My Gifts for Today: A Double Rainbow /and 3 Gifts in Conversation

"I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth...." Genesis 9:13

"The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."  Genesis 9:16

This is the double rainbow we chased all the way to work today:

For those of you who have been following along on my quest to "Count 1000 Gifts" in 2012 (see www.AnnVoskamp.com for details)...you know that I only started this quest in September, and it is unlikely that I will reach 1000 gifts in 2012 at the rate of 3 gifts per day.  Plus the fact that I skipped a couple of days recently just because I got bogged down and couldn't think, let alone write!  But today God made up for my slack and lack of "counting".  He did something really special for me...and not for me alone.  Let me tell you.

Recently my son has been riding to work with me each day...literally riding with me to work...at the same place where I work.  This in itself is a small miracle (maybe even a big miracle), the fact that he has been working where I work, because I work at a church. Not that he is opposed to working in a church...he practically literally grew up in church since his father starting pastoring at his first church when our son was just 6 months old.  So church is not something new or unfamiliar.  But in recent years, it hasn't been a place high on his list to visit, let alone work in.  And the fact that he has been pretty much unemployed over the past year except for odd jobs here and there, makes it even more amazing that he was able to start working at this church. No, he isn't a pastor or in any ministry.  He is helping to renovate the Fellowship Hall...painting, cleaning, restoring equipment...anything they ask him to do that he is able to do. Wait...this IS a ministry...an important one...and I am seeing him blossom each day as he is gaining new confidence with every task completed....and completed well. 

What does this have to do with the rainbows that we chased to work today? And what about the "Three Gifts of Conversation" that I am supposed to write about today?  Well, maybe I can't put this into three distinct conversations...but I can tell you that God has been doing something special in these rides to work and giving us opportunities to have some great conversations.  Oh, a lot of it has been pretty silly and fun...especially as we chased this double rainbow down the road this morning, taking pictures as we traveled  towards it. (I drove, he took pictures). 



And a lot of our conversations have been about the work he is doing, and the pride that he is taking in what he is doing.  And the positive things I see coming out of this...little ways that he is changing and growing.  God is at work here. There is no doubt about it.

Have our conversations been particularly spiritual? No. Not really. And yet, yes, really. Today's rainbow was a symbol of the promise of God in his life being fulfilled...hope being restored. Hope being restored in me as well. Prayers being answered. One day at a time.  One rainbow at a time.  Every day has been a gift.

This particular job is not a permanent position. It will likely be ending in a couple of weeks when the renovation is complete.  But there will be something permanently changed. I can feel it. I can see it.  God is at work.  He sent His rainbow to confirm it.

 The future looks brighter in more ways than one.  It was definitely a double rainbow kind of day!

Thank you, Lord!!

Three Gifts Paired

Still following along with www.AnnVoskamp.com "Counting 1000 Gifts in 2012"...and today's gifts are to be "Three Gifts Paired".  Here goes:

1.  Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup simmering on the stove and Hot Cornbread fresh out of the oven.
It's what's for supper tonight!

2.  Mama Bear and Baby Bear on the Bear Crossing Sign created especially for me by my son today:

This is an early birthday present from my son.  It is in our front yard because
that is what it is...a bear crossing zone! Truly!!

3.  A sweet little Cup and Saucer from "Steubenville China~ Ivory", and a delightful yellow Creamer from "W.S. George Canarytone" "Lido" pattern.  The creamer was given to me as a gift from my dear friend and neighbor Maura, just because she saw that I admired it. (The REAL gift is my friend Maura!) The cup and saucer is a gift to myself as a purchase from our church "yard sale".   I love that both of these items were "Made in the USA",and they are vintage pieces.  The reason I was so attracted to the "Steubenville China" cup and saucer is because that is where my dear late Aunt Marion lived many years ago...and it made me think of her and miss her. 



These are my 3 Gifts Paired for today.  I love this counting gifts idea...it helps me to appreciate so many wonderful items, precious people, and thoughtful ideas surrounding me each day.  Oftentimes we take the ordinary things and even the special people in our lives for granted...and we don't take time to recognize their unique qualities and talents.  I am trying to correct that flaw in my life.  I am also beginning to realize that I have been given so many gifts...and I want to become more of a "giver" than a "taker". 

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."  Luke 6:38

Three Gifts "Drawn"

"Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."  Proverbs 24:3-4

Today's prompt to "Count 1000 Gifts in 2012" is to share three gifts "drawn".  (see www.AnnVoskamp.com for more information).   Here are my three offerings for today...They each have significant memories and thoughts connected with them.  Please read the links attached to each picture to get the full story for each.   (you can click on each picture to enlarge for better viewing)

"Sleigh Ride", a gift drawn by my son during a very difficult time during his life and mine. You can
read more about that here: "Saved from The Abyss"



"The Old Whelchel Estate", Paintings drawn and painted by
my father as a Christmas Gift following our visit to this enchanting place
Read more about that day here: "Remnants of the Past"

"The Cabin", another "gift" drawn by my father.
This special story can be seen here: The Cabin

Here is a replica of "The Cabin", a birdhouse built by my son to honor
his grandfather's special family cabin.

 

 I just realized that all of these 'drawings' are of houses.  Houses are more than just dwellings.  These are places where lives are lived, dreams are dreamed, and memories are made for eternity.  What kind of life, dreams, and memories are YOU creating in your house today? I hope your house is being built with wisdom, and being established by understanding the ones entrusted to your care. I pray that your rooms are being filled with precious and pleasant riches...the kind that last for eternity...

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where

moth and rust destroy

and where thieves break in and steal;

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where

neither moth nor rust destroys

and where thieves do NOT break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

Three Gifts in His Word

Today's "joy-dare"...Count 1000 Gifts in 2012...(see www.AnnVoskamp.com) : 

Three Gifts in His Word:


"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

1. Who forgives all your iniquities
2. Who heals all your diseases
3. Who redeems your life from destruction
4. Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5. Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Psalm 103:2-5



Sorry, I couldn't stop with just three gifts. I could continue on and on and on...but this was a good start, don't you agree?



Oh! To be able to fly like the Eagle!






To have my "youth restored like the eagle!" Wow!
God does that for us!







Eagle photos taken by my sister Doris, near our family home in
Tavares, Florida





"Bless the Lord, all His works,

In all places of His dominion,

Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

Psalm 103:22

Three Gifts Today: "Hard Eucharisteo"...updated

Ephesians 5:20 says: "Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..."

In reading the book  One Thousand Gifts  by Ann Voskamp, I have learned about the word "Eucharisteo".  To put it simply, it means "Grace, Thanksgiving, Joy, ".(page 33)  Primarily it is used to describe how Jesus "gave thanks"...in so many places in Scripture...check it out.  Think about everytime you see a reference to giving thanks in the New Testament, especially as it refers to Christ.  I can't go into the whole study here...you need to read the book!  Giving Thanks in all things...changes one's perspective on life itself. Not just in the good things, but in the difficult things as well.  Today's challenge is to list the hard "Eucharisteo" times of our lives.  The times that are painfully hard to give thanks.  The times that we'd rather escape from our troubles and trials and weep and beat our chests and cry out to God, "WHY?"  "Why me?"  "Why him?" "Why her?" "Why, Why, Why???" 

We've all had those times in our lives.  If you haven't yet, I am sorry to inform you, you will.  No one gets through this life without experiencing sorrow, loss, disappointment, fear, anguish, pain.  So how do we give thanks in ALL Things?  How do we get through the "hard Eucharisteo" moments of our lives?

There is no pat answer.  No easy formula.  No magic potion that takes away the agony and replaces it with ecstasy. 

"The Lord Jesus, on the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood.  This do, as often as you drink it,in remembrance of Me.'"  I Corinthians 11:23-25

Jesus "gave thanks" before He broke the bread and drank the cup with His disciples. He knew He was going to the cross to die for the sins of the world (you and me) in just a very short time.  But He still "gave thanks".  This was an example of a very "hard Eucharisteo". 

My three examples of "hard Eucharisteo": 

1.   My son Matthew diagnosed with cancer at the age of 37.
(Why Lord?  He's married, has a beautiful family, and a full life.)
UPDATE: This precious son fought a hard fight for four years, and finally entered heaven's gates 
on May 25, 2014, at the age of 41, leaving behind a wonderful wife and son, and his parents and brothers and many other loved ones who miss him dearly.

2.  My son Matthew diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 18.
(Why Lord?  He's about to graduate high school, and is planning to go
to Bible College to prepare for the ministry.)



3.  My Son Matthew, being hit by a car at age 18 months

while my husband was preparing for the ministry at Graduate School

(Why, Lord? We gave up all to follow You!)

Yes, giving thanks in ALL things is never easy.  There are many unanswerable questions.

But I can honestly tell you this: Even in all the hard times...the times of uncertainty and doubt...and there have been many, many more...I just picked one child tonight as an example...but I have three sons, each with their own stories that have caused me to have serious moments of "hard Eucharisteo"...times when I found it almost impossible to "give thanks."

But God, in His Mercy and Grace...has carried us through. He has worked His miracles in each of these stories briefly summarized above.  We did "give thanks", and He provided streams in the desert and roads in the wilderness... (Isaiah 43:19)

My friend, if you are experiencing a time of "hard Eucharisteo" in your life today, I can only say to you what I know from my own experience.  Give thanks in all things...trust God.  He will not leave you comfortless.  He may even choose to work a miracle on your behalf.  The miracle sometimes isn't what we expected or hoped for, (but sometimes it is!)  but it is what God wants to do inside of you in the process.  Trust Him. He will not let go of you.

Give Thanks.

"Eucharisteo."

Three Gifts Moving? This is a Tough One!

So, for the "Count 1000 Gifts" prompt today I am supposed to list "Three Gifts Moving".  For a person who has literally moved well over 30 times in my life, I hardly consider "moving" a gift that I'd like to repeat again.  Actually, we moved, hopefully for the last time, this past February.  And this move really was a gift...in so many ways.   For more on the story of this particular move, please follow this link to: "Promises Fulfilled", and I believe that will explain why this move was so special.  To sum it up more completely, This rainbow in the sky just a few days after our move into our new house was a sign to me of God's promise being fulfilled in our new home.  Not just in the physical, material sense, but in a deeper, more spiritual place in our hearts and souls.


Another gift of moving: Laughter of friends and family in our new home...and the gifts that they bring:

This Pink Flamingo Cookie Jar was a "house-warming" gift full of home-made cookies,

a "moving gift" for sure!  It moved us all to laughter and tears at the same time...

Thank you, Lord, for these friends who know how to bring a smile to our faces.

Some of our other "moving gifts" since coming to our new house in the forest have really stirred up some excitement:

These beautiful creatures are our new neighbors, or rather, we are their new neighbors, as they were here first.  Although we do not often have the privilege of seeing them in the daylight, we know they are out there, almost every night, "just passing through".  We don't mess with them, and they don't bother us.  We just make sure to be in before dark, and never take walks alone...



(Another "gift" of moving...from my sister...she knows exactly what's on my mind!)



But we do not fear this place, nor do we allow ourselves to become too attached, because we have another home, a Heavenly Home, not made with hands, that is waiting for us just over yonder.  We, like these bears,

are just passing through. 

Jesus said,

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. "

John 14:1-3

For more information on the "Count 1000 Gifts" project, please go to www.AnnVoskamp.com.  Why don't you join us in this "joy-dare" each day?  There is something life-changing that takes place inside our hearts when we allow ourselves to find God's fingerprints in everything we see and do. 

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.

Counting My Gifts for September 8th

From my devotions this morning:

 "But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."  Psalm 13:5-6

Continued from yesterday (Click here for yesterday's "gifts")...following Ann Voskamp's  (www.AnnVoskamp.com ) "Count 1000 gifts in 2012.

Sept. 8: Counting My 1000 gifts for 2012 ... Today's gifts are supposed to be: "A Gift Made, Masked, Marvelled"  I'm struggling with the masked part.  May have to pass on that and come back to it later.  I could come up with 3 gifts for the "marvelled" portion:






1.  The sounds of 2 of my adult sons' laughter as they work and play together.  I always marvel that they are here, together, and enjoying each other's company. It's a definite answer to prayer.

2.  Ah: Masked and Marvelled:  The check I received in the mail yesterday...was in fact a heaven-sent gift.  It was my portion of my late father's income tax return for 2011...totally unexpected...the source was unknown until my sister reported that she had received one just like it...lots of mixed emotions on this "heavenly" gift. My Daddy and Mama are still giving to me, even after they have left this earth for their home in heaven. Words cannot express how this makes me feel. 

Also...I am reading Ann Voskamp's book that I received as a gift yesterday...and I am marvelling at the depth of emotional impact this book has held for me already...and it has given me a new understanding for the true purpose of this "One Thousand Gifts" project....you must read the book...it will change your perspective on everything around you...

3.   A Gift Made:   (Banana Nut Bread for our Church Bake Sale)



AND: This is a gift still in progress...my #1 son is working on projects around our house now that he has more time...and he has shared his vision for this project with me, and I must say I am marvelling at his thoughts and ideas that are still "masked" from our view, but will be beautiful once it is made.  Here is a picture of the renovation/restoration process as it was begun this morning.  It may be awhile before it is complete...so bear with us and wait for the the big "reveal":



Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings today...

I am marvelling at Your mercies, both seen and unseen, (masked?)

known, and unknown,

past, present and future.

"I will sing to the Lord,

Because He has dealt

bountifully with me."

(Psalm 13:6)



Click on here for Jeff and Shari Easter singing "Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings on Me"

"Counting 1000 Gifts" Continued ~ September 7th, 2012

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:3-4

I know I have quoted these verses before...and I probably will again. They are worth repeating.  Today I am continuing my quest to count three new gifts each day, things for which I am thankful....blessings that are fresh and new and perhaps unexpected.  I am following the writing prompts of Ann Voskamp in her project "Count 1000 Gifts in 2012".  See www.AnnVoskamp.com for more details and how you can become involved.

Today's prompt is to think of "3 Gifts Given".  Perhaps this means that I am supposed to report 3 gifts that I have given.  However, today I have received  3 gifts, and I would rather share that with you.  It's really pretty amazing.

Three Gifts Given:





Today in the mail I received this gift:
"One Thousand Gifts", written by Ann Voskamp.
It is a gift from one of my dear facebook friends...one whom I have never
met personally...but she saw that I was sharing these daily gifts, and she
wanted me to have this book...from the originator of the whole idea of
"Counting 1000 Gifts" in  2012!  I can't wait to start reading it!!!
I did not ask for this gift...it was freely offered and sent....and I am in awe and mystified at the
thoughtfulness and generosity of this precious friend!  I will tell you that she comes from a family of givers, at least
I can tell you her sister has the same kind heart...for she blessed me with a wonderful gift a couple of years ago...again, totally unexpected and without expectation of receiving anything from me.  (Click on this link for more about that story)   I pray that God will give me the opportunity to meet these two sisters one day in person and be able to give them big hugs. I am always amazed when a total stranger (except for our friendship on Facebook) reaches out and blesses another just because... 




My 2nd gift "given" today was another total surprise!  This time from the Federal Government! Now THAT'S a GIFT!  When the Feds send you something totally unexpected...(and I still don't know where it came from or why I received it)...that's a miracle!  When I went to my mailbox today I was blessed with these two gifts:

The book previously mentioned, and a CHECK from the Dept. of Treasury!  Totally unexpected!  WOW!!  I still don't know why I received it...but I'm thankful no matter why!!!
God knew I needed it...and He saw to it that I received it.  Yes, In God We DO Trust!!!



Now, for my Gift's Given #3:

I didn't receive these today, but very recently.  My sweet #1 son is a gifted carpenter.  Now that the weather is cooling down some (and his day job has cut back his hours a little) he has started working in his workshop again.  He has heard me complaining that the doves have taken over my birdfeeder...sometimes there are 6 or 8 doves on there at once, hogging all the birdseed and keeping the smaller birds from being able to land on the feeder to get their share.  It's not that I don't want the doves to eat, I just want them to get back on the ground where they belong!  Doves are supposed to be ground-feeders.  SO, my son is experimenting with a couple of smaller designs of bird feeders, with the idea that hopefully the doves cannot land on them so easily and the other birds will have a chance.  I didn't get a picture of them with the birds on them, but so far the doves are still somehow managing to land and eat...only not quite as many at a time.  UPDATE 9-8-12: GO TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE AN UPDATED PICTURE

So, these are my Three Gifts "Given" for today.  They were given to me totally unexpectedly...and have blessed me in ways I cannot begin to express fully. 

All I can say is:

Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man (woman) who trusts in Him!"

Psalm 34:8

Hey! What's for dinner?