2. Toasted Marshmallows

    13. Date days with my love

    16. Cotton candy clouds

    20. Friends who “get me” and love me still

    40. Unexpected gifts

This book teaches you to count your blessings--to keep a running list of the gifts God gives you. No, not just when life is easy (because when is that?), but especially when life is tough. Woven throughout the book, Ann Voskamp writes about the losses and the grief she has encountered, and even still knowing God is good in the midst of her pain. Knowing in every trial she can find a reason to give thanks to Him.

    53. Hugs

    65. God’s will

    81. Cards from my boys made by their hands

    96. Candles that smell like pure joy

    110. Bethel class

    117. Prayer

She uses a certain word throughout her book that I have held onto in the moments it’s hard--the not so easy moments to find a reason to be thankful. Eucaristeo.

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them. - Luke 22:19

“In the original language He gave thanks reads eucharisteo, which means thanksgiving. But it also holds its derivative, Greek word chara, meaning joy. Deep joy is only found in the table of thanksgiving. Charis=Grace. Eucharisteo =Thanksgiving. Chara =Joy. Eucharisteo =a Greek word that might make meaning of everything.” Ann Voskamp, 1000 Gifts.

    138. Fun new coffee mugs (Hello, pumpkin)

    150. Teenage boy smiles

    166. Worship by the water

    177. Puppy dog eyes

    184. Time spent with Jesus

    196. Forever friends

    236. Baking smells

There are days where these blessings are hard to find. Where I, in my selfish nature, want to remain mad at someone, or I just don’t want to take the time to notice the gifts. However, did you know if you are looking for God’s will for your life being thankful is part of that?

Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

My list has turned out to be all of the above--I give thanks, I praise God in prayer, which then causes joy in my life and those around me. Joy is contagious, y’all! And you know what I mean if you have ever been around a truly joyful person!

Also, when I thank God for someone on my list, I try to remember to shoot them a text or a call telling them why I am thankful for them!

My list spans from 2011-now (2021). There have been times I have put the list away, or have forgotten to write the blessings down. The habit it has gotten me into is slowing down and trying to notice my surroundings--the gifts in every day.

    244. Studying Your Word with others

    257. Conversations with my college boy

    268. Sweet baby smiles

    285. Rest

    296. Missing my friend (thankful I was blessed to have her)

    314. Happy boy after game (3 catches)

    333. Hushed prayer in desperate moments

Every time I read through this list I am overwhelmed to the point of tears at the gifts He gives me that I don’t deserve, at the beauty He created for us to enjoy, and the love He has lavished on me. Lookin back at #296, that friend? Her name was Samantha, and if you didn’t know her, I’m truly sorry. You definitely missed out on a gem.

I trust if you have accepted Jesus and are baptized you will get to meet her one day in heaven. She had a sign hanging in her kitchen that said “There is always, always, always something to be thankful for”. Guys, trust me-if anyone had a reason to complain or just lay down and not find reasons to be thankful it was her!! She fought cancer for years. She fought it and won, and it came back more than once. She had to shave her hair off, she had several surgeries, she had countless hospital stays, and towards the end she had to give up the thing she loved so much-serving in church and leading a bible club in our schools.

She gave up so much to fight cancer. Eventually she had to prepare for her death. You know what Samantha never gave up doing? Finding reasons to be thankful. Praying for others. If you knew her, you know she never stopped talking about her family, and the love of her Jesus. She always counted her blessings. And so, I count on.

    420. Rainbow in the sky-God’s promise

    514. My momma’s Bible

    631. Morning walk with a friend

    734. Laughter with my love

    849. Pictures, memories

    980. Leaves dancing in the wind

In every stage of my life through these years of counting the gifts, my life hasn’t always been easy. I have lost loved ones, had family issues, watched love ones face deep heartache and illness, watched our country fight over everything, etc. I have tried to keep my heart focused on God through it all. I have tried to find joy by giving thanks and counting the gifts.

    1033. Awesome church service

    1160. Stories from my sis about the girls

    1272. First time driving a 4 wheeler

    1328. Seeing my oldest with his love

    1465. Sun on my face, breeze on my skin

    1573. Praying with someone who is hurting

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a notebook and get started! Warning--some days it will be more difficult than others. Might cause you to slow down. Could cause water to leak from your eyes. Long term use will result in JOY!