1000 Gifts

I have lots on my heart for the year 2011. For the first time in a long time, I am simply Molly. Not Molly the employee, Molly the volunteer, Molly the this or Molly the that. Yes, I am still wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, but I'm just me. I have been purposefully chasing God, and weeding out distractions. Evaluating everything. Everything from the clothes in my closets to the stuff in my junk drawer to what is on my iPod - to what I watch on TV - what I eat - drink - how I spend my time - and on and on and on. I have dumped all the pieces on the table and am asking God what stays - and what goes.

I'm keeping Jeff and the kids.

The rest is up for debate!

On this journey of SIMPLIFY, I have stumbled upon a book by Ann Von-something or other (sorry, Ann, will get you correctly linked later) called One Thousand Gifts. You may stop now and head to Amazon to buy it. I'll wait. Are you back? Ok, let's continue.

I don't want to spoil the book, but God certainly put it in my path (in multiple places), and one of the things she writes so beautifully about is a challenge/dare a friend suggested to her - to chronicle 1000 gifts in her life.

Now, this may seem strange, or even frivolous, but in the last week, it has been an exercise in experiencing joy in ways I cannot describe. We live in an "oh-poor-me" society - one of spoiled brats, of whom I am the worst offender. We want our way - and faster and easier than ever before. We (ok, I) think that if I pray and love Jesus and try to be a good girl that we will dodge the pain and suffering side of life. What a lie from the pit of hell, but that is another post.

Back to the gifts. When Andrew was born, I had a friend who encouraged me to chronicle 5 things I was thankful for each day after his diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Friend, it was only a few days later that the hand of God was so colored over his life that the burden of fear became lifted and joy took its place. I have taken this new challenge, and started documenting my gifts. It is elementary list scribbled on the white board in my kitchen. It has fascinated my children to see me stop and write these little notes, these little "thank you's."

I have loved God for a long time. I have trusted him for a long time. When life gets difficult (and it does), how much easier it is to fall into the arms of someone who showers you with daily gifts and daily blessings. It makes the hard parts seem part of the beautiful tapestry - woven in - instead of standing out.

Since I may NEVER finish baby books or scrapbooks for my children, this blog may be all they get. I want to tell them how GOOD God is, and that he can be trusted. So, if you see a "1000 Gifts" post, you will know what it is about. I'm going to copy the board tomorrow, so today's list will start with #29.

Dare to join me?

30. 12 birthday candles on an iced cookie
31. Falling into bed and sleeping for 10 hours without waking up
32. Jeff waking us all up in time that we did not have to rush or be irritated about going to church.
33. The kind tram-driver that allows Andrew to sit up front with him - he talks to him like a friend, not a child with special needs, and lets him honk the horn.
34. Sunday school classes that teach our children about Jesus
35. holding hands and praying with my husband
36. sitting with friends that care about us during service
37. a pastor that loves God and preaches his Word
38. an afternoon of just hanging out
39. Brantley planting a kiss smack on my lips as I held him in my arms during worship
40. Jeffrey smiling and being polite to the adults who talked to him today
41. Getting over 1000 pictures scanned and uploaded to my computer
42. Being able to go to the grocery store and afford the food we bought
43. an encouraging email from a friend
44. a massage last night
45. my boys speaking kindly to each other
46. smelly 12 year old boys eating cookies in my garage
47. Andrew hugs
48. working in unity with Jeff to get fun Superbowl food made and kids to bed
49. little boys tucked under covers sleeping peacefully (and healthy)
50. a to-do list for the week that is not long and over-whelming
51. technology that is allowing me to organize and de-clutter all my papers and photos
52. not having to go to bed alone

I would love to know if you start making a list of your gifts! I'm sure Ann would to. Her blog is www.aholyexperience.com

some photos of some of my gifts...