It started in January of this year. A few friends and I, desiring to deepen our relationship with HIM and each other, began reading One Thousand Gifts. To carry out both, we chose one Thursday night a month to meet, have coffee or sip tea, enjoy sumptuous pastries, catch up, chit-chat, share requests and discuss a chapter. This month, March, 2012, welcomed chapter 3.
This time we gathered in my home. I opened the front door, ushered in friends who are fast becoming family while hugging neck after neck. With candles lit, air saturated with the scent of coffee, we laughed, shared, and enjoyed each others company. We shook off the cares of the day, kicked off our shoes, propped our feet up and drank in beautiful conversation.
Once we settled into our places ~ chairs, couches, the floor ~ we opened Ann’s book.
Each chapter is unique with a special quality which draws you right into it. As we began to share what leaped off the page and into our hearts, HIS presence settled right in the middle of us. He was palpable. It was one of those moments where stopping and basking was about all you wanted to do. And bask we did.
It was a quiet moment.
It was a holy moment.
My pursuit of holy moments continues…
3 gifts eaten:
- 650. lettuce with fresh red onions…
- 651. red delicious apples, sliced just right…
- 652. mild salsa used in place of dressing (yummy!)…
3 gifts that made me laugh:
- 653. upon his return, following a 2 month vacation, Mr. Hahn, my pedicure guy, greeted me with a jolly laugh and a hug of appreciation…
- 654. a hilarious scene in a favorite television program put me to the floor in laughter…
- 655. out loud laughter when watching one of Alex’s many impersonations…
a gift salty, sweet, just right:
- 656. ensalada de cilantro y pollo from Cantina Laredo ~ salty, but perfectly seasoned…
- 657. Crystal Light Lemonade, lightly sweetened, only 5 calories per glass…
- 658. tortilla chips shared with my mom were seasoned just right for the both of us…
3 gifts found in HIS word:
- 659. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ~ Philippians 4:11,12 (NLT)
- 660. I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. ~ Psalm 69:30 (NKJV)
- 661. I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people… ~ 1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)
3 gifts found in women today:
- 662. Friendships…
- 663. belly laughing with my friends as Alex does with his…
- 664. opportunity to review my sweet friend, Katie Orr’s new devotional eBook, Focused15…
3 gifts spoken:
- 665. prayers in Spanish and English as our church prepared for our Festival Latino…
- 666. sweet words from precious people who welcomed us into their home for dinner…
- 667. after using words to esteem my son, he responded by saying “Thank you, Mommy, for encouraging me”…
a gift sung, a gift written, a gift planted:
- 668. hymns lifted in both Spanish and English during our combination service this morning…
- 669. notes, quips and power-filled quotes taken away from services today…
- 670. heart deposits into the hearts of others…
Linking with sweet Ann for Multitudes on Mondays…
