A thousand thank you's

In the last year I have sensed God nudging me to make more room for Him in my life.

One way I am doing this recently is to work some spiritual disciplines into the way I live everyday. I have been praying and God has blessed me with a semester at school that is filled with classes that focus on digging deep into the soil of my soul and planting for growth. I am down on my knees in the dirt, sorting out my wounds, plucking the weeds and yielding as the Gracious Gardener prunes and nurtures.
One way He is teaching me, is the way of Thanks.

I was introduced to this encouraging community of blogs that feature those who are journeying to give thanks. Check out this blog titled a Holy Experience. This is where I decided to join in on "Multitude Mondays"

I am writing down my thank-you's to the LORD. Every Monday, along with others in this blog community, I will post my thank-you's. I will post my top 10 from the week and their numbers.
I am aiming to reach 1000, and will then write about how I have experienced God through the discipline of gratitude.


"Gratitude is a loving and thankful response toward God for his presence with us and within this world." -Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

The day I decided to keep a record of thanks, I found a $2 notebook for '1 subject' that has a peculiar little owl on the front. Owls have been a 'favourite creature' of mine for a while, secretly. I have not often seen owls, but have heard them, especially during my childhood.
About a month ago, before Thanksgiving, I drove home at twilight and a big bird swooped down across the road in front of my car. It landed at the shoulder of the road. I had just enough time to see that it was an owl. It made my heart skip a beat as I glimpsed it. I instantly praised God for this rare sighting.

I thought that my cheap 1 subject notebook with the little owl would suffice. My one subject: Thanks.

So today being the first day I blog this, I will include a sample of twenty thanks of the last month's gratitude (#1-#143)


#3-Hot water.
#15-Warm enough to sit outside.
#22-Quickening of new growth, rebirth.
#29- A slightly lighter heart.
#42-conversation and laughter with new friends at school.
#44- snow.
#53-that You are always with me, even if I struggle to believe.
#55- horses.
#69-a shrinking cold sore.
#82- beautiful new places with morning air and mountain views.
#86- being able to realize when I make a fool of myself.
#107- an older gentleman with teary blazing eyes, encouraging me in my faith.
#116- dog kisses
#117- a dear friend sharing her painful reality.
#118- 6 yrs ago B.R came to know You, Jesus...that special moment and beautiful space when you brought her into the Kingdom.
#129- a memory- to store Your Word in my mind, written on my heart.
#132- wisdom shared by faithful, humble, Word-loving professor.
#134- awareness of my weaknesses and still wounded areas of my inner self.
#139-Love that never fails. Perfect.
#143-sister letting me borrow her new warm wool 'owl' sweater.


God is love.