The Challenge of Blessings Passed On

“…understanding true joy by being more aware of the gifts inherent in our lives every day.  And in the turning of pages I am thinking of all the many gifts I am given that I simply take for granted……and often don’t even think of as a blessing or a gift.”  (Joanne Miller)

I was recently given the privilege of receiving a message from Joanne Miller, a truly inspiring woman, challenging me as well as many others, to consider the many blessings in my life.  She received as a gift the book titled One Thousand Gifts….A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are,  by Ann Voskamp.  The challenge set forward was to write down and record the many little blessings, or gifts, that God gives to us each day, hoping to reach 1000 before the year is over. 

It only took a few days for me to realize that I wanted to accept this challenge, and also to pass it on to others who might want to take up the challenge for themselves.  I have a journal that I am going to begin writing down the many blessings that I have so often taken for granted:  My ability to exercise.  The privilege to hear my children play their drums, guitar, and sing, not to mention when they say, “I love you.”  The joy of seeing a different sunrise each and every morning, instead of focusing on the fact that I did not get to sleep in.  The feeling of satisfaction when I write a check to cover the mortgage this month, knowing that God has provided my job in order to write that check. 

Everyone’s list is going to look different.  Mrs. Miller even suggests taking our little notebook with us in our car or purse to catch the times we are blessed in the community.  But everyone, if we look hard enough, will see multiple blessings each and every day. 

And because Mrs. Miller says it best, “By keeping track in this physical way, I believe I will not only become more aware but I will also gain the blessing of saying “Thanks!” to God in a tangible way that is in line with living my life as a prayer.”

Thank you, Joanne, for challenging me to see life as a blessing. 

Psalms 103:2: “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…”