Purposefully taking note of the ways in which God is whispering to me “you are loved”.
In so many ways I go through my life forgetting to worship because I am preoccupied with my own agenda. By making a point of listing God’s gifts to me I am finding my heart more often lifting worship to God for His unending blessings.
The idea of listing the gifts God has already given is not my own, it was inspired by Ann Voskamp and her wonderful writing (and photos) at A Holy Experience and her book One Thousand Gifts
Most weeks, around Monday, I write a blog post listing the gifts I have noticed in the last week and with some thoughts on how God is working in my life. To view the original posts click on ‘Eucharisteo’ under the page header, or in the Categories box at the bottom of the page (or just click here).
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”
(Psalm 50:23 ESV)
The gifts I have listed so far:
The list below includes extra items from my notebook which were not included in the original posts. The links on some numbers will take you to the relevant full post, these contain my thoughts which may have given a particular emphasis to my list for that week.
1) God’s grace to me in Christ Jesus.
2) My beautiful, faithful wife.
3) Three wonderful children.
4) Continual provision of enough as our family has grown.
5) The grace that keeps making me grow as a father and husband.
6) Daily chores that leave my mind free to think about God stuff.
7) The ventolin (salbutamol) that helps my little boy to breathe.
8) Words, which express and mold our hearts.
9) Books written by wise people who love God and want to build up His Church.
10) A home that is weatherproof, warm and comfortable.
11) My wife’s love
12) Quietness and headspace.
13) A second-hand dishwasher which does the job just fine.
14) This encouragement to meditate upon Your gifts.
15) The anticipation of small delights ahead of me this day.
16) The ability to choose not to embrace needless consumption.
17) Limits on my income which moderate my selfish spending.
18) A daughter’s delight in hearing the Bible read to her.
19) The gift of sleep to refresh body, mind and soul.
20) My daughter wanting to show me the wood pigeon mask she made at playcentre.
21) Coffee to help me get going in the morning.
22) The drugs which help lift me out of despair.
23) That my ATM card was not declined last time I used it!
24) God reminding me to pray for my kids when I’m tired and can’t be bothered.
25) Giggles from my 18-month-old son playing with Poppa.
26) The persistence of a child in playing her violin and her enjoyment of music.
27) Opportunity to vote for who will govern our city.
28) Increasing awareness of my own weakness and Your grace.
29) Daughter falling asleep still holding her hand out for me to pray for her.
30) Life and beauty budding forth during a spring storm.
31) A cup of tea and conversation with my wife.
32) Beautiful songs that turn my heart again to Jesus when I am weary and filled with worldly concerns.
33) Children laughing together playing outside.
34) For Your reminder when I wipe the tears from a child’s cheeks that You will wipe away all our tears (Revelation 21:4).
35) Water, this sustainer of life which You pour freely from the skies.
36) Our old house remained weatherproof!
37) That time continues ticking by even when waiting is hard.
38) Helpful IT experts who transferred my blog to new servers for me.
39) A warm fire on a cold evening.
40) The unhurried pace of gardening on a sunny day.
41) The sun drenched sofa on our back porch.
42) Hannah asking me to take photos of spiders and bugs.
43) The joy of getting a gift to delight someone I love.
44) Toddler waking up in a happy, contented mood.
45) A struggling friend making it to church.
46) Familiar places.
47) Reminders from Your word of how transient my contentment can be.
48) For giving the strength and ability to be what I need to be.
49) A city greening with spring, and blue skies.
50) Mother and daughter eating ice cream while watching Miss Potter.
51) Kids enjoying rainbow lollipops.
52) Our entire family of five piled onto the couch for a cuddle.
53) A father-in-law who loves his daughter mightily.
54) People who can express things I didn’t understand about myself until I read their words.
55) A new vegetable garden all ready to plant out.
56) A simple dinner with friends and happy children.
57) A career dream come true.
58) Reminders from Your word of how transient my contentment can be (Job 29-30).
59) The cumulative wisdom You give humankind (Isaiah 28:24-29).
60) The delight that lollipops from Dad brought to 3 children.
61) My son seeking out his Dad for cuddles.
62) Worms, that turn waste into life-giving soil again.
63) Fascination of watching a giant meccano set being assembled.
64) The smell of poplar trees.
65) Redemption purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ.
66) A child’s gift on the kitchen window sill.
67) Moments snatched with God.
68) A safe journey to, and return from, our holiday.
69) The baptism of three Shan-Tai believers in Thailand last week.
70) Being home.
71) A reminder from the writings of John Piper that I need to keep my mind fixed upon what is pure in order to have joy in Christ.
72) Reminders that I should exercise.
73) The hope, and the heartache of praying for the Shan people of Burma.
74) Humble workers in my garden (worms).
75) Your patient, constant molding of me.
76) Daily rhythms of life that make me slow down and thank You.
77) Sunshine at the bus stop.
78) Reminders of my childhood fascination with the world You made, before I even knew You.
79) Someone on the other side of the world ‘scratching in the dark‘ to remind me that it is necessary and possible to seek You daily amidst the chaos of ordinary parenting.
80) Seeing my 20-month-old son running to me soon after we began a frantic search for him.
81) The irrational fickleness of children’s behavior reminding me of my own erratic walk with You.
82) Work that engages my heart and mind.
83) Rest from striving to be what I am not.
84) Birthday cards lovingly made for me by my children.
85) That You don’t rush in communicating with me.
86) Security and comfort You continue to give me.
87) Having a spare ethernet cable to replace the broken one.
88) That there is beauty in cyberspace.
89) Delicious jam for breakfast.
90) Helping me to not buy lunch today.
91) Enabling/reminding me to pray for all three of the kids tonight.
92) Being able to get flowers for my wife on the way home.
93) Sun shining on the back hedge this morning.
94) Hearing sheep and birdsong from my back porch.
Otago Harbour
95) So very many times that I have been able to thank You for bringing a child safely through another day.
96) Showing me one small way in which I could serve my wife.
97) The wonder of Mark chapter 3, that the Son of God incarnate was recognized by demons but not by men.
98) Finally getting the motivation to walk home from work.
99) Wholesome alternatives to Halloween for the kids
100) The fresh smell of a new spring morning.
101) First-hand experience of how hard my wife works every day.
102) Your comfort even while my emotions plummet.
103) An excellent vantage point to take a photo from.
104) Ventolin working for a little boy with asthma.
105) Sick leave.
106) Falling asleep on the sofa on our sunny back porch.
107) Eating an ice-cream while walking home from work.
108) Preserving me.
109) Watching a daughter constructing with Lego.
110) Paracetamol.
111) A church fellowship of broken people who appreciate broken sermons.
112) Grandparents helping a stressed son-in-law.
113) A good cup of tea at the end of a day of too much coffee.
114) A phone call reassuring me that her trip went fine and they are on their way home.
115) Catching up by candlelight.
116) Wanting to lose weight, even though I don’t have the energy or time to exercise more.
117) Waking up despite my alarm clock being turned off.
118) Being more conscious about what I am eating.
119) Headspace to recharge while walking home.
120) Encouragement to be an upside-down blogger.
121) A glorious calm spring morning.
122) Children giggling in their Mum’s bed.
123) Grace keeping me from getting angry about being caught in a downpour.
124) Lying on my back watching clouds.
125) 22-month-old dancing to Slice of Heaven by Dave Dobbyn and Herbs.
126) 2 hours of fun from a cardboard box.
127) An evening walk.
128) That in Christ greatness is attainable by all (Matthew 23:11-12).
129) Little trees growing on a burnt-over, windswept hill.
130) Free pine cones.
131) Dinner cooked on our own barbeque.
132) Peaceful sound of rain on the tin roof late at night.
133) A quiet house for my troubled soul.
134) Turning off the computer.
135) Writing with pen and paper rather than keyboard and LCD.
136) Lessons learned from a job I hated.
137) That fools display their true nature to all (Ecclesiastes 10:3).
138) The righteousness of Jesus overwhelming my rebelliousness.
139) Not sleeping in!
140) Having time to shave this morning.
141) Being paid to learn fascinating things.
142) That hunger/appetite can be my slave or my master.
143) Being both too cold and too hot on the same day in the same town.
144) A still and quiet heart from a walk on a still and quiet evening (Isaiah 30:15).
145) The means to dispatch large spiders without getting too close! (i.e., flyspray).
146) My 17 year-old watch that still goes great.
147) My Mother-in-law making my favourite cake.
148) Contemplating God while washing dishes late at night.
149) Being mesmerized by the patterns of light summer rain falling silently on a pond.
150) Gentle ‘plopping’ sounds as the rain gets heavier.
151) Dragonflies hovering.
152) A dog eager for me to throw a pine cone into the pond for him to chase.
153) School camp.
154) A washing machine.
155) warm, sunny days to get washing dry.
156) Memories of my own childhood adventures.
157) A swim for two dogs who are hot and panting.
158) A gentle, cooling breeze (see Jonah 4:8).
159) Warm sunny days helping to burn away the fog.
160) Clean water to drink.
161) A dog who is expert at finding lost tennis balls to play with.
162) Hope in Christ deeper than any circumstance or emotion.
163) A new road layout, no more walking alongside trucks.
164) The simple, brain-clearing rhythm of walking.
Poured out
Dear Heather, thank you for:
165) Your peaceful presence.
166) Vegetable gardens planted, tended and weeded.
167) Laundry washed, dried and folded.
168) Asking so little when you feel so empty.
169) Clean floors.
170) Your patience and compassion towards the child who torments you (they all take turns!).
171) Meals prepared every day, without fail.
172) Our budget finely balanced.
173) Enduring the endless combing for lice in daughters’ hair
174) A clean bathroom.
175) A warm home.
176) Children taken to appointments with dentists, doctors, dietitians, dermatologists, paediatricians, asthma nurses, violin teachers and many others.
177) Learning an entirely new way of baking for our gluten-free girl.
178) Endless picking up of toys.
179) Dog walking.
180) Squabbles mediated.
181) Great conversations over cups of tea.
182) Courage to confront me when I need it.
183) Grace to let me figure out that I’m wrong and need help.
184) Being my BEST friend EVER.
Foxglove
185) Briny wind reminding me of a trip to be with God.
186) The summery smell of lupins.
187) Our kind neighbour who fixed my broken gate latch.
188) A joy-filled wedding.
189) Being able to just quietly go about life.
190) Our Christmas baby of almost 9 years playing ‘Silent Night’ on the violin for our church
191) Finally knowing what I don’t want to be like when I grow up.
192) A good cup of tea.
193) That the desire to praise God and speak of His glory can even overcome my fear of what others might think (sometimes).
194) Kids loving Ann Voskamp’s ‘God stories’ before bed.
195) The story of the Fall, which makes sense out of my sinful nature.
196) An old dog frolicking like a puppy after some affection from her master.
197) A bit of physical labour to harvest the bounty of the earth.
198)Finding good books at a good price.
199) Missing the ‘evening routine’ because I’m working afternoon shifts.
200) Children playing outside on a warm summer morning.
201) Warm, fresh, outdoor air kissing my skin.
202) Making it to the bus stop in time (just!).
203) My faithful wife and counselor.
204) Psalm 41 meeting my hurt.
205) Being home.
206) Rebukes (Proverbs 27:5).
207) Being reminded to take my medicine.
208) Knowing that a feast awaits me (Matthew 4:2-4)
209) An enormous God-made sandpit for the kids to play in.
210) Being able to hitch a ride when I didn’t make it to the bus stop in time.
211) Making some (slight) progress on the list of odd-jobs to do.
212) Change that makes me appreciate what is essential.
213) A broken internet connection making me go to bed at a reasonable hour.
214) My 5-year-old holding her arms out for a cuddle at the sound of my voice even though she is asleep.
The Vision of Isaiah by Luke Allsbrook
215) A quiet house.
216) That our goal is perfection in Christ, not simply being better than others.
217) The pleasure of lying down and closing sleepy eyes.
218) A comfy bed.
219) The security of being able to sleep without fear.
220) A satisfied stomach.
221) Being wakeful enough to function.
222) The enjoyment of watching my little boy and dog playing with a ball together distracting me completely from what I was doing.
223) Appreciation for my hardworking neighbour as I hear him mowing his lawns.
224) Daughters missing home while on holiday at Grandma’s.
225) Another dawn in our beautiful city.
226) Tiredness reminding me of early days with new babies.
227) Being outside in bright sunshine.
228) Happy children.
229) Getting a scrubcutter to attack the jungle in our back yard.
230) My wheezy, asthmatic son snoring beside me in bed.
231) A daughter wrestling with the meaning of the fall and Romans 7:7-25.
232) The ESV Online Study Bible.
233) A strenuous walk after sitting and sleeping.
234) Literal windfalls for my gleaning.
235) Crickets chirping.
236) Laughter (Proverbs 17:22).
237) The whole book of Revelation.
238) My eldest daughter asking so many questions about God, the Trinity, how the Holy Spirit helps us, and what limits have been placed upon Satan.
239) Encouragement to continue counting gifts.
240) Grandma and Poppa reading bedtime stories.
241) Rain interrupting my outside work, forcing me to tidy away tools and newly cut firewood before the real deluge began.
242) Putting my agenda aside and going to bed because I am tired and need a proper sleep more than I need to cross one more item off my ‘To-do’ list. The grace to not have to try to be everything.
243) Laughing out loud at a funny movie.
244) Ephesians 5:13-14 (see why here).
245) Folding washing with my wife and best friend, chatting about children, long days, tiredness, and planning a break for us all.
246) Mild spontaneous extravagance for Valentine’s Day.
247) Work colleagues who share the load.
248) My Friday on our Tuesday, which could even be your Monday. (Yeah, I get confused too!)
249) Two-year-old son walking into the house wearing a toy bucket as a helmet.
250) Rediscovering the joy of playing the flute.
251) Problems which cause me to consider what I believe and why.
252) Physical labour on a sunny day (Ecclesiastes 3:13).
253) A shed slowly filling up with cut firewood and pine cones.
254) Neighbours who at least have good taste in what music they play loudly.
255) A lovely paediatrician who genuinely likes children.
256) Gentle reminder from a friend, that I need to encourage a brother.
257) Figuring out that the computer can do a tedious task for me.
258) Love, which causes me to want to make her a cup of tea and give her the nicest cheese roll.
259) The depth of Scripture (Mark 12:24).
260) Cold tea because I fell asleep in the sun before drinking it.
261) The Third Strand in our marriage (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Christchurch from the Port Hills, seconds after the quake.
262) A bowl of wild blackberries to eat, even if they are a weed!
263) A young person standing up to let me have a seat on the bus (but does this mean I am now viewed by the young people as an old codger?)
264) The fascinating strangeness of a stick insect I saw on the footpath.
265) So many expressing compassion by words and actions
266) Freedom to be a Christian openly
267) My nine year old asking questions about the realities of faith that I didn’t get to until I was nineteen.
268) Being corrected.
269) Time, even though I use it so poorly.
270) Two-year-old laughing to himself, then discovering why… he had found a stash of lollies!
271) Air, breath, life (Genesis 2:7).
272) Grandma and Poppa safely home after a big trip.
273) Slowing down to walk at a two-year-old’s pace around my own neighbourhood.
274) Untangling ourselves from a bush lawyer.
275) The huge sacrifices, of life even, so that we can have the words of life in our own language.
276) The smell of freshly cut pine.
277) An electric saw to make the wood cutting easy.
278) An old sun-room’s worth of firewood.
279) Cool, clean water to drink.
280) That the jar of aioli I dropped landed on a wooden trolley rather than smashing on the tile floor.
281) Surprising everyone with pancakes for breakfast.
282) My kids super-excited at the prospect of living in a city made of gold! (Revelation 21:18-21)
282) The kids sleeping the night in a tent, in their bedroom!
283) A seat to rest on during a long wait for the next bus.
284) Confidence that the bus will arrive as a shadow of my confidence that Christ will return one day.
285) This noticing of His blessings, calming an irritated heart.
286) Eating a lolly, sweetness, reminding me of when it was absent. Causing me to wonder how much comfort and pleasure sweeten what would otherwise be seen as obviously toxic to my soul. Is this why suffering is necessary?
287) Unloading the irritations of my day to my best friend over a cup of tea.
288) Being geographically isolated and not having nuclear power plants in our country.
289) Putting my children to bed, giving them each a kiss, hugs, a prayer and words of love.
290) The opportunity and motivation to learn how life is for those whose voice is suppressed.
291) My heart being broken by the suffering of people in a land far away whom I have never met.
292) God’s Spirit so clearly working in someone I used to think was a bit odd and have grown to deeply care about.
293) Friends who I have not seen for 10 years coming to visit.
294) Good food and good conversation over Sunday lunch.
295) A great cup of tea made for me by my wife.
296) The mysterious influence of a full moon.
297) Safety of the Red Cross hospital in Benghazi.
298) Struggling to remember the words of Colossians 1:23
299) Anticipation of a holiday this coming weekend.
300) My heart peaceful and quiet, seeking to know Jesus.
301) Two-year-old playing at washing dishes in the kitchen sink.
302) Pre-warmed socks.
303) Precious baby giggles playing peek-a-boo.
304) Taste of a fresh apple reminding me of childhood orchards.
305) A weekend away in a beautiful place.
306) Our accommodation being upgraded for no extra charge.
307) Fine weather despite a rainy forecast.
308) Seeing my kids playing on a jungle gym the same as I played on when their ages.
309) An evening with no computer.
310) Feeling so much better after only one night away.
311) Being nudged towards at least considering a big decision that I don’t want to make.
Boundary stone at Mitchell's Cottage, Central Otago
312)My daughter writing a blog now too.
313) Sincere words of love.
314) Hard questions about faith which drive me to prayer.
315) God’s patience in waiting five years for me to appreciate the friend He has placed me alongside.
316) Blissful sleep for a tired soul.
317) No waiting list to get a sick child seen by a doctor on Sunday evening.
318) Smelling chicken roasting.
319) Kid’s rooms swapped around in one afternoon.
320) Hysterical 2-year-old’s sister (5) engaging him and calming him down more effectively than either of his parents were able to.
321) Realizing how little I know of prayer.
322) Waking up from sleep having dreamed of visiting a Shan village in Burma.
323) A calm, sunny autumn afternoon at Long Beach.
324) Cuddles from my wife as her stress eases.
325) A diagnosis for a child, even though I don’t like it.
326) Bellbirds and Tuis singing in our street.
327) Warm woollen slippers as winter cold begins to creep in.
328 to 334) mentioned here.
341) Honest words telling of a spouse who disdains your worship. I cannot change your situation, but I am praying for you.
342) Your endless sleep deprivation. I am praying and trying to help where I can.
343) Your heartbreak and fears for the future in the disarray caused by an unfaithful husband. I am angry too, I don’t know what to pray even, but keep asking God to comfort you.
344) Shortened work hours, rising living costs and healthcare bills causing anxiety. Praying for you both.
345) Unending headaches and stress. I cannot see why you must endure this but Jesus is walking with you and I’m asking Him to give you comfort in your endurance.
346) Depression casting shadows across your soul. Asking our Father to be your light, comfort and hope.
347) Past abuse that has generated hardships beyond my knowing. I see you as you are today and there is grace at work. Praying for continuing grace, comfort and peace.
Ronald Maurice Hellyer, 18848 NZEF
348) The Son of God who died for us.
349) The generation of men who fought for us.
350) Childhood memories.
351) A nation remembering.
352) Two rememberings on one weekend.
353) My own brother (the first time I saw the photo of Grandad above, I was puzzled as to why my younger brother was in a military uniform – it looks so much like him!)
354) At work listening to Elibris
355) Peace with God.
356) The Comforter steadying my wavering heart.
357) Beautiful music.
358) Daybreak, His mercies renewed each day (one ‘day’ this will not happen – it will not be needed anymore, what will that be like?)
Peter's denial
359) Ten years married and very much in love.
360) passing the last of my training tests.
361) A normal nights’ sleep, during hours of darkness.
362) Little hands exploring my face at 5:30 am.
363) Up early to read my Bible.
364) Irises flowering on a sunny morning when I feel tired and full of a cold.
365) Grandeur and pageantry of the royal wedding as a foretaste of the glorious wedding to come (Revelation 19:7).
366) An Easter parcel all the way from Switzerland.
367) Scrunching through autumn leaves.
368) The smell of fresh flowers as I write.
369) Walking my youngest daughter to school.
371) Finishing off posts I began writing months ago.
372) Holding the hand of a child when she slipped, preventing her getting hurt – just as my Father holds me.
373) Unwrapping the last Easter egg, anticipation, wanting sweetness, needing life.
374) Rain on the tin roof.
375) Relaxing under the shower of Your Word as it washes over me.
376) A wife who can read me better than I can see the signs myself.
377) A helpful and understanding doctor.
378) rain has finally ceased, I see blue sky, sunlight even!
379) Old smelly dog lying by the fire.
380) Aching emptiness paralyzing – it means something I haven’t yet discovered.
381) Word habits, drawing me back to You.
382) A busy weekend.
383) My little boy’s fascination and delight watching model railways.
384) The adoration of a dog reminding me to worship (thank you, David B.).
385) Audiobook speaking when I’m unable to read.
386) Water resting in torrent-hewn pools.
387) Brightness from even a grey sky.
388) Her example – walk when in the grey.
389) Breathing deeply through pain.
390) Walking slowly, carefully, through slippery miry clay.
391) Forest bursting full with the cycle of life.
392) Swinging legs and arms energizing me.
393) fantails flitting around me, being fed by our Father (Matthew 6:26).
394) Fingers pink and puffy from cold.
395) Coming home to warmth.
396) Life given by God, breathed across silver, creating a song of grace in worship to God.
David repentant
397) Pleasure in making a floor clean.
398) Turning on a dishwasher when it is late and I am tired.
399) A pleasant chat with my parent on the phone.
400) Daughter baking a cake and helping to make dinner.
401) Bad tasting medicine, that works.
402) Contentment with out little crooked house.
403) A quiet evening and early night when not feeling well.
404) Fifteen minutes to ponder Colossians.
405) Fresh coffee and bread smells on the main street as a workday begins.
406) Roads and a bus that gets me home through the roadworks.
407) A beautiful book
408) Electricity filling evening with lights.
409) Serving a forgetful girl rather than grumping at her.
410) My wife’s sparkling smile.
411) Student’s eating ice-creams on a sunny autumn day.
412) Walking and praying.
413) A quiet library.
414) A few moments to stop and ask for God’s strength.
415) Yummy dinner when feeling a bit stressed.
NZ Children murdered by parents or caregivers in the last five years.
416) Cleaning the kitchen floor, because the washing machine flooded.
417) Home-made Turkish coffee… Mmmm!
418) Traffic noise after the tragic silence yesterday.
419) Dwindling wood pile keeping us warm.
420) Hearth stopping hot coals from burning our house down!
421) Growing accustomed to an un-routine lifestyle.
422) Hot shower on a cold morning.
423) Toast at midnight.
424) Comfy woollen jersey.
425) Small people who quail before an unrestrained ranting.
426) Paradise ducks on the pond.
How the mighty have fallen! (2 Samuel 1:19)
427) Reminder that even the strong can fall.
428) Walking out of shade into sunshine.
429) Cicadas chirping.
430) Rope swing in an old tree.
431) Industry noises echoing around the hills reminding me there are echoes of Christ everywhere.
432) A small army of lancewoods.
433) Acknowledging a passing “I should have…” thought without beating myself up for it.
434) Blinding reflections of glory.
435) Cats lying on a roof to catch the last sunny warmth.
436) beauty of sailboats and steeples.
437) A church who accepts me in my strength and, more importantly, in my weaknesses.
446) Listening to The Myst of Eden: Hope
447) My 2-year-old son wanting a “cuggle” (cuddle).
448) Weekend holiday with friends.
449) Kids playing at the beach.
450) A hot shower and electric blanket when feverish with chills.
451) Breakfast lovingly prepared by my daughter. 
452) The wondrous immune system God gave even me.
453) Home-made lemon-honey drink.
454) We are charting a different course from the one that messed us both us.
455) Being taught by a preacher who knows the word well.
456) ‘Enough’ really is enough!
457) Pondering the astonishing promise of Ephesians 1:3
458) Music soothing my soul (1 Samuel 16:23).
459) Seeing danger for what it is.
460) The painful cleansing of confession (1 John 1:9).
461) Toddler sleeping all night in his own bed.
462) Someone to love me when I am not able to.
463) Reminder from a friend to stop and smell the roses.
464) Dinner at a family restaurant.
465) Exploring lifestyle changes, considering alternatives.
466) Parents coming for dinner.
467) Kids showing off for Grandma and Grandad.
468) A very tired girl after her friend’s birthday party and sleepover.
469) Fumbling through hard conversations.
470) Beginning to see that something is not right and could be better.
471) Small improvements giving hope.
472) Three hours of useful time through mis-reading my roster!
473) A messy story encouraging me to just do the next thing.
474) Some time to read quietly.
475) Freely offering praises to God.
476) Getting all the washing folded while watching a John Piper DVD.
477) Finally fixing the leaky spouting.
478) Stewed apples with custard and ice cream.
479) Seasons; in a year and in a life.
480) Fear and hope at opening up to another.
481) Going to church after a night working.
482) Being able to draw near to God through Christ, our High Priest (reminded by this post).
483) A mild winter (so far at least).
484) This astonishing technological entity we call the internet.
485) Encouragement today that even in this secular nation souls hunger for You. (The Harvest is ripe)
486) An hour relaxing at the library.
487) A friend who will take time to listen when time is what he has least of.
488) Happy, noisy children waking me up.
489) Psalm 139:12
490) Praying for my kids
491) Good books to read.
492) Bacon!
493) This reminder from John Piper: Beware of presuming on the strength of youth. “Even young men shall stumble and fall” (Isaiah 40:30). [even if I'm not so young any more!].
494) Eagerly looking for dawn when working night shift (2 Samuel 23:4).
495) Reminder to look through my circumstances to see God.
496) That sometimes simply doing my duty is enough.
497) Pen and paper, helping me to think and unload.
498) Eyesight – so fragile, so beautiful.
499) Clock ticking.
500) God’s strength (Isaiah 40:30)
501) Opportunity to do some outside work today.
502) Sunshine after working nights.
503) Flowers in midwinter.
504) Muscle-tiredness as a welcome change from weary-headedness.
505) Watching old movies of the kids when they were babies.
506) Tired girls after sleep-overs.
507) 2-year-old up in th night unwell – opportunity to show him a father’s love by giving him medicine and cuddles.
508) Depression – causing me to look closer at where my hope are placed.
509) The neighbour’s dog barking loudly, it is happy (joy) to see them come home.
510) My irritability – a reminder that I am setting my happiness upon trivial comforts.
511) A crisp, clear, cold winter’s day.
512) Noticing the storms clouds before deciding to walk to work (I will take the bus now!)
513) Eating toast and reading the Bible at midnight.
514) John 6:47
515) Serving others by filling up the water filter.
516) A broken egg for the dog to lick up.
517) Little boy sound asleep with toy trucks in his bed.
518) Left over chocolate fondue made by my girls.
519) Opportunity to walk to work.
520) Four layers of merino keeping me warm on a cold day.
521) Little reminders of where I am failing to serve those I love.
522) 30 minutes in a quiet house with a Bible.
523) Being able to help just one child suffering in poverty.
524) A cold morning cutting firewood with friends.
525) A weekend snowstorm.
526) Remembering to update computer anti-virus software.
527) Too many good blogs to have time to read.
528) Reminders that ordinary life counts for a lot.
529) Friends making it home safely.
530) Choosing to walk to work through snow and ice rather than taking the car and potentially crashing it.
531) Snow for the kids to play in.
532) Rain washing the snow away.
533) A spare sermon already written.
534) Asking my wife how I can help her feel more secure that I will never leaver her.
535) Her honest answer.
536) The tingle I feel when she kisses me (merino + synthetic fleece = electricity between us!)
537) A job which occupies my mind and my time.
538) Seeing again who I am and what I love.
539) A good book finished.
540) Dreams surpassed.
541) A christian preschool for my son
542) Barracuda washed up on the beach.
543) Huge changes compared with one year ago.
544) Friends visiting our church.
545) Folks noticing if we are late.
546) Enduring the day at work with a headache.
547) Bus to bring me home at the end of the day.
548) My children fed well enough that they can be fussy and waste some of their lunch.
549) Firewood delivered and stacked before the latest storm.
550) God kept the snow away so I could preach my sermon.
551) Kids enjoying collecting pine cones on a freezing cold afternoon.
552) Two-year-old son thinks my pathetic drawing of a tractor is wonderful.
553) The faith and perseverance of others lifting me up.
554) Ability.
555) Cooking dinner for a change, letting my wife rest.
556) Politicians I didn’t vote for.
557) A friend searching for ways to help.
558) Getting to bed at a reasonable hour.
559) Being pursued to deal with my weaknesses.
560) Those who love me making sure I am helped.
Carefully fanning the flame
561) An evening out at a movie with my wife.
562) Realizing the blessings showered upon me when I see shattered relationships.
563) Folks romping in snow in our church carpark.
564) Abundance of cuddles from my kids.
565) A warm ride to work through the snowstorm.
566) Chocolate cake lovingly created.
567) Roasting marshmallows.
568) Workmate picking up some cough medicine for me.
569) God already knows the ways in which I would fracture if put under pressure.
570) Birdsong this morning.
571) Knowing the ‘flu will pass!
572) Someday all will be made new.
573) Looking forward to a warm bed.
574) Home-made popcorn.
575) Paracetamol.
576) Birdsong at dawn.
577) At home sick with youngest daughter watching Sleeping Beauty together.
578) Blue skies after two weeks of gray.
579) A weekend break away.
580) Rainbow in the sink!
581) Getting away from our usual routine.
582) Getting away from my usual time-wasting computer habits.
583) Excited, hyped-up children.
584) All being together as a family.
585) Holiday cottage reminding me of my grandparents.
586) Realizing how poor some of my ancestors were.
587) Waking up to birdsong and beauty.
588) Pottery coffee mug.
589) Sunshine.
590) Peaceful walk on Moeraki beach.
591) Enormous ocean calmness.
592) Making sand mountains with my son.
593) Him stomping the mountain down!
594) Persistent dog with a stick.
595) A warm wind for drying washing.
596) Reminders of the need for, and power of, praying.
597) Despite it’s hideous noise, the vacuum cleaner is a useful thing.
598) Peace in our nation, allowing me to even consider folding laundry.
599) Living in this place where ‘enough’ is in fact a lot.
600) Calm harbour with ripples from birds catching fish.
601) A sheep in the street (only in NZ!)
602) Local fertilizer factory replacing the glass in some of our windows.
603) Invitation to join 30 days of prayer for the Shan in October.
604) A pay rise!
605) The simplest sermon I have ever delivered.
606) Learning endurance through pain and discomfort.
607) Gastroscopy date drawing nearer.
608) Walking.
609) Rain.
610) Walking in the rain.
611) Old memories showing me that I have changed and grown.
612) Godly discontent with my shallow faith.
613) Today, this moment.
614) Each time I get to kiss my wife and children.
615) A slightly tidier front yard.
616) Remembering where to find some unusual information when it was urgently needed.
617) A gift of tickets to take my daughters to the ballet.
618) A colleague swapping shifts with me so I can see my daughters in their school performance.
619) Birdsong heralding the dawn.
620) That I can call a sunny day ‘glorious’ and know God made it reflecting Himself.
621) A clear head despite tiredness.
622) Morning tea with the kids in their tree hut.
623) Lunch in the sun on our back porch.
624) Children giggling.
625) Being reminded that God counts me as His despite my sin and weakness.
626) Little boy miraculously returned home apparently unharmed after being abducted.
627) The flower poked under my windscreen wiper.
628) All the people working through the night to provide services essential to our society.
629) The prickly old holly hedge clippings transformed into rich garden compost.
630) Daughter spending her pocket money to get lollies for her Mum, Dad, brother and sister rather than herself.
631) Blog shifted to where it should be.
632) Stepping out the door from artificial worlds into the coolness of light, sun, fresh air and birdsong.
633) Internet down, so I get other jobs done this evening.
634) My little boy ‘helping’ me as I do odd jobs.
635) A cheap haircut.
636) Knowing I am saving myself $10 per month elsewhere before the letter arrived asking for an $8 per month increase to our child sponsorship.
637) That my eldest daughter still wants hugs with her Dad.
638) Electricity at the flick of a switch.
639) A box full of fun.
640) A new toilet.
641) Being scolded for overindulging the kids with dessert treats.
642) A devout rugby player.
643) People around to talk to instead of my own slightly mad company.
644) Pleasant evening with my parents.
645) Cleaning the oven (my wife’s most-hated item on her To-Do list).
646) Building momentum for the October month of prayer for the Shan.
647) Warm Nor-easter.
648) Trampoline.
649) Waving Gospel firebrands at the ‘black dog’ to keep it at bay.
650) Freedom to worship without harassment.
651) Clean water.
652) Little hands washed before lunch.
653) A couple dedicating themselves to work with the Shan.
654) Toy tractors in the vege garden.
655) Finding a new polarfleece top for only 20% of the marked price!
656) Watching the new BBC Jane Eyre movie with my wife.
657) just the two of us enjoying a walk on the beach together.
658) Reminder to come to Him as I am, childlike.
659) Cuddling my wee boy to sleep.
660) Sitting in sunshine.
661) Kids spending days building their tree-hut.
662) Cooking dinner.
663) A beautiful park to walk in.
664) Reading and writing on a rainy day.
665) Finding a baby stick insect on the floor and setting it free outside.
666) Daughter playing compassionately.
667) A refreshing cup of tea.
668) My son has spirit and persistence.
669) Girls giggling as they wash the car and each other.
670) The story God is weaving into this ordinary life.
671) That NZ has no snakes.
672) Safe traveling on a long weekend.
673) More than enough food to eat.
674) Water at the turn of a tap.
675) Clean water, with no pathogens in it.
676) Hot water.
677) A water filter to remove the chlorine from and cool my clean water!
678) Electricity reliably provided to my home.
679) The ability to pay the electricity bill
680) Shops where I can buy what I need.
681) Phone and internet connections.
682) Choices in what I want to eat.
683) Freedom to worship God without harassment.
684) Bibles for sale in the local bookshops.
685) Enough clothes to be warm and comfortable.
686) Access to healthcare when I need it.
687) Good dental care, even if it does cost a lot – when necessary I manage to find the money.
688) A vote of equal significance to everyone else in elections.
689) Warm shoes.
690) Abundance of what I need.
691) Art, making life more than making do.
692) Delight on girls faces.
693) A daughter wanting to imitate my Bible reading habits
694) Rekindled desire to play music.
695) End of my working day.
696) The wonder of a gull in flight.
697) Apples are cheaper than chocolate.
698) My wife, who I could not live without.
699) Daily, grace beyond anything I could ever deserve.
700) Guilt when I lazily take others for granted.
701) Coming home to pancakes after a night shift
702) A rebuke from the book of Proverbs.
703) My first run in a very long time.
704) Career clarity from the example of hard-working refugees.
705) King Saul and David reminding me of the value of music to my soul.
706) Patching up a daughter’s homework that was ripped by her baby brother.
707) Walking home from school with my girls.
708) A friend sharing his story in church.
709) Pastor John Piper.
710) Being forced to face a hard decision.
711) Grace at work in relationships.
712) His ‘still, small voice’.
713) Sermon prepared and delivered despite tiredness.
714) Poison prevention talk delivered.
715) Coffee and cake in a beautiful café.
716) The aroma of real pine Christmas trees.
717) Sunlight.
718) God putting the sun in the heavens (Genesis 1:16).
719) A peaceful election.
720) Not being allergic to pine pollen.
721) A quiet walk in the cool of evening
722) Realizing that too much alone time can be very bad for me, even as an introvert.
723) Poppa’s birthday.
724) Free-range eggs.
725) An award-winning film made by talented friends.
726) The year almost over while I am still feeling like it has only just begun.
727) A bible without notes in it to distract me.
728) So many toys, yet the simplest ones remain the best.
729) A wife and mum who cooks us dinner even when she is exhausted.
730) Hilarity at church board meetings!
731) My old dog snoring.
732) Chocolate cake.
733) Early morning sun peeking over the peninsula hills, under the clouds, across the harbour and into our kitchen.
734) The smell of early morning stillness.
735) Opportunity to give, even a little, to others.
736) Opportunity to learn music.
737) Opportunity to get fit.
738) Opportunity to grow my relationships with my children.
739) Opportunity to write.
740) Opportunity to grow my prayer life.
741) Opportunity to know the Bible better.
742) Opportunity to grow vegetables.
743) Opportunity to fix my house up a bit.
744) Opportunity to do my job better.
745) Opportunity to serve my church.
746) Opportunity to love my neighbour.
747) Opportunity to memorize parts of the Bible.
748) Opportunity to speak up for those who are suffering.
749) Prospect of getting to bed before midnight.
750) Children asleep.
751) Friendly neighbours.
752) Christian work colleagues.
753) Headache forcing me away from the computer.
754) Spring growth (and a lawnmower!).
755) Friends who use their talents well (and inspire me).
756) That even just doing the one next thing is still progress.
757) The recycling of at least some of our rubbish.
758) Gift of a large-print Bible to someone with poor eyesight.
759) Kids who can’t wait to hug their Dad.
760) Preaching through the Gospel of John in 2012 (and beyond probably!).
761) Surviving my first year of shift work.
762) At least realizing afterwards the ways I could have been a better Dad – try again tomorrow.
763) Abundance as my normal experience.
764) Clean, cold water on a hot day.
765) A New year’s day picnic a Purakanui inlet.
766) Being woken up by a toy truck driving over my head.
767) First born’s 10th birthday.
768) Christmas day with great friends.
769) Middle child’s birthday.
770) Father-in-law helping me cut down our prickly front hedge.
771) Two weeks off work.
772) Seeing a miracle baby walking and laughing.
773) Heather and I working together as a team.
774) Our old dog keeping Poppa company while we are away.
775) Looking forward to holiday soccer games.
776) And water fights!
777) Music from The Lion King stuck in my head.
778) Vacuuming our car out.
779) Fresh peas in pods.
780) Safe holiday travels.
781) Lunch at the Flying Pig Café.
782) Roasting marshmallows over a bonfire.
783) Kids playing on inner tubes on the river.
784) That my daughter didn’t go all the way over the waterfall!
785) Her friend for rescuing her.
786) Dinosaur eggs.
787) Our kids winning the scavenger hunt.
788) An evening with my sister.
789) A quality wee dram.
790) Risk (the board game)
791) Excitement for children being allowed to stay up late.
792) Fitting everything into the car.
793) The familiar feel of my Bible pages.
794) Bacon, beans, french toast, fried tomato and fresh coffee for breakfast.
795) Rain on our parched garden.
796) Children in bare feet.
797) Bees on clover.
798) A relaxed, slow start to the day.
799) Another round of potty training.
800) Knowing I still have so much to learn.
801) A long walk beside the river.
802) The flash drive which accidentally went through the washing machine and still works!
803) Finding just the right birthday present for my son.
804) Making a new sandpit.
805) Daughters being invited to stay with their cousins.
806) The chatter of 3 year-old son.
807) 10 year-old daughter wanting to hang out with her Dad.
808) Afternoon sun shining through the stained glass window in our room as I count blessings.
809) The shadow of a power pole showing me a cross as I cry out to God.
810) Printer not working, forcing me to slow and write out my list by hand.
811) Lions and tigers lined up on a window sill.
812) Flavouring to add to the muddy tasting river water.
813) Corn on the cob.
814) My wife correcting our eldest daughter.
815) Quiet and solitude when my heart is heavy.
816) The snoring wheeze of my son sleeping.
817) My failure to fight for joy driving me to Christ in prayer.
818) Neither parent over-reacted or got angry
819) The incident happened at a time we were able to cope – earlier in the day I was on a short fuse!
820) The scribbles were in pencil, an eraser got it off
821) Grandparents coming to visit
822) Fresh apricots (the taste of sunshine as my wife says)
823) Chocolate frogs (the cause of the tantrum)
824) Better behaviour from naughty child this evening
825) We are gradually figuring out how this child interacts with the world
826) Still feeling love towards all my kids even when I simultaneously feel frustrated, angry, tired and fed up with them.
