The Best Medicine

She just finished yelling, through tears, at her brother for carrying things around in her purse because it is, "Just for show! It's my shelf decoration!". Barely a minute later, she stuffed the cat into that "show purse" and paraded around with her all squished in there. I pointed out that she was being unfair to her brother by now using the purse herself. Her head hung low. Suddenly, we all noticed how that kitty was so content in her little ten inch square spot, paws sticking out over the edge, tail draped on the other side. We all laughed so hard, Oliver too, and all was forgotten. Grace, mercy and letting things go. When your day is filled with disciplining and lesson-learning, the relief of a little laughter is so, so good.

Gratitude continues:

514. for sunlight bathing my kitchen floor this morning

515. for the forecast of a warm week ahead

516. for a little boy who is found playing drums on my tupperware and grocery items

517. for a five year-old girl who takes schoolwork to the next level every time... looking for how she can apply it in other ways... amazes me

518. for friends who stay after the mess has been made

519. for sisters who are more like friends

520. for the way the Holy Spirit can change an ugly situation in a heartbeat if a humble prayer is offered

521. for cousin sleep-overs that actually help my day run smoothly (thanks, Brooke)

522. for Little House On The Prairie Box Sets (oh the re-run memories)

523. for Kashi almond bars

524. for grace extended from one Christian to another (when judgment is so prevalent)

525. for the hope we have in the promise... train them up and they'll return to the Lord

526. for children who remember to pray a blessing over every shopkeeper and doctor we know as we drive through our town

527. for forgiveness... the only thing that allows us to maintain good relationships from now until the end (what a release!)

528. for beautifully varied Canadian seasons

529. for a dancing family... play some music and we break out into movement :)

530. for children who are pointing out the fruits of the Spirit in each other

Day Four (of 31 Days)

Monday, October 5--Being thankful is a choice that changes one's daily outlook on life. On Mondays, I join the Gratitude Community to share with others and to be held accountable. The body of Christ is so necessary to remain strong in the faith. Being this close to Thanksgiving makes it even more important to rejoice in the little things that are ultimately blessings... blessings that may be ignored by us if we don't look really hard. Read Psalm 100 out loud today and rejoice! If you're not part of the Gratitude Community, take a minute now and then throughout the day to jot down reasons to be thankful, no matter how small. Notice how the frustrations that seem so big, begin to fade with all that thankfulness :)

470. thankful for the way my husband uncovers my feet in the morning (he knows I like it)

471. for crisp, fall days

472. for fresh, clean children on a Sunday morning

473. for our new favourites, J.J. Heller and Andrew Peterson

474. for mums in my planters at the front door

475. for various coloured and shaped pumpkins (God really is creative)

476. for the underground railroad (we're learning about it)

477. for the Women Of Faith conference (can't wait!)

478. for our Mediterranean restaurant in town (one of my favourites)

479. for library visits

480. for neighbour visits

481. for inspiring kids' movies that make my husband and I end up crying (Secrets Of Jonathan Sperry)

482. for our precious kids we sponsor, Sifuniso and Linley (praying for you!)

483. for the hope of good news for our friends' Ethiopian adoption visa going through this week

484. for fantastic books we've so enjoyed from our local thrift store

485. for early bedtime for me (seriously, as I'm typing this, my husband is asking if I want to watch a movie! Is there hope for me? lol!)

486. for answered prayer to a situation that is so vital to our future (praise God!)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

One Thousand Gifts

With much gratitude, I praise God for my beautiful mother, who has always lifted me up when I was down, prayed me through tough times, inspired me to strive to be all that God has purposed for me, and affectionately loved me. May the Lord bless you abundantly, Mom, as you celebrate your birthday. (#445 of thankfulness toward 1000 Gifts... click here to count along with me and many others.)

446. for a Papa who plays

447. for little twin nephews who are lovable and energetic

448. for the fact that these boys were born in the same year as my son

449. for an inspiring, adorable sister and brother-in-law, who teach us what marriage is all about

450. for an impromptu family photo that my husband requested (!) since we were all in our Sunday clothes

451. for a daughter who always sees what can be done and does it (raking here)

452. for a boy who is amused by the simplest of things

453. for fall clothing, especially patterned knee socks and tights

454. for wrestling cousins


455. for a girl who loves her Daddy

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Daddy's Girls And Other Blessed Things

In two different thrift stores, squeezed between bunches of kids' clothing, were these two shirts--perfect for the day that honours fathers. They donned them proudly and chanted in unison, "Read my shirt!", giggling the whole time. And he was proud too. Proud to be a daddy and proud that we all put effort in to show him our love.

And Gratitude keeps me filled with joy on good days like these and days when the good is not so obvious...

382. thankful for fathers: mine, my children's, my husband's, and step-dads too

383. for fun in decorating rooms on a tight budget

384. for my gardens that are filling in beautifully

385. for the first day of summer!

386. for a daughter's interest in and compassion for Haiti

387. for all the offers to swim in pools after I posted here (so not expecting that! :)

388. for paddle boat rides

389. for early morning tea on the porch with the sunlight spilling over me

390. for the bluest skies which beckon us to bask in lakes, to have picnics, swing at the park and lie down in soft grass

391. for Daddy's girls (and boy)

392. for my husband's satisfaction in a job well done (spring busyness is almost past at the nursery!) and the credit he pays to his Lord

"Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labour. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God." Ecclesiastes 2:24