one thousand gifts

so, 4 months ago i began reading a book called one thousand gifts by ann voskamp. i have been a faithful follower of mrs. voskamp's blog for some time and i knew this book was worth my time.

i have taken my time with this read knowing that the Spirit of God is permeating the pages. no, i'm not at all claiming that this book is the inspired Word of God. but i do firmly believe that Christ is in all things and his character overflows into this book.

that said, i have been challenged to list 1,000 gifts as ann did for the premise of her book. this blog will allow me to share with you some of the most precious gifts from God in my life.

let's begin, shall we?


1. sunrises over the ocean.
2. cool breezes on hot summer days.
3. the smell of freshly cut grass.
4. laughter.
5. healing tears.
6. music. in all forms.
7. the written word.
8. forehead kisses.
9. freshly brewed coffee.
10. spring rain.
11. the shade of trees.
12. new books.
13. hot showers.
14. late nights spent thinking and reading.
15. concerts.
16. sunflowers.
17. true frienships.
18. kittens.
19. the smile of a child.
20. lightning dancing across the sky.

trembling hands

as i sit here and stare intently at the blinking cursor i notice my hands are trembling. oh that it were some condition i was diagnosed with as a child. oh that it were the fact that the air conditioning is turned on too high. alas, i tremble from fear. this fear has always consumed my being. it is a fear of rejection and failure. that may seem trivial considering this is only a blog post. for me, putting my heart out there for even one person to see is dangerous and vulnerable.

all i want to be is somebody. someone people admire and trust. someone who is fearless and capable. and even as i type this i am reminded that because of some ripped and jagged pieces of wood, false accusations, a humble servant, and a beautiful disaster thousands of years ago...i am all the things i long to be and so much more.

see, i'm not one to be extremely serious all the time. i'm also not someone who forces religion or anything of the sort down other people's throats. who am i? i'm a child of the most loving and gracious Father. and i've seen firsthand how he can take someone who is sinking deep in their own sin and rescue them from their greatest enemy: them. take one look in the mirror and you're looking at the root of all your 'problems.' by nature, we are the most selfish creatures to walk the planet. and we run down the path to destruction as if the end result was for our good. fortunately, there is someone who cares deeply enough to save us from ourselves. and he deserves all of our worship and adoration. without him, we have nothing.

so, what now? well, i propose that if i surrender my fears to the Lord of Lords...he will lead me into everlasting peace and infinite grace. he'll do the same for you as well.