Multitude Mondays - Week One

Thanksgiving has reminded me of all I have to be truly grateful for. It's unfortunate that on this one day a year we continually give thanks -- something that should happen every day of our lives. I have to admit, I come to the Lord all too often with more prayer requests than thanks for everything he has blessed me with. One of my daily prayers is that I see the hand of Lord in everything, so I can constantly remind Emily (and future children) of God's truths. I am hoping this list will help me be thankful for EVERYTHING he has placed in my life, and as a result, nurture thankful children, as well.

The idea comes from the blog, A Holy Experience. I love what writer Ann Voskamp says about her experience...

"Too often I miss him, oblivious, blind. I don't see all the good things that He is giving me, gracing me with, brushing my life with. True, he is everywhere, always. But maybe, before the Gift List, I thought of Him as further off, not so close. When I started to see all the things that I love bestowed upon me, I started to see Him as near, present, everywhere, showering me with good things. Seeing the things I love all around me gives me eyes to see that I am loved, that He loves me."

Today I start my running list of a thousand gifts and every Monday I will add to it. Would you like to, as well? It's about making our life all about worship and experiencing God's transforming powers.

Here we go...

1. My wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally.

2. The timing of our first great blessing. That I currently have an 18 month old who amazes me everyday.

3. My fluffy puppy who keeps me company when my husband is far away and the babe is in bed.

4. My Bible.

5. All the Word has revealed to me.

6. My alone time with the Lord that I attempt to fit in every morning before our little one wakes up.

7. Hearing the voice of God through others.

8. Trick-or-treating bags carried around as purses that put smiles on little girls' faces.

9. Women that encourage me by their faith in the Lord.

10. Realizing that I am not a horrible mother and that others struggle with the same things I do.

11. Pumpkin spice muffins.

12. Blogs that encourage and inspire.

13. Doing dishes every night and hearing the uncontrollable laughter coming from bath time with Daddy.

14. A new little one constantly moving in the womb.

15. That Emily folds her hands any time she hears the word "pray" or "God"

16. Fake Christmas trees that don't need to be tended to.

17. Christmas trees that are already strung with lights that are perfectly spaced out.

18. Our Christmas decorations that went up the day before Thanksgiving.

19. Setting out our nativity set for the first time.

20. Remembering every time I walk by our nativity how important of an event this was.