The biggest transformation came when I began a little list. Early in the year, my friend and mentor encouraged me and a group of friends to write out 100 things we were thankful for. There was something special about writing these things out. I also heard people talk about a book called One Thousand Gifts. The stirring from that list that I had started hadn't left me and I knew this book went into this idea more. I downloaded the book on my iPad and began reading it. I started a new list in my bible journal and decided to write down 5-10 things I was thankful for before getting into God's word and starting each day. I kept reading and writing. Then one day, something came to me. The things I had been writing down, the things I'm grateful for were God's special gifts to me. They weren't just things I was thankful for or favorite things, they were GIFTS! He was blessing me daily through people and experiences. That is why I loved these things, these moments so much and couldn't wait to write them down. In an instant, my eyes were opened to JOY and how to find it. My JOY and my FAITH grew with THANKSGIVING (1 Corinthians 2:7). My perspective changed and I started noticing more and more of God's special gifts just for me throughout my day. JOY like never before. JOY in EVERYTHING!
Things that were once frustrations were no longer viewed as frustrations. These things had now become moments of JOY:
- Messes around the house, I found JOY in. Instead of getting frustrated, I became so thankful that I have an amazing husband and two healthy little girls to pick up after.
- Change of plans or things not going as I had planned, JOY! I am thankful that God's ways are so much better than my ways and we will make the most out of our new plans.
- A bad run, JOY. Thank you, Jesus for a healthy body and the ability to get out and enjoy your creation.
- Something falling apart in our 100 year old house, JOY! How cool is it that we live in a 100 year old house? We have amazing neighbors, live in an awesome neighborhood and we have been good stewards with the money the Lord has blessed us with and He always provides so broken things can be fixed.
Not only did my perspective change in this area, but I also started to notice little things that I had been taking for granted or really just missed before:
- The people...friends, mentors, groups, that God has placed in our lives. I can look back and see His hand and how He knew years ago how much these people would mean in our lives. JOY!
- My VAN! Oh I so did not want a minivan, but I can't tell you how much JOY our Routan brings to our family.
- God using our girls to speak right to my heart and encourage me. JOY!
- Scott's generosity and huge heart for giving. JOY!
- Getting to be home with our girls every single day and the calling to homeschool them. Wow! The way God has been paving the road for this all along is magnificent (this is a blog post all of it's own!) JOY!
"Always be full of JOY in the Lord. Again I say-rejoice!" Philippians 4:4. (Always: at all times, something that happens or is done continuously, receptively, on every occasion.) I am so thankful that God took me on this JOY Journey. I finished the year with 680 things on the list that I started in June. 2013 finds me starting all over at 1, finding JOY in EVERYTHING, ALWAYS. Will you join me?
Did you have a One Word/One Thing for 2012 or do you have one for 2013? I would love to hear it! My 2013 One Word post is coming next!
