Inspiration for Project Thankfulness

            Lately, I have been quite discouraged. To speak honestly, this past year has been hard for me emotionally.  But I was beginning to experience Spring in my life. A rebirth of joy and gratefulness and just plain happiness. But I'm back in a slight funk as my physical health has demanded rest from me and little movement. Don't get me wrong I'm not dying and I'm not alone. Friends and co-workers have been so caring and gracious to me here. But not being able to go to work this past week has put a damper on my ministry and interactions with high school students. Which saddens me more knowing I only have 5 weeks left with them.

             Needless to say, I have a lot of time on my hands. This always gets me thinking. Sometimes I'm too analytical for my own good. About a month ago I began reading a book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. It is a story of her own personal journey. I'm still only 60 pages in, I read too many books at one time. And working at the library doesn't help my already bad habit of starting new books before I finish old ones. Whoops. My dear friend Taylor loaned me the book. I was instantly interested in reading it because of the aesthetically pleasing cover design! As I began reading, many aspects of the book drew me in. A significant one being that she is a farmer's wife. I'm no farmer's wife but I am a farmer's daughter. I'm sure from the outside, this woman looks like she has it all. A husband, 6 children who adore her, oh and she home schools them. Pretty impressive. Not to mention her amazing writing skills. But she still experiences sadness and the daily drone of life.

             While studying the Word one day, she stumbles across the word 'eucharisteo' meaning 'he gave thanks.' 'Eucharisteo' translating to thankfulness with grace and joy caught up in it. Jesus was constantly giving thanks to His Father. 1 Corinthians 11:23-24; Matthew 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:16; John 11:41; Psalm 50:23. As her story unfolds, she is challenged by a friend in her life to name one thousand blessings. Or gifts-- hence the title of the book. One thousand things she is thankful for.

              Sometimes when I go to pray I feel as though my mouth is glued shut. There is so much I want to share with God but nothing comes out. So I just go on living life without really engaging in prayer. I was having one of those times yesterday. Reasons why I journal. God always seems to at least unstick my mind when I have a pen in hand. Which usually leads to my lips unsticking and a conversation.

This time it has led me to this blog post.

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20).

"When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin and deep crevices, life grows" (58).

"And when I give thanks for the seemingly microscopic, I make a place for God to grow within me" (59).

A..."Dare to write down one thousand things I love. It really is a dare to name all the ways that God loves me" (p. 59).

             My mind began reeling as I read these statements. What would it be like to capture my thankfulness? My heart literally began quickening its pace as I considered. A rush of joy and hope. To practice thankfulness and experience richer relationship with My Father through thankfulness.

            Project Thankfulness: take a photo each day that captures my thankfulness, for the remainder of my time in Germany. An experiment to connect more deeply with God, notice his blessings, see his goodness. And an opportunity to share thankfulness.

Perhaps if you look VERY closely you will see what I wanted to capture. Floating all about this beautiful tree in my backyard are tiny white dandelion fluffs. They looked so free and dainty floating all about the yard. Thank you Jesus for dandelion fluffs!

Feel free to keep checking out Project Thankfulness :)

Warmly,
Amy