It doesn’t fix everything like I sometimes wish it would, but looking around at my life and calling out the good reminds me how much God has already blessed me with and settles my heart to remember that He’s been good to me before and He will be again.
Today I have a challenge for you: pull out a sheet of paper or create a new note in your phone, and throughout the day, record twenty beautiful, ordinary things you’re grateful for in your life. They can be as big or small as you want; you can jot down all twenty right now, throughout your day, or before bed. What matters is that by the end of the day, you’ve found the small blessings God has sprinkled all throughout your life, and that you take a minute to pause and remember his goodness. Thank Him for seeing you, loving you, and being with you. Thank Him for the gifts of your life, and watch how that gratitude changes your heart.
Below is my list for today. If you finish your list and want to share it with us, we’d love to celebrate with you the beautiful gifts of God in your life!
Twenty Gifts of Today:
- The warm summer sun
- Family photos from our recent beach trip
- Morning coffee with my husband
- Reading through the whole Bible for the first time
- Far away friends who send care packages and cards
- Having a “conversation” with my two month old (her coos)
- Painting with my two year old
- Coffee filter butterflies
- A summer rainstorm
- A walk around the neighborhood
- A clean bedroom
- Warm laundry
- Time to curl up with a good book
- A phone date with my sister
- My small group
- My daughter’s obsession with rocks
- Staying in my pjs long into the afternoon
- Quiet
- A stack of books to be read
- Art above my writing desk