Multitudes - Grace Gifts

My friend Heidi did a Multitude post today and inspired me to post a few things I am thankful for today. I live a life so blessed by God, and it's important to stop and count my blessings. To live a life of gratitude. To see God in the little things as well as the big ones... each is a grace gift from His hand!


Today I am thankful for:


-- 24 years ago today... that God didn't leave a little 8 year old undisturbed at the death of her Sunday School teacher. He saved me from my sins that night and made my life brand new in Christ. 24 years on the way to Heaven! Praise God! :) You can read my story here.

Sybil - my SS teacher is on the far right, beside my mom who has her back to the photographer :)

-- AJ slept all through the night! It was a 5:30 start today, but those solid hours of sleep are amazing. 


-- my hot high-pressured shower (not a special shower - it just has nice water pressure!). This is something I thank God for almost every morning... (I hope that makes up for my moaning and complaining when I'm somewhere else with a wimpy stream of water that barely rinses my hair out!;))

-- my weekly girls' bible study. There are five of us who aim to get together every Monday night to do a bible study. We are currently doing one put together by three ladies - Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. It's on the Life of David - Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed - and seems very timely for the season of life some of us are in right now. 

-- for my husband who's willing to be home as often as he can to look after AJ and get him to bed while I have my evening with girlfriends and study partners. Love him!

-- for my brother passing all his exams last semester (just found out yesterday). He had some crazy courses and profs, so I know he must be super relieved to have them behind him.

-- for our little get-away place in Grand Bend. Now that the weather is nicer, we've been up twice on weekends and enjoy our relaxing escape from the city. Ask us at the end of the summer if we're still enjoying the yard work! ;)

-- that our little guy seems to like the beach as much as I do! Yayyy!!

(That's a happy sound in case you're wondering... hopefully the happy "yell" moves on to something more... happy sounding!:D)


-- for music. always.  I've been listening to a new artist lately, Christy Nockels. Her latest CD is much more mellow (right word?) than I usual go for, but her lyrics have been hitting home. Here's an example:

For Your Splendor

“And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary.  Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12

“I’m so concerned with what I look like from the outside.

Will I blossom into what You hope I’ll be.

Yet You’re so patient just to help me see.

The blooms come from a deeper seed that You planted in me.

Sometimes it’s hard to grow when everybody’s watching.

To have your heart pruned by the one who knows best.

And though I’m bare and cold, I know my season’s coming.

And I’ll spring up in Your endless faithfulness.

With my roots deep in You, I’ll grow the branch that bears the fruit.

And though I’m small, I’ll still be standing in the storm.

‘Cause I am planted by the river by Your streams of living water.

And I’ll grow up strong and beautiful, all for Your splendor, Lord.

So with my arms stretched out, I’m swaying to Your heartbeat.

I’m growing with the sound of Your voice calling.

You’re bringing out the beauty that You have put in me.

For Your joy and for Your glory falling.”

Written by Christy Nockels and Nathan Nockels, Copyright 2012 sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Sweater Weather Music (ASCAP) (Admin. at EMICMGPublishing.com)

And another one:

-- my refreshing smoothie this morning! Tastes like a bright summer day! :)

What are you thankful for?