It's another month with Ann's "One Thousand Gifts"; and I am expecting to find (and share) many more gifts (or blessings) with you in August!
Be sure to check out Gifts Found in April, May, June and July 2015!
August 1st
3 Gifts White
1. The Gift of Unconditional Love: Lying between my legs, a furry black and white "creature" shares an evening of relaxing...
If I've been away a few hours, my cat "rewards" me by lying across the room...with her back to me!
But, with a little coaxing, she's right back beside me...
Just as our Heavenly Father gives us unconditional love; so does my cat!
2. The Gift of Forgiven Sin:
Found on Pinterest
Shared by christinditchfield.com
3. The Gift of our World: We live in a beautiful, colorful world, created by an awesome, wonderful God!
"And I think to myself..." (Louis Armstrong)
Found on Pinterest
Shared by susanbranch.com
August 2nd
3 Gifts Eaten
1. The Gift of Bread: You can do so much with bread: make a sandwich - many types of bread; many types of sandwiches - toast it; "grill" it, as in a grilled cheese; french toast; bread pudding; bread crumbs...
So many uses for bread!
Thank you, God, for our daily bread!
2. The Gift of Eternal Life: I dip a piece of Bread - the Body of Christ - into a Cup - the Blood of Christ;
Tasting the bitter juice that reminds me of the Gift of God's Beloved Som...
So that I (we) may have Eternal Life!
Thank you, God, for Eternal Life!
3. The Gift of Sweets: Who doesn't love sweets?! I know I certainly do!
And, whether it's a fresh-baked cherry pie with vanilla ice cream; a gooey fudge brownie; a slice of key lime pie; or carrot cake - or many other yummy desserts...
It's a true gift for the taste buds!
And, I am thankful for being able to indulge in any of these or other desserts!
August 3rd
A Gift at 10 am, 1 pm, 10 pm
1. {10 am} The Gift of Time: No hurry to the day; no place to "be"; and what I have to "do" is quite flexible...
Reading, writing - finished and published two of my posts: "Gifts Found in July 2015 - Part 4" and "Simple Woman's Daybook"...
Having flexible time allows me to do things on my time frame!
2. {1 pm} The Gift of Re-Connecting: Just watched an episode of "Touched by an Angel"; and it surely was touching! I can't watch more than one episode at a time because I feel so...emotional!
This one was the story of an older woman connecting with her past through her grandson and his wife - hoping to adopt a baby from China...
Where she (the older woman) re-connected with a friend from the mission where she lived with her parents! (Of course, there is much more to learn about this family in the story...and it was very emotional - for me and for the older woman!)
3. {10 pm} The Gift of Laughter: Sharing a funny comic with a friend - because it is soooo us and our pets! Karen's "Monster" and my "Midnight" totally "fit the bill"...
August 4th
3 Gifts Sitting
1. The Gift of God's Word: As I sit in my chair, reading God's Word, I am assured that His steadfast love is with me, always and forever!
2. The Gift of Fellow Bloggers: One of the weekly prompts I follow is the "Simple Woman's Daybook" with Peggy. Listing out a number of "open-ended" prompts like "Outside my Window", "I am Learning", a "Fave Quote", and many more...
Is a great way to share a lot of information with each other. I love to read what other bloggers share on their posts; and spent some time this afternoon reading...
They made me smile and connect with them and their lives!
3. The Gift of Relaxation: Even with a day that has been "not-so-busy", it's nice to be able to relax in the evening...watching TV, coloring, cuddling with the cat! I'm retired - so, I enjoy the relaxation!
August 5th
A Gift Outside, Inside, Upside Down
The Gift of Retirement: I haven't been outside in two days! I have stayed inside, doing laundry, dishes, putting craft stuff away, relaxing in front of the TV, coloring, resting...even napping!
My life as a retired 60-something year old is flexible, restfull...FULL!
And, when I get the opportunity, I stay busy with family or friends.
But, I also enjoy time at home with no real plans - but, I am always open (flexible) for an impromptu outing, turning things upside down!
Today, I am planning to meet a couple of friends at Our Crafting Place to work on my vacation photos (from the 1980's!)...
{As a side note, when I went to Pinterest to find any images for today's "gift", I entered "Inside, Outside, Upside Down" instead of "Outside, Inside..." - and look what I found:
Found on Pinterest
Shared by chrisandamythompson.blogspot.com
And, after writing the above for "Outside, Inside, Upside Down", I came across this and it was so touching, I had to share:
Be sure to click the link and read this awesome story...can you picture the"Outside, Inside, Upside Down" it generated to my mind?!
August 6th
3 Gifts in Water
1. The Gift of Quenched Thirst: On a HOT summer morning, we met our daughter and 2 of her 3 little ones at the park...it must have been nearly 90 degrees or more!!
I packed waters for us; and was sipping on mine when a young mother approached us, asking if there was a water fountain nearby (there wasn't)...we said "no", but I offered her my bottle of water so she could give it to her little one.
2. The Gift Nature: In the middle of the above park, there is a beautiful pond, full of ducks and other "creatures"! They even flew up right beside us on the black iron fence, looking for treats, I'm sure!
3. The Gift of God's Presence: Wherever our path leads us, whether through "deep waters" or curvy roads, or mountains high, or "through the fire", the Lord our God will be with us...through it all!
Found on Pinterest
August 7th
3 Gifts in His Word
1. The gift of God's Help: Today's "Upwords with Max Lucado" talks about using your Bible whenever you need to make a decision - no matter how big or small...
Philippians 2:13 says, "God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases Him."
With the Bible in hand, "You have all you need to face the giant size questions of your life," says Max Lucado...
and with my Bible and my God, I can face whatever decisions I must face; and I won't be alone!
2. The Gift of "Real Rest": One of my friends on Facebook has recently started blogging - again! She published a post today called "From Hiding to Thriving" which has really touched me...and this scripture she shared:
She prefaced the scripture with these words: "Maybe you can relate to a time of being over-whelmed and need to be reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28 - 30", so here it is from The Message:
"Are you tired? Worn out? burned out on (religion)?
COME TO ME!
Get away with Me and you will RECOVER (your life)! I will show you HOW to take a (REAL REST!)
Walk with Me and work with Me! Watch how I do it! Learn the unforced rhythms of grace! I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and You'll learn to live freely and lightly!"
Yes, God! I want - need - that REAL REST!
3. The Gift of Trust:
"The Lord says,
I know what I'm doing
I have it all planned out
Plans to take care of you
Not abandon you
Plans to give you
the future you hope for."
Jeremiah 29:11
Thank you, God! I trust my future that is in Your hands!
And that ends Part 1 of "Gifts Found in August 2015! Join me for the second part...
I love reading about your gifts! Makes me think I should list mine too! Have a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbie! We all receive many gifts every single day; and even if you don't "list" them...I know you receive them and acknowledge them!!
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting!