May 30, 2013: Sky Blue

3 gifts blue:

• the chipper little ceramic bird that sits on my kitchen counter, ever cheerful and bright
• my paycheck, twice monthly and always appreciated
• the springtime sky, beautifully contrasted by fluffy white clouds

May 29, 2013: The Gift of Good News

a gift at 8am, 12pm, and 8 pm:

• the opportunity to sleep in
• good news from a friend
• just enough daylight for my husband to get the lawn mowed

May 28, 2013: Gratitude Accomplished

3 gifts in today's work:

• the opportunity to lend a listening ear
• the satisfaction of several jobs accomplished
• the fun of doing some detective work for my boss

May 27, 2013: Wiggly Joy

3 gifts found in church:

• rainbow families
• wiggly children
• joyful praises

May 26, 2013: Sharing Whispers

a gift worn, white, whispered:

• a warm sweatshirt on a cool evening
• paper plates, making cleanup after meals for 17 so much faster and easier
•  a sister's fears, a burden shared and surrendered

May 25, 2013: Memories Lost

3 gifts hard giving thanks for:

• they who place a low priority on family time
• her increasing memory loss
• prayers not yet answered

May 24, 2013: Growing Hope

a gift found in a plate, pot, package:

• cookies, freshly baked and ready to share
• herbs on my windowsill, still too small to use, but cheery and hopeful as they grow
• leftover sandwiches from a work meeting, perfect for a quick dinner

May 23, 2013: Asking Hard Questions

3 gifts found in community:

• accountability, those willing to ask hard questions
• prayer support, sisters and brothers to the share the burden
• the fellowship of believers, joy and laughter and shared memories

May 22, 2013: Celebrating Laughter

3 gifts that made me laugh:

• Liz Curtis Higgs' Righteous Ruth Rap--the perfect way to wrap up our Bible study  http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0JB191NU
• a sister's group post
• a sweet celebration with friends

 

March 21, 2013: A Little Fresh Perspective

3 gifts found in little people:

• laughter
• fresh perspective
• simple faith

May 20, 2013: The Joy of Knowing

a gift sweet, sour, salty:

• the joy, still lingering, of her baptism
• the vinegar that made tonight's beef stew so tender
• the security of knowing my children are safe tonight, while many in Oklahoma are mourning

March 19, 2013: Growing Up Blessed

3 gifts from my childhood:

• the knowledge that I was loved
• Bible stories at the dinner table
• a neighborhood full of other children to play with

May 18, 2013: Saturday Surprises

3 gifts unexpected:

• a long unhurried conversation
• an old movie on TV
• the satisfaction of work accomplished

May 17, 2013: Bag of Blessings

a gift in a box, a bag, a book:

• takeout salads and time for a quick dinner with my daughter
• loads of paper for recycling, the basement a bit emptier 
• these words from Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table by Shauna Niequist: love isn't something you prove or earn, but something you receive or allow, like a balm, like a benediction. 

May 16, 2013: Overflowing Hope

3 gifts found in His Word:

• Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer in the book of Ruth, a beautiful picture of the ultimate Redeemer
• this reason to study it: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4
• and one of my favorite blessings: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

May 15, 2013: Thirsty for Compassion

3 gifts about me:

• my leadership abilities
• a compassionate heart
• the desire to serve

May 14, 2013: Picking Up Steps

a gift picked up, put away, put back:

• him, adopted of heart, so that he can take yet another step toward his dream
• my Bible study material, another study almost finished--the ending always bittersweet
• cookie sheets, washed and dried after my daughter baked cookies for her dad to take on a fishing trip

May 14, 2013: Forever Love

3 gifts found in my mother:

• forever friendship
• a listening ear
• a sympathetic heart

May 12, 2013: Holding Joy

3 gifts held in hand today:

• a sweet handmade card from my daughter
• words of gratitude in another card from my son
• a sister's hand, her goodbye touch a Sunday ritual of blessing

May 11, 2013: A Heritage of Love

3 gifts about your parents:

• unconditional love
• generosity
• a heritage of faith

May 10, 2013: Measuring Upside Down

a gift outside, inside, upside down:

• the myriad of flowering trees
• a comfortable couch + a good movie = a pleasant evening at home with my husband
• God's measuring stick, where the least are first and the poor, rich

May 9, 2013: In the Dark of Night

3 gifts in the dark:

• rest
  
• quiet
• the Light of the world, who doesn't leave us there
  The people walking in darkness
      have seen a great light;
  on those living in the land of deep darkness
      a light has dawned.  Isaiah 9:1-2

May 8, 2013: Joy That Can't Be Closeted

3 gifts in a closet:

• sandals, waiting for summer days
• clothes, more than plenty to wear
• my purse, and the freedom to go where ever and whenever I please

May 7, 2013: Home, Sweet Home

3 gifts in my home:

• the comfort and security I feel when I come back
• my family, the only thing I REALLY need amongst many possessions
• God there. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:23

May 6, 2013: Trading Hope for Despair

3 gifts in Christ:

• security in chaos. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18
• peace in turmoil. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
• hope in despair. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope. 2 Thessalonians 2:16
  

May 5, 2013: Signs of Springtime

a gift in a sign, a smile, a snack:

• signs of spring EVERYWHERE in the woods on a bike ride this afternoon
• her smile and sweet praise as she sings in the parking lot after church
• a chocolate ice cream after dinner, because ice cream is just more fun in a cone

May 4, 2013: Early Morning Joy

3 gifts before 9am:

• sunshine
• a quiet, peaceful house
• energy from a good's night rest

May 3, 2013: Difficult Exercises

3 gifts found in difficult people:

• a glimpse of myself
• the opportunity to practice keeping a tight rein on my tongue (James 1:26)
• an exercise in patience. A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

May 2, 2013: Flat Gifts, 3-D Joy

 
3 gifts flat:

• my laptop computer
• books, books, books
• folded laundry

May 1, 2013: Come and Be Satisfied

 
3 gifts tasted:

• black rice salad--yum!
• the joy of the Redeemer's invitation to come and eat and be satisfied (Ruth 2:14)
• the sweetness hearts united in prayer

April 30, 2013: A Sacrifice of Praise

a gift given, made, sacrificed:

• time and attention given to hear stories of Gods' grace
• a surprise birthday cake made in celebration of one who gives so much of herself to others
• praise sacrificed to God, the fruit of the lips of two beautiful sisters who openly profess His name (Hebrews 13:15)

April 29, 2013: Joy Grows in the Dirt

 
3 gifts in dirt:

• the fresh green beans we enjoyed for dinner
• bright yellow forsythia bushes, cheerfully declaring spring
• strawberries sliced into my morning yogurt