As most of you know, this past year I read a book entitled, One Thousand Gifts which really impacted my thinking about joy. Although I started a journal of 1000 gifts - things that I love, that I'm thankful for, etc. - I have to admit it was hard to remember my notebook or to have it handy at all times. The habit soon became an old habit. {sigh} BUT, at the beginning of the year (and boy, do I wish I had seen it sooner), Ann Voskamp posted a challenge on her blog that seems manageable, fun, and inevitably joyful :)
I've decided to take the {Joy Dare}, so each day I will be writing down, or taking pictures of, three gifts (in a year I'll have 1000!) What's neat about this Dare is that Ann Voskamp has strategically appointed each day with specific gifts to look for. This is especially helpful if you 1) are pressed for time, or even more so 2) have a harder time opening your eyes to the beauty of God's graces in ALL of life, including the hard things. I pray that this Dare will open my eyes to the smallest of God's gifts to me as I diligently fight for more of the joy found in Him.
If you'd like the full PDF, click here!
So, today is January 12. I'll be
keeping my eyes and heart peeled for:
1) Something above me
2)
Something below me
3)
Something beside me
Who's in with me? Who will take the
Joy Dare and count at least 3 gifts each day? Let me know if you're up for the
challenge! I'd love to share our gifts :)
May this month {and year} be full
of counted -- named -- gifts!
Sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love this, Meredith. Thank you so much for sharing! I guess she will be putting out a new file each month? I saved the page and it's amazing how much it impacts my thinking all day long. I was taking a shower yesterday, looking up at the mildew on the ceiling. Usually it kind of stresses me out because we really need to get vented fans put in there and have the drywall replaced, but have had other more pressing expenses. But when I thought of things above me that I'm thankful for, I got to thinking that I'm just so grateful we have a roof over our heads at all! Just taking the time to be purposefully thankful provides such a huge paradigm shift. =)
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord!! I love that! Later in the month, I think she has us looking for something "ugly-beautiful" or something like. Mildew in the shower (we have it, too!) is definitely ugly-beauty ;) It's ugly, but it reminds us of God's faithfulness in providing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Ashley!