Monday Gratitude...

The days fly by. On some days a list of to-dos checked off makes me feel that my day was productive-not wasted. But, more often than not, life is not a neatly checked off list. People and their needs, the time needed to nurture relationships, don't fit in a neat and tidy list. They are not always convenient. Yet, family, friends, church family, the people in my life, they are the what bobs up to the top of my list of blessings most often. The beauty of nature, the material blessings God gives, all are not enjoyed in their fullness without sharing them with those I love. All relationships take work. In every relationship, there are issues to work through, things to forgive, things to be forgiven for, things that stretch and challenge us. There is a painful dying to self that happens to put the needs of others above my own. I fail at this all too often. But, oh, how thankful I am that I have people in my life that love me in spite of my failures, and most of all, that I have a God Who loves me in spite of my failures as well. 

I am overwhelmed with God's goodness on this Monday morning. Two grand girlies spent the night here last night. There are crayons and scattered papers filled with drawings on my kitchen counter. I hear a little girl humming as she plays. Early this morning, minutes after I I sat down for my first cup of coffee and my morning quiet time for prayer and Bible reading, I heard the pitter patter of my seven year old granddaughter's feet. I sipped coffee and chatted with her instead of getting to spend time talking with Jesus today. I'm pretty sure He understood. 

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Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks, 

piling up gratitude day by day in my journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#11,914-#11,938

4-1-19-

-falling for a funny April fool's joke

-youngest granddaughter's chubby, kissable cheeks

-oldest grandson's kindness to his younger cousins

-family dinner to celebrate two daughter's birthdays and one son-in-law's birthday

-youngest grandson talking so much now

4-2-19-

-bearing one another's burdens in prayer

-a new cup that worked to wean youngest grandson from his bottle

-a simple home repair finally done

4-3-19-

-spring birdsong

-new spring leaves on the trees

-our big, beautiful baby girlie-(youngest granddaughter was 9lbs11oz at birth and is 13lbs10oz at two months)

4-4-19-

-our son-in-law's birthday

-tasty simple suppers 

-mentoring/praying with a young wife and mom

-seeing God at work in those I love

4-5-19-

-a day trip to the beach for our Friday date day

-morning rain that gave way to afternoon clearing

-lunch with a view of the sea and Haystack Rock

4-6-19-

-praying with a friend 

-G's work on our church leadership meeting and dinner

-God working in relationships

4-7-19-

-youngest granddaughter's baby dedication

-powerful worship and message at Hope City

-a wonderful dinner with family and friends at our daughter's, provided by her in-laws

-a sleepover at our house with our two middle granddaughters

still following,