Category: grace

Counting to 1,000 (549-607)

Diana B.2 Comments

David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 —

   “Praise be to you, O LORD,
   God of our father Israel,
   from everlasting to everlasting. 
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all. 
Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name.

Like David, I am praising God’s glorious name today and offering Him thanks as I continue my list of one thousand gifts . Everything in heaven and earth is His, and His grace is sufficient for me.

549. encouragement from Colossians 3:4-6 and 2 Corinthians 12:9

550. his words that remind us to keep praying

551. the hot summer wind and 104 degrees (above zero!) in Minnesota

552. the white peony opening in bloom the day I leave for vacation, and the hope of peonies still blooming when I return

553. piggy braids after bath time

554. how she sleeps upside-down like Pippi Longstocking

555. her sweet, round face resting on the pillow

556. Sonic ice to crunch on a hot afternoon and how he delights in his blazin’ BBQ hamburger

557. Homeschool Presentation Day — and all the love, sweat and tears that go into this fabulous year-end event

558. Iowa corn growing taller and the wind making waves across the amber-colored wheat fields of Kansas

559. bright orange wildflowers along the wayside in Kansas

560. the scissor-tail fly-catcher zipping through the Oklahoma sky

561. the flash of lightning bugs in the darkness

562. cloud-to-cloud lightning and protection from the storm

563. the cowgirl dancer that asks her to boot-scoot, too

564. Braum’s peppermint ice cream with our favorite chocolate cake, served up on glass dishes

565. a celebration of my 36 years and a banner of love-notes posted in the window

566. riding in the car with just my daddy, praying the ice cream doesn’t melt before we get home

567. grandparents who care for the kids for four whole days

568. their sweet farewells as we make a getaway trip to St. Charles

569. riding in the car with just my husband

570. enjoying Mardel and Chick-Fil-A, just the two of us

571. how he loudly proclaims “Candy!” and makes me giggle at the billboards along the interstate

572. finding a lovely place to stay in historic St. Charles

573. the quaint brick streets of St. Charles — lined with gas lamps, flowers, little shops and romantic restaurants

574. eating mint-chip ice cream on the steps of the gazebo

575. biking the Katy Trail together on a lazy afternoon

576. a pleasant dinner at Union Station with a wonderful and beautiful young couple

577. the grandeur of the Grand Hall at Union Station

578. protection through an accidental late-night trip into East St. Louis, IL

579. the Gateway Arch that welcomes us as we cross back into Missouri

580. the cardinal in the trees along the Katy Trail

581. Bandana BBQ’s donut holes — dipped in powdered sugar and tasting just like funnel cake

582. absence that makes our hearts grow fonder

583. little girl hugs and kisses and affection when we reunite — because we love each other

584. cowgirl hats and free pony rides on Patches and Butterscotch

585. the distinct smell of Green Country’s grass in June and how the locusts and crickets make music deep in the trees

586. how my daddy escorts my husband’s grandma up the stairs

587. little girls running wildly up the hill, through the grass, into Grammy’s embrace

588. the lovely gold brooch she gave me that once belonged to my husband’s great-grandmother

589. the Gypsy Mama’s honest, heart-felt words on daughters and beauty

590. how they enjoy listening to Jonathan Park and Adventures in Odessy as the miles add up

591. holding hands with my husband

592. safety throughout a long road trip and the joy of returning to home sweet home

593. the parade of blooming peonies that line the patio, a plethora of petals welcoming us home

594. the blue irises that bloom and remind me of the ones my mama grew

595. peonies, peonies and more peonies

596. the last whiff of the dwarf lilac’s enchanting fragrance

597. little girls just playing, running, being silly-happy on the swings

598. the nutshell pram kit and the dedicated grandpa who dug it, piece by piece, out of the dumpster for us

599. how they all eagerly agree to paint it red and name it “Ruby”

600. the first plump robin to visit the new bird bath

601. my daddy

602. the husband who prays and listens and studies and teaches and works so diligently to lead our family

603. a Sunday nap that quenches like a cool drink of water

604. how they all line up on the dock and eagerly launch the little toy boat

605. her happy dancing on the dock

606. father-daughter projects enjoyed on the water

607. little hands dipping and splashing in the lake water

Counting to 1,000 (vacation flashback)

Diana B.Leave a comment

NOTE: While my list of one thousand gifts continues, this week I am taking a much-needed break from blogging. I’m busy spending time with family and taking pictures, and I will be back next week with additions to my list. In the meantime, please enjoy a little vacation flashback: a re-post of 23 blessings from last summer’s vacation to northern Minnesota. (This was before I read Ann’s book or started my official list counting to 1,000.)

Today I write in celebration of God’s divine goodness toward our family during our Boundary Waters vacation earlier this month.

  1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Psalm 23

Father in heaven, thank You for leading us to this captivating place where I count so many blessings.

1. Fresh, gentle breezes drifting through open windows.

 

2. Daisies showing You love me.

 

3. Raspberries ripening, wild and sweet.

4. Waters parting as canoes glide quietly.

5. Water lilies floating elegantly.

6. A strong man persevering.

7. Hikers exploring new boundaries.

8. Rocks welcoming young climbers.

9. Water falling like stair steps.

10. Little girls wading deep in clear water.

11. Pine trees scenting the air.

12. Wind rustling the leaves, which encourage it to slow down.

13. Hummingbirds darting to and fro while chickadees sing cheerfully.

14. Chipmunks bravely scurrying to play hide-and-seek.

 

15. Friends treasuring time together.

16. A sailboat whisking away in the wind.

17. A dog flying, fetching into the water.

18. Lupines growing tall but fading.

19. The moose evading the camera.

20. Popcorn promising to pile up like winter snow.

 

21. Tired little girls resting in snug bunk beds.

22. Loons crying lonesome in the night.

23. Your Love Lights, aurora borealis, brightening the dark night sky in the wee small hours.

Thank You, Father in heaven, for this peaceful place beside the water, this place where You give me rest and restore my soul. Your goodness and love follows me. My cup overflows.

“Gratitude is the culture of the sinners made saints.” –Ann Voskamp

 

Counting to 1,000 (522-548)

Diana B.Leave a comment

This week as I continue counting up one thousand gifts  from God, I want to share these encouraging words from Lysa TerKeurst’s recent Proverbs 31 Devotional:

Daniel prayed, Thank You God. ‘Three times a day, he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.’ (Daniel 6:10b, NIV)

Since Daniel’s response is so opposite of the way most of us would react, it makes me stop and ponder. Our initial responses are usually a by-product of the rituals we’ve established in our life. Daniel had made it his habit to be thankful.

Therefore, who God is and what God provides was front and center in Daniel’s heart — even in the midst of heartbreak.”

Oh, to be like Daniel. To make it my habit to be thankful.

522. how passionately they sprinkle pepper and salt on their hard-boiled eggs

523. how he helps her whittle the soap with her brand new Swiss Army knife

524. the crowd of forty elementary homeschoolers practicing the Pledge of Allegiance and singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”

525. the playful little girl’s mom who smiles at she chases a beach ball down the sporting goods aisle at Target

526. the wind rushing wild through the tree leaves

527. the sparkle in his eyes and smile as he jokes about eating his mama’s sandwich

528. the sweet and tender little snuggles of a one-month-old

529. how she squeezes my neck tight and tells me she loves me “to Pluto and back a thousand-hundred times”

530. the end-of-school, track-and-field day with wonderful friends, watermelon and a wild water slide

531. the golden brown edges of the marshmallow while it toasts

532. an evening huddled around the backyard fire pit

533. an impromptu lunch with friends

534. the photos that arrive in the mail just in time

535. flowers on the sidewalk

536. glorious clouds that look, she says, like Jesus is coming back

537. more rays of sunshine bursting through the clouds

538. a lovely evening with godly friends who encourage us and uplift our spirits

539. how confidently she serves up a plateful of cinnamon toast

540. her first piano book, all finished now

541. dwarf lilacs scenting the patio

542. little legs that carry her happy through a game of hopscotch

543. moments of happiness and contentment on the swings, enjoying the weather

544. the “girls only” fort they constructed in the woods

545. her delicious chocolate cobbler served up with ice cream on a warm evening

546. God’s faithfulness and loving kindness

547. encouragement from Colossians 3:1-3

548. his words that teach us how to stand up under temptation

(Photos to be added later today.)

Counting to 1,000 (482-521)

Diana B.4 Comments

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

This week I surpass the half-way mark as I am counting up one thousand gifts  from God! Praise Him for His goodness, His love that endures forever, and for the peace that comes in knowing He is always in control — even on days when life doesn’t make sense.

482. pairs of indigo buntings at the feeders

483. flower shopping with little girls in tow

484. a cloudless sky

485. the golden sunset rays that outline the fuzz on a little gosling near the pond

486. vases full of lilacs

487. tiny tea parties

488. the promise of peonies

489. how they encourage the friend with a broken leg

490. gardening gloves that fit just right

491. their teamwork in playing “Heart and Soul” together on the piano

492. the vivid green of spring

493. grandma-made dresses with the ultimate twirly-ness

494. bare feet spinning in happiness as the sun sinks lower

495. a Saturday afternoon patio picnic at the Arboretum

496. the engineer brain that figures out the tricky umbrella at our table

497. a lively stroll through the blooming lilacs as their delightful, heavenly fragrance lingers heavy in the air

498. the azalea’s brilliant orange and pink blossoms

499. the redbud trees that remind me of climbing in my neighbors’ redbud trees as a kid

500. the delicate bleeding hearts

501. how the tiny Lily of the Valley draws her ever closer

502. the happy, hoppy toad on the rocks

503. droplets pearling on the blue shadow alder

504. the vibrant fuchsia petals of the peony

505. how he giggles with them about the “Toothbrush” Song

506. bite-sized cucumber sandwiches sprinkled with dill and devoured by the little snacker

507. homemade raspberry white chocolate scones with clotted cream

508. how happily she rediscovers the little house in the shade

509. the dearly loved piano teacher who stops by for a visit

510. how beautifully she plays her “Medley in Pink”

511. her sweet little voice singing “I Love Snack Time”

512. a whole morning gladdened by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and reading I, Vivaldi together

513. her thrill at eating popcorn and watching Charlotte’s Web, just the two of us

514. refreshing sips of Simply Lemonade

515. the joyous arrival of sweet Kayla Michelle and her very first Sunday at church

516. encouraging reports from missionaries to Thailand

517. the book of Ruth and how it reminds us that God is always in control

518. answered prayers for their protection and for the deadly tornadoes to pass over without harming them

519. pumpkin seeds to crunch at snack time

520. the broad, silvery strokes of pink and blue painting the sunset sky

521. the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to our country

Counting to 1,000 (462-481)

Diana B.Leave a comment

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV)

Giving thanks to God, I’m counting up one thousand gifts  from above. May we give Him thanks forever!

462. how they all three thrill at seeing the first humming-bird at the new feeder

463. the black-capped chickadee, the deep red cardinal and the electric blue indigo bunting at the finch feeder

464. raindrops on lilacs

465. the captivating yet familiar scent of fresh lilac blossoms

466. tulips sprinkled with raindrops

467. tiny bare toes that dance happily across the stage

468. how her face beams as she does the caterpillar/butterfly dance on the big stage

469. her “Tigger tail”

470. how thoughtfully she moves to Dvorak’s music

471. how they giggle about their “not serious” ballet

472. instructors with a contagious passion for the art of dance and students who excel under their direction

473. orange popsicles to savor

474. time to explore the endless possibilities of wooden pattern blocks

475. hairpins and the kind neighbor’s 5 minute lesson on hair buns

476. frilly costumes that make them feel so beautiful

477. medicine for allergies

478. the sweet Granny who introduces them to Rosemaling and the immeasurably wonderful art instructor who inspires us all

479. Sunday evening fellowship with some familiar and some unfamiliar faces

480. protection from the devastating storm nearby

481. a quiet, slow morning with a flexible schedule

Counting to 1,000 (425-461)

Diana B.2 Comments

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

In an effort to overflow with thankfulness, I’m counting up one thousand gifts for which I am ever-so thankful to God. And this week I’m getting ever-so close to half way there! Thanks for joining me in this adventure in gratitude.

425. yellow warblers dashing through the tree tops

426. low, rumbling thunder in the early morning that sends the littlest, pajama-clad daughter dashing beneath the covers

427.  warm, cozy teddy bears to snuggle tight

428. a pair of robins, bobbin’ along together in the backyard

429. raindrops falling gently on young leaves

430. the color green blanketing the landscape

431. bright yellow polka-dotting the carpet of green

432. goldfinches at the feeder constantly — eating 10 meals a day

433. tulips blooming at last

434. fistfuls of dandelion bouquets

435. a hot, humid playdate at the park with sweet friends

436. 1 Peter 4:8 in her beautiful cursive penmanship — such godly wisdom presented to us on our anniversary

437. bicycles, cul-de-sacs and circles of friends

438. red roses — 15 of them — one for each year we’re celebrating

439. a short and quiet walk, hand-in-hand, after dinner

440. how she leaps and skips and grins ear-to-ear

44. four eggs perfectly cracked by young hands — and no trace of the eggshell

442. her homemade buttermilk biscuits with red raspberry jam

443. raindrops pearling on the hostas

444. a sunny yellow umbrella that lets them splash playfully among the puddles

445. a last-minute robin tea party with the neighbor kids

446. the cooing of the mourning doves

447. how his skillful hands work the long piece of douglas fir

448. smiles of old friends visiting church

449. how beautifully she sings “His Eye is on the Sparrow”

450. lessons learned in Joshua and promises faithfully kept by the One who is Faithful and True

451. encouraging reports from Nicaraguan missionaries

452. the bluebird that makes a rare visit

453. swings sailing high, powered by strong little legs

454. the ice cubes and sweet sisterly prayers that comfort her busted fat lip

455. the perky little ears and bouncy leaps of joy as distant ragtime music floats nearer on the breeze

456. happy hops when the ice cream truck finally comes into view

457. Tweety Bird ice cream on a stick, with bubble gum eyes, and a rainbow snow cone

458. her familiar, friendly words printed neatly on a postcard from Philly

459. the summery smell of fresh-cut grass

460. summer drawing ever-closer

461. coconut fudge

Counting to 1,000 (388-424)

Diana B.3 Comments

 “…let there be thankfulness to God.”  Ephesians 5:4 (NLT)

 

 Thank you, dear readers, for joining me as I count up one thousand gifts for which I am most thankful to God. 

388. joyful skipping in the spring weather as the shadows lengthen

389. how my daddy teaches them to march onward

390. 15 years of having and holding the best man I know

391. the busy, familiar hum of my mama’s old teal-blue Singer and four other hands working the fabric

392. wavy golden locks soaking up the sunlight

393. her scrunched-up nose smile

394. rays of golden sunshine tickling the fresh green grass

395. a goose rippling through the still waters

396. muskrats circling near the pond’s surface

397. thoughtful grandparents who love and listen and encourage

398. trees to embrace

399. deer peeking out of the woods

400. heartfelt good-bye hugs

401. bittersweet good-byes and tear-stained cheeks because we love them and we will miss them

402. seven tiny tadpoles adopted and brought home in borrowed jars with lids

403. the verdant weeping willow

404. hunting for duckweed in the pond — to feed our new tadpole friends

405. rubber boots that encourage me to venture farther and deeper and closer

406. the refreshing scent of May’s come-and-go raindrops

407. the cheery whistle of the red-winged blackbird perched a-top a metal post

408. a beaver rippling through the stillness as I travel the lonely path winding by the pond, through the woods, into the meadow

409. the glee chorus of frogs singing loudly as ducks glide smoothly into a watery landing

410. her sweet, warm, so-fresh-from-God feel as my arms cradle Dorothy Joy, just 12 hours old 

411. how quietly she folds her laundry on my bed

412. the not-for-prom, Mother’s-Day corsage that their sweet little voices mistakenly call a “crochet”

413. a pile of Mother’s Day surprises, four chocolate-smudged cheeks, and two rosy little girls in white lace to hold tight and call my own

414. swans gathering again in the silvery waters of evening

415. a picturesque trail nearby, nestled between the trees and the lake

416. strong little legs to pedal far

417. the dandelion picker

418. buds transforming into leaves

419. the bunny’s big, bouncy feet

420. ripples in the lake water

421. the whiteness of birch bark

422. seeds hidden deep in muddy fields of black

423. the less-traveled, winding dirt roads

424. the sun setting and reflecting gloriously, in stunning hues of pink, purple and gold

Counting to 1,000 (362-387)

Diana B.2 Comments

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

362. her whistling conversation with the song birds

363. how she sits in the swing, blowing bubbles and wearing her bike helmet

364. the season’s first picnic on the patio

365. raindrops on window panes

366. little feet tip-toeing in ballet slippers, hair up in bobby pins, learning to dance 

367. chalk tulips and daffodils on the driveway

368. Easter lilies blooming

369. teaching them the history of John Newton’s life and Amazing Grace

370. hearing the MN Teen Challenge Choir sing Amazing Grace and hearing their bold testimonies

371. how sweet she looks in her new costume for the caterpillar dance 

372. holding my daddy’s hand

373. black tie mousse cake from Olive Garden

374. a quiet dinner with my husband

375. Bethany Hamilton’s inspiring story (Soul Surfer)

376. the Flour Tower tour at Mill City Museum and how she already knows about spontanious combustion

377. how she delights in teaching them to sew and how they delight in the buttons they sew

378. all the giggles as they sing along to “Be Like a Duck” and “Silly Lullaby” and “Snuggle Puppy”

379. how she sleeps so soundly with her round little face tucked into the hood of her pink raincoat

380. his “Donald Duck” voice and her endless giggles

381. snow flurries on May Day

382. the sweet little neighbor who delivers a May Day surprise

383. heartfelt bedtime hugs 

384. mud pies with earth worms

385. a Royal Robin Tea Party with hot tea and cucumber sandwiches

386. shooting bubbles in the yard

387. two dates with my husband in one weekend

Counting to 1,000 (317-361)

Diana B.2 Comments

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

317. chickadees in the backyard

318. a cleaner bedroom closet

319. the scent of Easter lilies

320. new shoes and lively lilac polish on my toes

321. eye exams given by a sweet, long-time friend

322. celebrating her accomplishments in Scripture memory

323. their encouraging prayers for me to be bold

324. sunshine

325. apple pie

336. popcorn for lunch on Friday

337. marriage

338. his handwriting

339. giant cookies with lots of icing

340. all his 37 years

341. a juicy baby-pit ham for Easter

342. their delight in hearing hymn stories

343. their voices taking turns as they sing “Up from the Grave He Arose”

344. I Will Carry You by Angie Smith 

345. a quarter moon at daybreak on Easter

346. new clothes for church

347. how He carries me as I tell my testimony

348. the simple joy of blowing bubbles in the backyard

349. their excitement in decorating eggs — especially the watermelon one

350. a short Sunday walk, chasing pink scooters

351. strong daddy arms that carry her back to the van

352. big band-aids for her scrapped up elbow, knee and shin

353. a Sunday evening drive around the lake

354. flowering kalanchoe

355. Gramma’s funny stories about raising chickens

356. his delight in strawberry swirl cheesecake

357. coffee that even a non-coffee drinker gets excited about

358. how she begs to do the resurrection eggs

359. the peace that guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus

360. his kind, encouraging words

361. her taking time to listen and letting me know she needed to hear my story

Show Me Something Glorious

Diana B.Leave a comment

Today is Good Friday. The calendar also says it is Earth Day. 

So shall we cry “Save the Earth!” or will we proclaim “Jesus Saves!” — that’s really the question.

Whom will we worship today? Will we worship the Creator of the universe? Or will we worship the creation?

Don’t misunderstand me. I marvel at God’s creation and feel strongly about being a good steward of it. When I slow down to accept and enjoy what God has created, I learn so much about His character. 

“Show me something glorious and I’ll show you the Maker of it all.”

-“Something Glorious” by Revive

Romans 1 talks about how God’s creation makes plain to all men God’s eternal power and divine nature. Looking all around us, seeing what God has made, we are without excuse for believing in God! He is the One behind it all.

Yet mankind is foolish. We fail to see Him. We fail to glorify God, we fail to give Him thanks, and we exchange “the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” (verse 23) We worship false gods.

Oh, Father, forgive us. Forgive me.

How many times have I exchanged the truth of God for a lie? How often have I worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator? (verse 25) 

In “A Christian Response to Earth Day,” Doug Phillips at VisionForum says:

…man’s problems will never be solved through the elevation of human reason, the power of science, or the interventions of the state. Nor will rescuing the biosphere of planet earth save man or ensure him a future on this planet. You cannot save the earth. But human beings can be saved. And the only hope of salvation is found in Jesus Christ — the Creator! It is this Creator through whom we live and breathe and who by the very power of His word holds the worlds together. He will someday establish a new heaven and a new earth and will bring all of His people into Glory.”

And in “Why God Created the Universe — for Good Friday, Pastor John Piper explains:

The universe was created for the glorification of God’s grace at Calvary.”

With the shedding of Jesus’ blood on Calvary, our sins have been forgiven. As David Crowder sings, there is grace enough for us and the whole human race! Oh, happiness! And oh happy day! He has washed our sins away!

So let’s thank God! Let’s rise up and dance our shoes off!