the climb to happiness {it's within reach}



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the book is finished and i am tense with the overwhelming. it's the second time i've devoured this piece of work. the beautiful book, One Thousand Gifts.
it keeps drawing me back. i long to call this book my own but i do not. the library owns it and i wait for weeks to grab it off it's shelf to read it.
i long to read this eleven chapter book in one day. but i can't because i must drink it slowly. let it sink down, down, down into my very soul. i must process it slowly, to read this book in a hurry would not do because i am afraid that i would miss something. as i mull over the words, my toes are crushed and i must write. jot down these revelations of grace and thanksgiving that stand out so clearly. if i do not, i feel as if i would forget. and then i would burst for the longing of this knowledge. i feel as if i must copy, or even memorize, the entire book layed before me.
the words call to me, beckon, to live a full life. a life of grace but more of thanksgiving. {thanksgiving precedes the miracle of grace as you'll soon learn.}
the dare is given to write with pen on paper a thousand blessings, gifts, that are daily within in reach. to live with palms upturned, wide open, to grasp each and every thing He gives, good or bad.
but nothing is bad because all things are His, hence all things yours, and it's in His hands. these truths awaken me just as cold water awakens the tired face.
so i grab paper and i write with gusto the gifts He gives in my very own life. the pen speeds faster across paper as i catch on and the eyes open to all gifts He's placed around me.

-feeling of acceptance
-finding the thing you needed for cheap
-driving the familiar backroads
-good hair day
-joy in helping stranger-lady get something down from shelf
-a listening God
-a healing brother
-random acts of kindness

... my pen doesn't want to stop and i have the feeling it never will.

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daily- the list is added to. daily- my eyes are opened more to His gifts surrounding me. daily- the happiness grows higher.
and i can't help myself but to silently verbally give prayer-thanks. everywhere i go, the thanks to God is ringing.

thank you God, for a bustling kitchen full of the people i love.
thank You God, for a warm shower on a chilly night.
thank You God, for crochet projects coming along nicely.
thank You God, for helping me to understand math and getting it done early.
thank You God, for a mom who understands.
thank You God, for the hum of the dishwasher.

thank You, thank You, thank You.

just as the pen won't stop the mouth won't either and i am in love with the beautiful grace-filled world around me. because He has given it. He has placed me here.
i smile. and i pen another gift.

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