Driving through town, feeling frazzled, a little pinched by the world over temporary challenges, I forced myself to refocus. Pulling myself out of my bottled up concerns, I looked for my Father’s gifts – and saw . . .
13) Shiny Christmas ornaments hanging from a dogwood tree
14) White latticed window panes in a church
15) beneath the window, I had seen a bush – and suddenly, the red berries in that bush popped and splashed color – as though someone had hit the contrast button on my computer photos.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29: 13).
When I paused, when I refocused, when I looked for blessing over wrestling things that tried to steal my peace – I found blessing He set aside for me, blessing that spilled joy into my days.
16) 5 cupcakes for an after-school treat.
17) A pot of hot coffee and laughter with friends for an hour.
18) The repetition of lining up our business shipping labels on the cutting board, calming, orderly, methodical, productive.
19) Standing at the packing table, sharing a scale with my husband, weighing, waiting, juggling our responsibilities so that we run more smoothly than the machinery.
20) In the midst of a very trying afternoon, I searched for God’s blessing. Life had wrung me out. I kept staring at a tennis court, white benches and black shade cloth hanging from the fence. No hidden blessing in the benches. No hidden blessing in the shade cloth.
Suddenly, a flock of crows soared and dipped to soar again. My eyes latched onto the scene unfolding – and I thought – wow, if God finds joy in those mean old crows – surely He will take care of me in my very struggling day! Then God showed He had a sense of humor – a flock of tiny birds chased after them. Maybe He was showing me that my challenges might seem big, might seem over-powering – but they really weren’t – those challenges could easily be routed, like a crow being chased away by a smaller bird.
21) Completed knitting a pair of baby leggings for a little baby girl fashionably late who will turn me into a grandmother any hour now.
22) Narcissus Paperwhite candles in my bedroom.
23) Sitting at the dinner table on my husband’s birthday, with a Chocolate Celebration Cake topped with a Chocolate Ganache.
24) Sitting at the dinner table with 4 of my 5 sons, a lovely daughter-in-law and talking – about history, politics, current events and a baby.
25) My little guy, his head on my shoulder during a movie.
26) My Christmas Tree Sparkling late tonight on glass snowmen, frosted fruit, Santas, Christmas Balls and ribbons. I finally found a quiet moment to soak in its beauty, its sparkly, silent beauty.
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul” (Psalm 94: 19)
Thank you, Father, for these consolations that cheer my soul. Thank you for the blessings I found that you’d placed in my life for me this week!
Hey Gal! What a wonderful post (your cake made me hungry!) and what an even more beautiful note at the end for Harrison. I know God is seeing our efforts and hearing our pleas for this young man. I wish I had your way with words. You could make “I’m going to the store” sound beautiful! LOL! God Bless,!
PJ
Every word resonated with me. And reminded me that we are taught “In all things give thanks.”
I am thankful, too, for how God stretches paths over our heads. We can watch and wait and learn so much. Thanks for sharing.
It’s amazing how much “blessings” we miss if we don’t learn how to be “still” and take time to pause and truly see the beauty of His gifts in all things. What a nice gift, hand-made for your expected “blessing” of a grandchild! Praying for God’s miraculous healing over Harrison. Happy New Year and may each day bring His richest blessings at your door. God bless.
Came over from Laura Boggess’s.
I’m seriously into crows. Can’t tell you how many times God has used these “mean” birds (but not really) to speak to me.
Your comment on my blogpost has me smiling! No distances hinder encouragement in this world of blogging 🙂
Thank You!
And your comment brought me here 🙂 Loads to read. I’ll stay a while!
Pax!
Basketweave, shmasketweave! Those baby leggings look pretty darn good. I answered your comment on my blog, thinking you struggle with kniting like me. Bah!
P.S. On a more somber note, I will remember that boy in my prayers.
I’m with Megan. I love those noisy critters. This mild winter we’ve been having has been such a treat with the bird watching. Lovely blessings.
You always make me love your posts! LOL And praying the Lord brings healing to Harrison! Blessings to you!
Little things to be thankful for and blessings in abundance! Praying for Harrison!
Beautiful blessings, my friend. Isn’t it wonderful what God will show us when only we open the eyes of our heart? Congratulations on your granddaughter!
What a beautiful prayer for Harrison. I love the story of the crows being chased by the little birds. I can just imagine it.
Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you have a wonderful week.
Cathy
Finding joy requires intentionality, at least that’s what I’m learning. Taking time to pause and see. So many blessings in your list. Hope it won’t be too long before you are a grandmother:)
Am praying for Harrison as I type. I love how you break in during your list…and I love how we are meditating on the same verse!!
Needed this today. Thank you.
Prayers for Harrison.
This is a wonderful exercise in thankfulness! I love my son’s head on my shoulder too.
I really do believe that God sends us messages like that! The little birds chasing the crows was a wonderful gift to you, and I’m glad it helped turn your thinking around. 🙂
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