gratitude ...

from the gratitude community at holy experience, Ann Voskamp has offered an invitation to a transformative life opportunity i'd like to share with you ~  it begins with developing a thankful heart, an attitude of gratitude.  then making the time to acknowledge our appreciation for what comes to mind.  i'm taking time sundays as the day to record.  it's inspiring wonderful contemplation that increases my worship of the Giver of all Good and Perfect Gifts.  as i reflect upon each gift, my worship increases.  it brings me to deeper revelation and relational intimacy.   use whatever day works for you.  get a unique notebook, start a new blog page, a flexible binder now that school supplies are everywhere, or ?  be creative.  this is your gratitude expressed to your Creator.  let's see what we notice of all the grace and goodness given.

i found Ann's quote from John Milton restated Faith Hope & Cherrytea's life statement so beautifully. * "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."
People who kept a gratitude journal reported feeling more joyful, enthusiastic, interested, attentive, energetic, excited, determined, and strong than those in the hassles condition. They also reported offering others more emotional support or help with a personal problem— supporting the notion that gratitude motivates people to do good.*

ready to begin? ...

*1. Pray that He may open the eyes of our hearts
2. Begin giving thanks for the daily washing in His fountain of Gifts--just on a scrap piece of paper or in a journal. Notice and write down from the obvious to little. And begin to feel more joy, less stress, better health, more connected in your relationships, and more delight in your everyday life. Praise is what we are made for!
3. I found setting a time goal of choosing to give thanks for a 1000 gifts over a course of a few months was beneficial --- kept me attending to all the ways in which He whispers "I love you." Some folks set a goal of counting ten graces a day, others spend one day a week intensely counting. But consider youself warned: counting gifts is addictive and becomes the happiest of habits that becomes a way of living praise!
4. I try to add to the endless list of gifts every Monday... to begin the week with a heart spilling with gratitude!*
5. If you'd like to add your blog to Ann's gratitude community blog list, she offers you the use of the 1000 Gifts graphic (see above)*

and ...
   if you are participating, would you take the moment to comment and let me know?  then grab a cup on me and add it to your blog post or page.  this will link us together and others interested, to join the pursuit of goodness and grace.  i am starting a new page, 'goodness & grace', to record my thanks and will look forward to hearing of your beginnings.  there is no obligation as to how many goodnesses you record or expected time limit to record them. this is about process and growth. depth. about transformation. more will be gained by meditating on what H Sp reveals than just crunching a gratitude grocery list.  peace be with you as you deepen your intimacy of relationship with your Friend of Friends...

let's celebrate this transformative step together!
and let's inspire and inspirit each other as we grow in faith, hope and cherrytea ~

here's an opp to link us with your goodness and grace post or page  ~

trust...

i've been experiencing interesting days of discovery, since returning from the mission, to find doves - otherwise not so attractively known as pigeons - had moved into the available space of my 10th floor balcony.  In my naivete, at the time, i didn't remove the 2 eggs in the nest.  In the intervening time, that naivete has been completely

replaced with worldly wisdom regarding dove eggs and nests.  i have already removed a further two within this past month without remorse.  but by allowing those first 2 eggs the opportunity to hatch, i have gained some amazing opportunities myself. 

i have enjoyed the upclose views of the little hatchlings in their wet yellow feathers.  watched those yellow feathers be filled in with the deep charcoals, greys and softest white down.  and just now seeing the beginnings of the translucent plum and green around the neck.  i've seen them go from cowering against the tyndal stone of the wall to hesitantly venturing into the open.  then in these past couple days, they've  begun to test their wings.  hopping from one foot to another fluttering every God given feather as they try to gain lift.  and finally, though barely reaching it, yet still they have - flown to the rail along the balcony's edge.  there they perch with claws struggling to keep their unsteady hold before they turn back around to try a wobbly flutter to the comfort of solid ground - balcony in this case.  almost big enough but not quite ready for freedom's flight. 

fascinating.  it's my daily exploration.  where are the babies?  what are they doing?  then stepping in to chase off offending larger doves that are interfering with the babies nest area.  both for the sake of the babies and preventing any further babies!  two has been enough of a nature lesson, thank you so much.

but it has had value also in recognizing the nature and necessity of process.  from the idea in the egg to the current stage of development has taken weeks.   nothing happened over nite.  yet the parents continue to hover over them, overseeing their every attempt and encouraging them in it.  they do this grasping thing with their beak on the young one's beak to pull them out further into the open.  then they flutter up onto the rail and soon the young one does too.  leading by example.  maybe that's where it comes from!  successfully too.  participating in that leading.

i don't know how much longer til the big leap off the rail, but i do know it will be in the fullness of time.  as with every advance in this development process.  as with all things when we allow H Sp to lead.  when H Sp is allowed to lead, things develop on and in time.  God knows ends from very beginnings.  and knows how to bring things to fulfillment.  initiating then fully participating in the process. 

the question is, are we willing to wait?  

are we willing to trust?