Thanksgiving.

"I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. 

I have learned the secret of living in every situation, 

whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little."

-Philippians 4:11-12

I've started to read a book called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp....and it has completely made a difference in my life. In this book, Ann challenges her readers to find thanksgiving in EVERY circumstance. Ann writes about the heart wrenching experiences that she has had in her own life, and how she was still able to give thanks no matter what. "Our salvation in Christ is real, yet the completeness of that salvation is not fully realized in a life until the life realizes the need to give thanks."  You might not agree with this statement, and the first time I read it I didn't know if I really believed it either. But this book challenged me to start writing down all the gifts from God I encountered in a day. It started out with basic things, and the more I was looking for blessings, the more I saw them. And the more I saw them, the more I wanted to see more of them. I've only been writing them down for about a week now, and I've encountered over 50 Gifts in my everyday life....and those are only the ones that I took the time to write down. I keep a journal, with encountered gifts such as these: 

2. The smell of the air right before it rains.

5. Walking barefoot in grass.

12. Colorful children's books.

17. Stopping to listen to the whole congregation sing.

25. Sunshine on cold skin.

29. Smiles from strangers.

32. The reliable 'ticking' of our bathroom clock.

40. Sitting still.

44. Old buildings, each with a unique story.

50. Shimmering dew on grass.

52. Old couples holding hands.

It's things like these that I began to notice....and even find joy in. How often do we go through our everyday life and not take the time to notice the little things? And not only notice them, but to thank God for them? 

My way of thanking God is by acknowledging these small gifts and writing them down. I believe the practice of noticing blessings and writing them down will help me when I experience hard times later on...because I know that it's inevitable. This practice now, will help me to see God's gifts later when it's more difficult. And not only will it help me later on, but it's helping me right NOW. It's helping me enjoy life more, rather than going through the motions. Instead of just driving to work in the morning, I can use that as an opportunity to find a gift. I actually take the time to look at the buildings and people I'm driving past, instead of passing by like they don't exist. Life is short and time is valuable. So why not use the time we have and find joy in everything! This week I challenge you to READ THIS BOOK! I'll even let you borrow my copy! My second challenge is to start writing down the small gifts in your life. Anything from the feeling of folding warm clothes straight from the dryer, to spontaneous lunch dates with old friends. Start noticing them! Life is just too short to let it all pass by.