Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I struggle to give thanks during the trials and challenges of life. Joining the Gratitude Community every Monday is a discipline that forces me to see, even when I sometimes would rather not. There are times when my heart wants to grumble and complain about how the food was better back in Egypt rather than bending down and seeing the manna at my feet. When I think there is nothing to see in the darkness at all, He brings the graces to me-friends who check in with me, bring me dinner, pray for me and love me when I’m least lovable. His grace is endless indeed!

Giving the hard thanks this week:

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January 16: 3 ways you witnessed happiness today-Ian learning to ride without training wheels!, brothers playing, their excitement over selecting a new book from the store

January 17: one gift that made you laugh, one gift that made you pray, one gift that made you quiet-friend coming over with a gift of dark chocolate with almonds, beautiful ladies that come to my bible study, a few minutes to jot down my thanks

January 18: 3 gifts from God’s word-Galatians 2:20, the promise in James 4:8, and Psalm 119:25

January 19: a grace in the kitchen, a grace in the weather, a grace that might never have been-my coffee press I can’t live without, a perfect 75 degrees for the boy’s tennis lessons, my family

January 20: 3 gifts you saw only when you got close up-unconditional love, child’s growth, and my need for grace

January 21: one thing in the sky, one thing from your memory, one things that’s ugly-beautiful-nothing in the sky-it’s perfectly blue and cloudless, where I’ve come from, my tears gathered in a bottle

January 22: one grace wrinkled, one grace smoothed, one grace unfolded-ironing my husband’s shirts, hanging clean and ironed clothes, opening scripture to hear the Word from our pastor

Have you joined the challenge?

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16 Comments

  1. The list continuing in the midst of great struggle is beautiful and shines brightly of his tender mercies, love, and grace. Your pressing on and offering the hard eucharisto is an example to me. :)

    Great List!

  2. What a great book and a great challenge. I liked the one: “Gifts you only saw when you got up close.” What a thought. What am I experiencing right now that I don’t see as a gift - not because of my experience, but because of my perspective? Thanks for your honesty.

  3. I, too, find strength when I count the gifts. It helps me to look at where I am rather than wish for what is no more. Beautiful list! Thank you for sharing : )

  4. Hi Christina,
    Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment! I can already tell a difference in myself from counting my blessings. It’s so easy to focus on the negative and miss the blessings that come in even the smallest packages.

    In Christ,
    Laura

  5. So encouraged by your post!
    “a discipline that forces me to see, even when I sometimes would rather not”
    yes. this is what counting gifts has been for me. What a blessing it has been!
    May you see all He has for you this day ~ Nikki

  6. Thank you so much for your kind words! And thanks for visiting:)

  7. You had me from the scripture. I needed that one today. Thank you.

  8. I love how honest you are in your writing. There is so much freedom in speaking truth. I check you blog almost daily. Your writing encourages me to be me and be okay in all the ups and downs that life brings. This whole counting our graces is life changing!

    Thanks for visiting today too. I sure love to brag and post pics of my kiddos. I can’t get enough of them.

  9. That’s what I love about reading other blogs. Everyone is going through stuff and we’re not alone. So thankful for the Body of Christ that I get to fellowship with even in the blog world:)

  10. I’ll have to check this challenge out. Is it for boys too? :)

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