We desire a life of contentment right here, right now. We desire to see our own grass in the truest shade of green; not the best and brightest shade, but a true and humble shade. We desire to believe that we can do hard things.
A couple of years ago The Mrs. read a book that changed us, challenged us, bettered us. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. She could share over a dozen quotes from the book that moved her, but nothing changed us more that this...
"God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy."
This practice is incredibly simple and the results for our family astounding! Step one: Give thanks! Give thanks for everything, for anything, for everything-even the hard things because they change us, stretch us, mature us, and draw us nearer to God. Step two: Unwrap the Gift Given. Unwrap HIS gifts. When we take time each day to notice that we have something, even tiny moments to be thankful for, we start to experience joy and contentment. Additionally, the more we practice gratitude the more joy we experience and naturally contentment follows.
Jesus wants us to live life joyfully. Shortly before he was crucified, Jesus spoke to His disciples saying, " These things I have spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" ~John 15:11 That Jesus' very own joy might remain in us, that our own joy might be full! It seems like a dream, right, to live a life that is full of joy! It certainly doesn't come easy for us; resisting the temptation to complain, to judge, to want what we don't have, but with prayer and practice and a whole lotta' Jesus in our hearts it's getting easier day by day!
This blog is a journal of sorts; a practice of gratitude and authentic reflection of our family's continued journey to contentment and joy. Our journey is a work in progress. It is certainly not all glitter and sparkles nor is it picture perfect. We seek to give thanks and experience joy not only in the beautiful heart filled moments of life, but in the hard times as well.
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| - Mr. and Mrs. and two of our greatest gifts!- |
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