Counting all God's gifts...

Friday, April 30, 2010

Child-like Faith


34)My children showing me what child-like faith really looks like!

My youngest, who is 4, woke up today feeling sad. She went to bed sad, too. So this morning she said to me, "Can I pray to God to take away my sadness." Of course, we sit and I say words that would be easy for a 4 year old understand and really mean.

"Dear Lord, thank You that You know my heart. Take away my sadness, and fill my heart with joy. Help me to have a good day today."

So simple. And afterwards, she was happy. So, I prayed a similar prayer for myself. If my 4 year old can trust that Jesus will fill heart with joy, I should, too.

35)Tiny hands helping

Thursday, April 29, 2010

# 33

I am so blessed!



Psalms 127:3-4
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.

For a long time I viewed being a mother as some sort of punishment for how I behaved as a child, thinking that I was reaping what I had sown. I don't think I ever realized this verse existed, till about 3 years ago. It changed the way I saw my role as their mother. It helped me on those days when I feel inadequate, and unsure of my ability to train them. I remind myself that God saw some reason to bless, and "reward" me. I am truely blessed.

#33)Little girls in swings!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Getting Started

4)A husband I hate being apart from.
5)Children who make me smile, even when I want to yell at them.
6)Rain clouds even without rain
7)Soft grass under my barefeet
8)Being blessed to be able to cook food for family
On a side note, I have not always felt this way. I used to resent cooking, but God has provided me with such an amazing opportunity to be home and provide a healthy meal for my household.
9)Waterproof markers, paint, and any other creative coloring device
10)Princesses with dirt under their nails
11)Pink fingernails and toenails
12)Hot bubble baths at night, in silence
13)Music in my head
14)Praise and worship on Sunday mornings
15)Crosses in the entry way - marking The Way
16)Glow in the dark nail polish
17)Even the smallest light shining in the dark
18)Reading childhood stories
19)A nosey 8 year old - :)
20)Encouraging words from people being willing vessels
21)Dying daily
22)Living for eternity
23)Walking to the park
24)pushing little girls on the swing
25)Swinging
26)Clean clothes being put away
27)Ivory piano keys
28)Family pets
29)Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli
30)Being taught patience
31)I would rather be in a small with my husband than in a large bed alone
32)Big words with deep meanings

Something New

I've got get better at this. I want to get 1000, by the end of the year. And I know there is so much to be thankful for!

So, I did the math and there are roughly 35 weeks left in the year, so to reach my goal of 1000, I need to 28 a day.

I know that should be easy, but for some reason, I feel I may have bit off more than I can chew!

Well, here's to number 3 - God gave me a big mouth, so I can do this!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Slowing Down

So, I'm not very good at this being thankful thing apparently. I think sometimes I am just too busy. Like Martha, cooking, cleaning, and trying to work my way through life. Am I doing enough good works?
Today, I am thankful for slowing down. Those days when there is nothing that has to be done, and I am wondering around looking for something to do to keep myself busy. But no matter how hard I try, there just isn't anything. I want to learn that those days are for a purpose, to sit at the feet of Jesus. To worship Him, to praise Him, to be in His presence. It is on those days, that He can truely work on me. When I'm not running around, then I am silent and listening.

I am thankful today for slowing down.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What does the worker gain from his toil?
10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.