Counting My Gifts- September 9th - 3 Gifts Framed

Today's "gift" prompt for "Counting 1000 Gifts" is Three Gifts Framed.  (See www.AnnVoskamp.com for more information )

 I've been thinking about this...and the first framed gift I cling to is this one:  This photograph of "My Three Sons", taken back when they were all still a part of our home before they dispersed to their own worlds as adults.  This framed picture could easily count for my "three gifts framed", but I don't think that is where I am supposed to stop.



The next framed gift is this one:

This is the "framed gift" that inspired the title of this blog, and you can read more about that here: "Closed Doors, Open Windows", The Beginning    and here: Another Closed Door or An Open Window? Now, about 2 & 3/4 years later and with 266 posts written, I can honestly say that this framed gift is a gift that keeps on giving.  The little seed of inspiration contained within that frame has indeed opened a window into a world that I did not previously know existed.  I have learned much, gained so many new friends, and have enjoyed the fellowship of new sisters and brothers in Christ all over the world as a result, praise and glory be to God!  I hope someday to find the young lady who gave me this gift and share with her what her selfless act has created.

As I look around my home, I could find so many other framed "gifts" to include in this post today.  There is one picture that I do not have an actual copy of  in my home, but it is a picture that tells the whole story of why I am here in the first place:

The title of this picture is "Forgiven", and although I do not

know the full history of this picture,* it appears to be the one

who hammered the nails into Christ's hands...still holding the hammer,

and being held in the arms of the Resurrected Christ---Totally Forgiven.

Postscript*(Link to the Story of the Painting "Forgiven", by Thomas Blackshear

That is where I am today...Totally Forgiven.

I do not deserve to be forgiven for my sins.

I have done nothing to merit this gift.

It has been given freely by the very One I sinned against.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;

It is the GIFT OF GOD,

Not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

These are my three gifts for today.  Wow.  Amazing Grace. How Sweet the sound.