Day is here and the light of the night sky seems out of place. I am reminded of how big God is and how small I am, and I give thanks. It has already begun...this discipline of gratitude. It began a year ago with the reading of a book.
November is my favorite month...closing out with the celebration of Thanksgiving. You won't find it in the bible, some festival God decreed. We made it up ourselves...a nation celebrating what God had done. And yet for me...the month and day are sacred. Thirty days to grow this giving thanks habit.
The author makes it clear as I read Chapter 1 again.
"From all of our beginnings, we keep reliving the Garden story. Satan, he wanted more. More power, more glory. Ultimately, in his essence, Satan is an ingrate. And he sinks his venom into the heart of Eden. Satan's sin becomes the first sin of all humanity; the sin of ingratitude. Adam and Eve are, simply, painfully, ungrateful for what God gave.
Our fall was,has always been, and always will be that we aren't satisfied in God and what He gives. We hunger for something more, something other."--Ann Voskamp
Our world is a world of more...more money, homes, clothes...the list could go on forever. Just when we reach the goal and begin to live in it, we decide we still want more.
I make my commitment again for this year. Four short weeks of making a list. A list that turns my heart and mind from the more I want to the enough I already have. Maybe you could join me in the list making. Just the jotting down of a few things you are thankful for each day.
And so it begins...
1...basket balls, and jump ropes waiting for the players.
2...little girls eating hot dogs.
3...small hands strumming strings.
4...dancing and singing on the stage.
5...concentrating faces.
Want to read the book too? Just click here to visit Ann's website aholyexperience.com. You will find a place to purchase the book and read her blog. There is even an app to help you with your list.
