There is a gratitude challenge floating around Facebook where you tag a friend and for one week they need to post three things for which they are grateful. It’s a lovely idea, similar to Ann VosKamp’s challenge found in her book, One Thousand Gifts.
I was tagged last week, but since we were leaving for vacation and my internet connections were going to be spotty at best, I declined the challenge. However, that hasn’t stopped God from bringing to mind all ways He has blessed me.
I am thankful that my husband is a man who follow’s God and leads His family to follow God – wherever that leads. I am thankful for a church family that loves me, prays for me, and blesses me in ways I never anticipated or imagined. I am thankful for my children, who always make me laugh, who shower me with affection, and who are being used by God to change me.
I am thankful for the list I kept from August 15th 2011 and May 17, 2012, so I would never forget that God has blessed more far more abundantly than I could have ever asked for or imagined. I am thankful for:
1. Love letters 2. Butterfly kisses 3. One more hug 4. Laundry drying on the line 5. FOOD 6. “I love you mom.” 7. Gentle rain 8. Summer nights 9. Large family gatherings 10. Corporate worship 11. Little arms that pull me close 12. Acceptance letters 13. Long weekends 14. Lisping prayers 15. Music 16. The sound of little feet 17. Mature love 18. Best friends 19. God’s Word 20. Morning devotions 21. spontaneous generosity 22. Roadside rest-stops 23. Portable dvd players 24. Godly authors25. Time with parents 26. Opportunities to forgive 27. Squeals of delight 28. Challenging moments 29. “I love you Mom” 30. Lingering cuddles with the hyper child 31. Unexpected visitors 32. Quiet 33. Make believe 34. Bedtime prayers 35. Date night 36. Scheduled prayer 37. Resting children 38. Late night whispers 39. Cleansing tears 40. Renewed friendships 41. The six arms and legs that overflow my laundry basket. 42. A husband who tries. 43. Three hungry mouths piling dishes in the sink. 44. Teachable moments. 45. Eager playmates. 46. God’s perfect strength. 47. Service opportunities 48. GRACE 49. Washing machines and dishwashers50. A man of his word 51. Caffeine 52. Friendly advice 53. Group bible study 54. Accountability55. Girl friends 56. A good cup of tea 57. Fresh corn on the cob 58. Going to bed tired 59. Sore muscles from a hard days work 60. Toothless grins 61. Old Hymns 62. Waking rested 63. A husband studying Scripture 64. Patient teachers 65. Arriving early 66. Old friends 67. Encouraging e-mails 68. Facebook comments 69. Simple fixes 70. Comfy outdoor furniture 71. Being needed 72. A sense of humor when things go awry. 73. Sisters. 74. Siblings praying together 75. Laughter 76. Replaceable parts 77. dinner 78. Contentment 79. Surprises 80. Unexpected help. 81. Believing God is in control. 82. Knowing God can provide. 83. God is bigger than any problem I face. 84. Moments of calm, however fleeting. 85. Deep breaths 86. High work ethics87. Visitors 88. Competency 89. Our medical system 90. Fast service 91. Smiles 92. Answered prayer 93. God’s transforming power 94. That God doesn’t need my help 95. Miracle of changed lives 96. A warm bath 97. Prayer Warriors 98. Freedom to choose 99. For a God bigger than my questions and doubts 100. FOR NOT NEEDING THE ANSWERS 101. Victory 102. Quiet enough to hear God whisper 103. Omnipresence 104. Corrected thinking 105. Father/daughter projects 106. Mornings out 107. Praise music 108. Obedience when it is difficult109. The cross 110. Spontaneous worship 111. Feeling God 112. Personal reflection 113. Fearless love 114. Singing out loud 115. Overcoming 116. Private worship 117. Theologically correct lyrics 118. Time 119. Adult conversation 120. Road trips 121. Hugs 122. Accomplishment 123. Ready on time 124. Going with the flow 125. Afternoons at the beach 126. Cousins 127. Sleepover giggles 128. A cool breeze 129. GPS 130. Tim Hortons 131. Gathering of God’s people 132. Preaching His Word 133. Brothers and sisters in Christ 134. Study of His Word 135. Community prayer 136. Full rain barrels 137. Intercessory prayer 138. Holy interruptions 139. Early bedtime 140. Uninterrupted rest 141. Belief 142. Lazy mornings 143. Quiet time 144. Birthdays 145. Katie turning seven 146. Back payment 147. Familiar routine 148. Finding what was lost 149. Satisfaction 150. Paying it forward 151. Leftovers 152. HOPE 153. Challenges 154. Closure 155. Blog comments 156. Connecting despite great distance 157. Friends that love like family 158. Down time 159. Praying instead of yelling 160. A listening ear 161. Evidence of God at work 162. Unexpected answers 163. Enough time 164. Long distance phone calls 165. Laughter in the tears 166. Playing love songs to God on the piano 167. Friends who pray 168. Unreserved dancing 169. Childlike faith 170. Schedule free 171. Embracing the unknown without fear 172. TRUST 173. Reading together 174. Getting it 175. Feeling useful 176. Creative outlets 177. Hearing my kids ask God for help 178. Successful projects 179. Calm after the storm 180. Surprises 181. Getting along 182. Problem solving 183. Narnia 184. Met expectations 185. Computers 186. Accessibility 187. Health 188. Chicken noodle soup 189. Mother/Daughter conversation 190. Snuggles 191. Enough 192. Warm bread 193. Anticipation 194. Imagination 195. Eloquent and inspiring writing 196. This list 197. New habits 198. Still 199. Apologizing 200. Central air 201. A new day 202. Starting over 203. Opportunity 204. Working it out 205. Childlike excitement 206. Fun plans 207. Possibilities 208. A good cup of tea 209. Sleeping in 210. Three-year-old smiles211. Squeeze hugs 212. The damp breeze after the rain 213. The storm that wasn’t 214. Picking peaches 215. Family outings 216. Canning winter produce 217. Reconnecting 218. Productivity 219. Movie night 220. Birthday parties 221. Daddy holding the puke bucket. 222. Smiles though the tears 223. Contentment 224. Completion 225. Progress 226. Baby steps 227. BBQ with friends 228. Surviving the storm 229. Downgraded hurricanes 230. Long awaited contact 231. Strong shelters 232. Long naps 233. Help 234. Friends that care enough to ask235. Mother/daughter times 236. Counting THIS moment worthy 237. Slowing down 238. Dry diapers 239. Firsts 240. Mail 241. Bartering 242. Flowers 243. Open conversation 244. Girls night out 245. Godly advice 246. Online discussion guides 247. God’s consistency 248. Sunrise 249. Dependability 250. Five happy children 251. Taste buds 252. Feeling better 253. Glimpses of God 254. God providing the ram 255. Unexpected answers 256. Peace in distress 257. Practical offers of help 258. Moving on 259. FAITH 260. Bangers and mash 261. Enough 262. A good book and a warm bath 263. Hard work 264. Acceptance 265. Redemption 266. Being chosen 267. Stability 268. Kevin 269. History 270. Borrowed trucks 271. Gift of groceries 272. Tireless replacement workers 273. Tree ripened peaches 274. Babysitting offers 275. New toilets 276. Leftover tiles 277. Gift cards 278. Choice 279. FREEDOM 280. Tested faith 281. Positive feedback 282. Found moments 283. When all is well 284. Understanding learning styles 285. Watching my son excel 286. Natural consequences 287. Prayer meetings288. Corporate prayer 289. Community 290. Oma’s nubby afghan 291. Soft pillows 292. A good story 293. The Living Word 294. Obedience 295. Sacrifice 296. Seven-year-old prayers 297. Victory 298. Simplicity 299. Voices raised in praise 300. Boldness 301. Soothing drinks on parched throats 302. Bright red strawberry jam 303. Full cupboards 304. Freezers filled to capacity 305. Dinner plans 306. Family meals 307. Out of town guests 308. Vases of flowers309. Chocolate 310. Sibling giggles 311. Happy voices 312. Rested children 313. Wholesome movies 314. Not having to cook dinner 315. Leftovers 316. Fresh air 317. Cooler nights 318. Competent leaders 319. Preaching of the Word 320. Raised hands 321. Dad taking over when mom is sick 322. Healing sleep 323. Lazy days 323. Long snuggles 324. Thomas the Tank Engine325. Anticipating the first day of school 326. Getting ready 327. Gathering supplies 328. Warm soup 329. Crackers 330. Fizzy pop 331. Head cold and sinus medication 332. Girlfriends 333. Sharing God’s goodness 334. Soft pillows 335. Quiet days 336. Family prayer 337. Bedtime 338. Normal days 339. Juice 340. Soft tissues on a raw nose 341. Happiness not dependant on circumstances 342. Bare feet 343. Worship 344. Silence 345. Coming home early 346. Saying yes to God 347. Peace in the chaos 348. Contentment with what is 349. The feeling that comes after hard obedience 350. Conversations over tea 351. Boyish giggles and tickle chases352. Happy noise 353. Curtains puffing outward from a gusty fall day 354. When God grants a want that I know wasn’t necessary 355. Sagging branches pregnant with ripened fruit 356. Thickset grapes dripping off the vine 357. Bulging drops of rain clinging to the rose petal 358. Prodding from God 359. Found documents 360. Dancing praise 361. Answers coming in the midst of thankful prayer 362. Walking under the umbrella 363. Splashing in the puddles 364. Rough waves collide with the shore 365. Park hopping 366. Altered clothes, a perfect fit 367. Closure 368. Seeing the names of all our kids listed as my dependants on the gov’t website 369. The hard won battle 370. Smiling faces exiting school371. Teachers 372. Catching up 373. Lifting a friend in prayer 374. Hearing of others starting a Thanksliving list 375. Bubbling laughter at my children’s antics 376. Five content kids in one small space 377. When the Living Word breathes fresh on me 378. Hearing, “Yummy, broccoli soup!” 379. A sister that asks how she can pray for me 380. Answers that knock me off my feet381. Treats in the freezer 382. Doable repairs 383. 40th celebrations 384. Testimony of God’s greatness 385. Miracle of forgiveness 386. The blood that covers it all 387. Potential 388. A clean house – no matter how short lived 389. Machines that do the work for me 390. An early taste of Fall 391. Long awaited answers 392. Homemade fish and chips 393. Peaceful sleep394. Spontaneous “I love you” 395. Parents 396. Faithfulness 397. TV in bed 398. Borrowed books 399. Dairymilk bars 400. Memories on film 401. Cleaned out garages 402. Purified water403. Purging 404. Great deals 405. Clear blue sky 406. Bright days 407. Shaded areas 408. Adult time 409. Mid-day baths 410. Ample time to get ready 411. Small pleasures 412. Summer salads 413. In season fruit 414. Good hair days 415. Special events 416. Catered meals 417. Good company 418. New trampolines 419. Good babysitters 420. Playing Barbies with Kate421. Oldest and youngest playing together 422. Second opinions 423. Walking the dog 424. Early bedtimes after a tiring school day 425. Happy sleep 426. Wagons that sit three 427. Waving hello across the park 428. Favors for friends 429. Exceptional deals 430. New yummy recipes 431. Baby showers 432. Evangelistic Barbie dolls 433. The gospel according to Kate 434. Ears that hear 435. Good examples 436. Calming breaths, calming moments 437. Good ideas438. Messages on the answering machine 439. 10 second tidy 440. Park play 441. Knowing I have more to give thanks for than to complain about 442. Rhyming books 443. Two on the couch, one under each arm, praying together before bed 444. Guild memberships 445. Met needs 446. Leisure time 447. Reading for fun 448. Good dreams 449. The coverage of the blood of Christ 450. Ministry magazines 451. Downtime 452. Women’s conferences 453. 3 year old boys clutching their favorite toy in their sleep 454. A sleepy voice saying, “Mama” 455. Subscription renewals 456. Free community family events 457. My own bed 458. A tiny body crawling into bed for cuddle 459. Morning devotions with Kate 460. A small boy’s growing independence and confidence 461. That first cup of tea as the sun rises 462. Junior Kindergarteners in the playground 463. Pre-school playdates 464. Finishing well 465. MomSwap466. A sense of humor 467. Order 468. Scheduled time in the Word 469. A nimble mind 470. Forced rest 471. Birthday dinner 472. Speech Therapists 473. Crock pot dinners 474. Hearts for God 475. Sheet music 476. Playing worship songs on the piano while the kids dance 477. Options 478. Cancelled plans 479. Unplanned evenings at home 480. Helpers in the kitchen481. Needing a sweater 482. Thankful daughters 483. Good public schools 484. Full bellies 485. Warm beds 486. Extra comforters 487. Friends 488. Unity 489. Fulfilled prophecy 490. My children 491. The Middletons 492. First piano lesson 493. Painting second hand treasures 494. Parenting classes 495. Small group 496. Brisk evenings 497. Lively discussions 498. A heritage of faith 499. Putting feet to faith 500. Knowing where we’ve come from 501. Saturday mornings502. Tea and crumpets 503. The six feet thundering down the hall 504. Finishing a big job 505. Steaming soup for lunch 506. Saturday afternoons with Kevin 507. Ice cream and parks 508. Hearing the kids scream with laughter together 509. Holiday plans 510. Waffle makers 511. Hand me down clothes 512. Trusting God 513. Starting fresh 514. Watching your child ride a two wheeler for the first time 515. Make believe play 516. Building bird houses and buying bird seed 517. Date night 518. Being read to by your child 519. The classics 520. Productive insomnia521. Having the necessities. 522. Busy boys 523. Picture day 524. Relaxed in God’s arms 525. Reflection 526. Season premiers 527. Seeing daily tasks as acts of service 528. Positive team meetings 529. Unexpected breaks 530. Book Club 531. Deep questions 532. Supporting a friend533. Peace in the frenzy 534. Choosing calm 535. Godly men 536. Birthday plans 537. When fragmented pieces mesh 538. Group projects 539. Team efforts 540. Women of faith 641. Alone time 642. Therapeutic blogs 643. Moving on 644. Knowing my place 645. Small victories 646. Renovation projects 647. A fresh coat of paint 648. Plans 649. Dreams 650. Kijiji finds 651. Healthy relationships 652. Kids in costumes 653. Fun Halloween alternatives 654. Sparkling eyes 655. Advent crafts 656. Mild November days 657. Fresh cut grass 658. A note from my editor 659. Hope for a manuscript 660. A friend’s baby shower 661. One on one time662. Positive feedback 663. Confirmation 664. Long distance friendships 665. Completed projects 666. Happy children 667. Full stomachs 668. Craft club 669. Libraries 670. Prayers written out long hand 671. A husband who prays 672. New habits 673. Squeeze hugs that hurt674. New windows – one at a time 675. Carpet runners and paint 676. Siblings 677. Good report card 678. Christ-like behavior 679. Seeing God’s hand at work 680. Knowing it’s not my project – It’s God’s project 681. Editing 682. Proof readers 683. Pretty things 684. Walking in faith 685. Obeying in the now 686. Not needing to know why 687. Modern medicine 688. Specialists 689. Friends like sisters 690. Sister that’s a friend 691. Dreams 692. Helping hands 693. Positive development 694. Answered prayers 695. Small victories 696. New friendships 697. Re-purposing old things 698. Starting over 699. Team work 700. Family fun 701. Homemade goodies 702. Gifts with meaning 703. Choosing wisely 704. Making it count 705. Stretching beyond our limitations 706. Peace with God 707. Hand me downs 708. Playing piano 709. New hearts 710. Integrity 711. Purity 712. Innocence 713. Honesty, even when it hurts 714. Joy in the presence of God 715. Signs of God’s favor 716. Eyes that see and ears that hear 717. Being neither rich nor poor 718. Wise words 719. Fearless love 720. Wisdom from God 721. Waiting for it 722. Living on a budget 723. Court Dates 724. Anticipating the celebration725. Glass tile 726. How the light reflects off the surface 727. Observation days at school 728. Having a friend over 729. Dinner guests 730. Warm baths 731. Lasagna 732. Bread makers and oven timers 733. School mates and playdates 734. Anticipating where God might use you next 735. Arriving home 736. Dishwashers 737. New DVD players 738. 50608 words 739. Second vehicles 740. Hats and mittens 741. Involved family 742. Team efforts 743. Christmas gatherings744. New traditions 745. Meaningful gifts 746. Proclaiming God’s Word 747. Boldness 748. Bargains 749. Holiday plans 750. The first sweet smile 751. First snowfall 752. A roaring fire 753. Coupons 754. Cookies warm from the oven 755. Homemade bread 756. Hearing my son tell his friend how God is always with us 757. Gifts in a jar 758. Cookie exchanges 759. Gingerbread 760. Seasonal celebrations 761. Gift wrapping 762. Sacrificial love 763. Mornings spent baking 764. Projects coming together 765. Decorating for Christmas 766. Stockings by the mantel 767. Squeals of excitement decorating the tree 768. Playful sounds from the playroom 769. Katie playing simple Christmas songs on the piano 770. Happy kids 771. When passions and giftedness merge 772. Serving with joy 773. Satisfaction with now 774. Renewed passion 775. Confirmed callings 776. Responding properly 777. The birth of my Saviour 778. Those that stand in the gap 779. New baby boys 780. Afternoon tea 781. Sound proof playrooms 782. Executive decisions 783. Routine 784. Health 785. Warm outer wear 786. New computer 787. Sunshine on the coldest days 788. 40th birthday parties 789. Weekends away790. A store standing behind its product 791. Cost saving budget cuts that work 792. Possibilities793. A houseful of happy kids 794. Revelation from God 795. Picking up an old study again796. Believing God for great things 797. Heat 798. Finally getting it 799. Kevin 800. Loud silence 801. A larger entrance way 802. Connecting with others 803. More dinner guests 804. Meeting the neighbours 805. A God who honors his covenants 806. Belief 807. Second helpings 808. Simple prayers 809. A child’s faith 810. Desire for God 811. Little off-key voices812. Beautiful lyrics 813. Thomas’ great big book of engines 814. Confessions of faith 815. Learning to wait 816. Choosing to respond properly despite not feeling it 817. Cleanliness 818. Figuring it out 819. New assignments 820. Kate’s favorite song – Beautiful for Me 821. God’s hugeness 822. Cleaning schedules 823. Fresh paint 824. Learning more 825. Online studies 826. Free bible classes at a college level 827. Connecting 828. Loving like you mean it829. 14 years of marriage 830. Doing what’s right even when it hurts 831. Setting aside my wants for another’s 832. Write! Canada 833. Opportunity 834. Clear answered prayer 835. Learning to wait 836. Being okay with not knowing 837. Godly change 838. Healing 839. New babies 840. Opportunities to serve 841. Grasping my smallness 842. Slowing down 843. Cuddle moments 844. Small arms wrapped around my neck 845. Kisses from little lips 846. Lispy utterings of love 847. Anticipation 848. Help from friends 849. Holidays 850. Momentary escape from daily life 851. Crock pots (plural) 852. New recipes 853. Setting goals 854. A quiet and calm home 855. Home for lunch 856. God’s Word 857. The awakening of God’s Spirit within858. Good books 859. Homemade canned peaches 860. Resolving differences 861. New friends 862. Quality time 863. Quantity time 864. Good food 865. Meals with friends 866. Anniversary celebrations 867. Great babysitters 868. Book club 869. Public library 870. Handmade with love 871. Internet connection 872. Pushing through 873. Listening ears 874. Victory 875. Hymns 876. Potted plants 877. Cut tulips 878. Clusters of Gerber daisies 879. Community living 880. Longing 881. Not getting everything I want 882. Homemade treats 883. Steel cut oats 884. Healthy choices 885. Acceptance 886. Sponsorship 887. Moving on faith888. Recognizing my wealth 889. Freedom 890. Truth 891. Warmer days 892. Anticipating Spring 893. Brothers 894. Praying with the girls 895. A calling 896. Desire to love God more 897. Time 898. Wisdom 899. My children 900. Being resourceful 901. Sunshine 902. Good travellers903. Vacation 904. Beautiful resorts 905. Gorgeous time shares 906. Catch and release fishing907. Sand castle building 908. Daily ice cream treats 909. Pool lounge chairs 910. Strong windshields 911. Vans that start 912. Helpful mechanics 913. Inexpensive family restaurants914. Hot tubs 915. Bonding time 916. Being completely relaxed 917. Nick’s animated face 918. Disney 919. Short lines 920. Giggles and splashing in the pool 921. Ten days of solid sunshine922. Protection 923. WiFi 924. Breakfast included 925. My own bed 926. Routine 927. Regular schedule 928. Dependable income 929. Spring 930. Last year’s grass warming itself in the sunshine 931. A warm breeze 932. Planting a new garden 933. Planting ANOTHER new garden 934. Transplanting plants 935. Perennials 936. Reusing everything 937. Growth 938. Goodbye’s, however painful 939. Text messages 940. Choosing to trust 941. Difficult growth 942. Acceptance 943. Incorrect test results 944. Holding my tongue 945. Progress 946. New front steps 947. Hard workers 948. A loving church family 949. Small group 950. Praying over the phone with a far away friend 951. Inspiration 952. Mother’s Day times three 953. Good tiredness 954. Discovering a new author 955. A hot bath 956. Feeling clean 957. Surprises 958. Eating my fill 959. Leftovers 960. New recipes 961. Giggles 962. Early morning smiles 963. A healthy heart 964. Specialists 965. Wisdom 966. Quality Sunday school teachers 967. Entering into worship with other believers 968. Window shopping and coming home empty-handed 969. Noisy bus trips 970. Happy chatter 971. Pleasant company 972. Discussing this list with others 973. Transplanting more plants 974. Tomato plants 975. Resurrected blueberry plants – yay! 976. Fresh produce 977. Crisp salad 978. Quiet mornings alone 979. Garden dirt under my nails 980. Having my hair washed by someone else 981. Two custom-built in’s 982. God presence in the chaos 983. Parenting class 984. Recognizing my sin 985. New friends 986. Ikea 987. Kijiji 988. Mom’s freezer 989. Trips home 990. Sisters 991. Friends like sisters 992. Projects 993. Feeling accomplished 994. Brothers 995. King sized beds 996. Knock knock jokes 997. Sleepovers 998. Hearing, “Daddy’s home!” 999. Bunk beds 1000. My husband’s unconditional love
I’m thankful this list is not exhaustive! Well maybe it is exhaustive to read, but everyday I live, it gets longer. Thank you, God!