Wednesday, November 2, 2011

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.

Pinned Image
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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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14 comments:

Unknown said...

i'm sorry. i laughed because i just got this in the mail a few months ago, and my mom and i did it. ;) it's really good, non?

Anonymous said...

This is so beautiful, and now i can't wait to read this book. Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you for your comment on my blog. It is so true that just by going out of your way to say one kind thing can make a world of a difference for someone else.

I love your humbleness in life and I love following your blog!

Courtney B said...

I MUST read this!!

Nichole said...

I reallly want to read this now!!!Sounds great!

Marli said...

Ok ok. I'll read it too. ;) Yay for blessing lists and yay for sisters like you! You are the best....AND...DON'T....YOU....FORGET....IT!!!! Love.

Kylee said...

i wish i had time to read right now! That'll go on my list of what to read between school semesters when I'm not just reading school textbooks :)

Anonymous said...

This book is on my wish list on PaperbackSwap and Goodreads but so far...it hasn't been posted. I heard about it from you or your sister, in fact!

Kayla B. said...

Oooh, I'm getting this book out of the library as soon as we go again! It sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing it!

Sonja said...

oh i looove a good book, the kind that calls for re-reading. I think I'll have to check this one out at some point, you described it so beautifully.

kait said...

I've never heard of this book before but it sounds wonderful! I am so glad you shared, it has really lifted me up today :)

his little lady said...

what a great post. i'll definitely have to read this book. never heard of it before! sounds great!
xo TJ

siddathornton said...

this post is absolutely gorgeous, & i may have to come back to your blog & read it every day. i have been so stressed the past couple of days, but when i came & read this, a peace washed over me & i felt grateful as well. i especially loved 'the hum of the dishwasher.' i love how you've written this. i can feel the frantic-ness of wanting to get everything written down before you forget - and that's a feeling i have often. thank you for sharing this - it is lovely.

Dawson Cattle Company said...

i want to read this now. you are a wonderful writer.. i so enjoy reading your blog and learning.

Laura Elizabeth said...

I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to read this book or not but you definitely sold it to me :) I'll have to see if my library has it in stock.