Thanks that didn't make the list...

Sometimes there are things I want to give thanks for that don't fit into the prompts given in the Joy Dare.

Not just sometimes, most times.

God, He just doesn't fit in a list very well.

Thank You God for-

-a bike ride with the Hubs

- a super encouraging text from a friend when I/we needed it

-an extra, much needed, day off for the Hubs this week and an impromptu get away to the beach

-clam chowder

-company for dinner

-setting the table with my newest dishes

-cooking special treats

-being a shoulder for someone to cry on

-me on week seven of my running program and the Hubs deciding to try it also, he's on week two

-coffee with a friend

-a friend to talk about the Bible with

-She Reads Truth -You Version phone app., Instagram, Twitter, all being used to share God's Word

-an AMAZING morning at church, God taking my burdens

-lunch with friends

-a nap

-a hot cup of decaf while I blog

Now onto the actual Joy Dare prompts…

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I’ve taken the Joy Dare.

I’m counting one thousand thanks in one year.

I hunt for thanksgiving using the prompts Ann gives us each month.

If you are interested in joining in, click the link above or at the bottom of this post.

I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little black journal…

#2120-#2140

3 gifts hanging down-

-fog woven through the trees and low lying hills of the coast

-the cedar tree branches outside my office window

-my hydrangeas heavy with blooms

3 gifts learned-

-you can't outgive God

-pray more, preach, nag, correct less

-eating right and exercising feels better than overindulging (I should say I'm still learning this.)

3 gifts musical-

-my husband's voice as he sings and plays the keyboard

-Don Potter worship playing in the car on the way home from the beach

-singing with my grandbabies, my favorite

3 gifts baked-

-peach blueberry cobbler

-homemade french bread

-baked chicken and homemade croutons for caesar salad

a gift in light-

-sunlight falling across the wood floor

a gift in dark-

-the Hubs and I both falling asleep while watching an old Doris Day movie

a gift in shadow-

-making shadow puppets with my granddaughter, trying to show her she doesn't have to be afraid of shadows

3 gifts of story-

-His Story, the Bible

-my story of His grace

-seeing the story of grace continue in my children and grandchildren

3 gifts understated-

-how the most incredible believers I've ever met have been severely persecuted for the gospel but you'd never know it

-how my oldest daughter isn't flamboyant or super outgoing, but her faith is deep and strong and true

-Ann Voskamp, how her book is changing lives all over the world, yet she remains so humble and sweet

Gratefully yours,

Elizabeth