February 28, 2013: Remember and Trust

3 gifts from the past that help you trust the future:

• my son working at in a career he loves
• my home, our dream house and the perfect place to raise our family
• my job, the ideal fit for my family and life

February 27, 2013: Load Lifted

3 gifts ugly-beautiful:

• the cancellation of Bible study, missing my girls but grateful for a day to accomplish some heavy duty cleaning
• the burden carried, load lifted by a gift of love
• piles of dirty laundry, clean and folded by day's end

February 26, 2013: Lovely Reflections

3 gifts seen as reflections:

• the falling snow mirrored in the dining room windows during dinner--lovely
• shared contemplations with an old friend in a nice long phone chat
• looking back on what God has taught me through my Bible study in the book of James

February 25, 2013: The Joy of a Night Off

A gift worn out, new, made-do:

• an old pan, well ready to retire after baking numerous treats over many years
• two upcoming dates with friends to write on the calendar
• leftovers for dinner: a cleaned-out fridge, a happy husband, and a night off from cooking

February 24, 2013: Morning Gifts

3 gifts before 11 am:

• bright sunshine to top off a beautiful Lord's Day
• the joy of seeing family after a two week absence
• the celebration of communion in church

February 23, 2013: Enchilda Joy

a gift of tin, glass and wood:

• the tin(foil) wrappers around the last of the chocolate candies that I can't leave alone
• a glass wasp trap that is sitting in my kitchen window sill.  I have no wasps, but love the bright colors and the shape.
• the wood booth at my favorite Mexican restaurant where I thoroughly enjoyed enchiladas verdes tonight.

February 22, 2013: Changed by Grace

3 gifts that changed today:

• a new modem after two days without internet
• unexpected grace after a screw-up at work
• a date for lunch with my cousin planned

February 21, 2013: White Start

3 gifts white:

• the pages of my devotional book,  breakfast + the Word = the best way to start the day
• hand lotion to soothe my dry skin
• vanilla yogurt, one of my favorite healthy treats

February 20, 2013: Mealtime Gifts

a gift at breakfast, lunch, dinner:

• sisterhood with the amazing women in my Bible study group
• a surprise visit from my daughter
• uninterrupted time to spend with my husband

February 19, 2013: Gimme a B

3 gifts that were 'Plan B's':

• my daughter's summer plans
• my Bible study
• the delicious arborio rice we enjoyed for dinner

February 18, 2013: Recipe for Joy

3 gifts on paper:

• this Scripture on my desk calendar at work: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.  Romans 15:13
• a well-used recipe for chicken noodle soup, perfect for dinner on a cold day
• this encouragement in my Bible study:  Stay in the Word, Sister.  Knees to the floor, eyes to the skies. Beth Moore, James: Mercy Triumphs

February 17, 2013: Fortune and Fame

3 gifts found in giving/serving:

• riches beyond belief.  Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." Matthew19:21
• overflowing joy. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
• lasting fame. Jesus called them together and said, “...Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."  Mark 10:42-44
  

February 16, 2013: Light in Shadow

3 gifts in shadows:

• the miracle of new life for a family in sorrow
• sitting in the hot tub on a cool afternoon
• a reminder that God is trustworthy in a situation beyond my control

February 15, 2013: Making Memories

a gift in losing, finding, making something:

• losing at a board game, but winning at family time
• finding the perfect jewelery to go with a new dress
• making memories on vacation

February 14, 2013: The Feeling of True Love

3 ways you feel the love of God:

• when my husband reaches for my hand
• the way an ancient Scripture ministers to my soul
• in my own love for my children, because I never realized how much He loves me until I loved them

February 13, 2013: Behind the Oven Door

3 gifts behind doors:

• sunshine, warming my skin and heart
• pizza, made to order 
• friends, bringing wine and laughter

 

February 12, 2013: Praying through the Pain

3 hard eucharisteos:

• the burden to pray for a precious friend who is suffering with her heart-broken child
• the time to minister to my own loved one who is suffering physically
• the waiting for that phone call

February 11, 2013: Labor Day

3 gifts in working:

• the satisfaction of a job completed
• the joy of doing as God does (Genesis 2:2)
• the privilege of serving others

February 10, 2013: Laughing at Grace

3 times I heard laughter today:

• in church this morning as a pastor from India shared stories of God's grace
• sitting around the table after dinner
• while watching Downton Abbey with my mom

February 9, 2013: Singing Grace

3 surprise gifts-unexpected grace!

• a songbird, perched on a light post, singing the Creator's praises
• a sweet, encouraging email from a dear friend
• a late night text from a loved one

February 8, 2013: Broken Toes

a gift broken, fixed, thrifted:

• my freshly polished toes, broken out of winter socks and shoes
• lunch fixed and eaten on the lanai, such a pleasure to enjoy the outdoors
• a new bathing suit, thrifted with a sale and an added coupon
  

February 7, 2013: Packed and Ready

a gift at 11:30, 2:30, 6:30:

• a visit from a friend, adding a bright moment to my day
• bags packed and ready
• good news regarding her job interview

February 6, 2013: Outside the Gift Box

3 gifts found outside:

• a gorgeous sunrise this morning, a pink and orange reminder of the Creator's majesty
• a bright blue sky, contrasted beautifully by snow covered trees
• my community's sledding park, winter central for family fun

February 5, 2013: Hammered Home

a gift stitched, hammered, woven:

• warm gloves stitched for a cold winter day
• this message hammered home in  my morning devotions: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble^.  Therefore we will not fear. Psalm 46:1-2b
• my heart woven with hers, her joy mine at good news today

 

February 4, 2013: Low Down Joy

3 gifts found when bent down:

• joy in service. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. Romans 15:17
• a revived heart. For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15
• God's delight. For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Psalm 149:4

February 3, 2013: Ordained Gifts

3 gifts written:

• the days of my life in God's book. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:15-16
• an email answer, giving me hope and motivation to keep praying
• a hilariously creative web post that made me laugh out loud

February 2, 2013: Joy on Paper

3 gifts on paper:

• a job application, ready to be submitted, a symbol of all her hopes
• a surprise in the mail amongst the junk and bills
• words of encouragement from Psalm 105: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

February 1, 2013: A Berry Red Gift

3 gifts red:

• a little bunch of berries bringing Valentine cheer in my kitchen
• my favorite red cinnamon candies, only available around Valentine's Day
• a glimpse of a bright red cardinal in a snow covered tree