Every good gift

I've been reading Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts".  I'm about half way through the book and I must say, it is one of the most soothing books to read.  Something about her style and the lovely turns of phrases that amount to something incredibly profound.  The right words and the right time.  I'm a fairly fast reader, but I only want to read a chapter a day of this book.  I need time to let the images and concepts and challenges sink in: to ruminate.  Although the author and I share different doctrines and theology (she's non-denominational and I'm Lutheran-Missouri Synod), I must say she articulates so well the theology of the cross.  She understands God at work in the darkness of life, claiming all things for the good of those who love Him.  She states that in order to become thankful, to notice God's grace in all things, she has to practice being thankful.  She starts keeping a list of any and everything that she could be thankful for.  I love that idea.  If you want to become something, to assume a characteristic, you must practice that characteristic.  I want to be more hospitable.  I must start inviting people to our home.  I rarely pray for patience for the way to being given that gift is often through practice and I don't like practicing patience!  (haha) She also uses her camera as a means of documenting the loveliness of the things around her.  She spent a page talking about a "golden halo of shredded cheese" that she took photos of.  Oddly enough, I could see myself doing that.  In fact, I think I do do that.  I did it today.

I turned thirty this past week.  My sister, husband, and friend made me feel so celebrated and loved.

My sister gathered thirty items that I love.  She included a beautiful lily of the valley print, my favorite coffee creamer, a pound of butter (!),  tinted lip balm, nail polish, etc.  The thing that made me laugh the hardest was a box of personalized pens.  FIFTY personalized pens.  When I was little, I was so covetous of personalized pencils.  My parents gave me a set for Christmas and the rejoicing on our family video is hilarious.  She also gave me some vintage blouses that belonged to our grandmother, hoping we could conjure up a way to use the cloth covered buttons and lace details to create something new.  I so appreciated her thoughtfulness. 




My husband bought me several thoughtful gifts (music, the aforementioned book, a journal, the sixth season of Bones, etc.) and some lovely autumnal flowers.

All back lit by the afternoon sun, like stained glass....

He and our eldest surprised me on a Saturday with mums and a rose.  I, however, am not good with plants.  This poor mum needs to be watered daily and it is showing signs of my neglect already.  But I love it.  Because it is a sign of my husband's affection.  I still find beauty in my beat up, scraggly mum.

The "Christmas" cactus that used to be my grandmother, had passed down to my mother who shared a portion with me this summer, bloomed.  Right after my birthday, the buds opened. 
I so love this plant.  For all the sentimental reasons and for the practical.  It is a plant that actually thrives amidst my neglect.  And although far from being on schedule, this plant, once a part of my grandmother's home, seemed to celebrate with our family. 


The point here, and I do have one, is that the gifts I received for my birthday have taught me something about my own ability to be thankful, to celebrate and to see the Lord's goodness.  The things that mean the most, that are the most cherished and for which I am most thankful, are the things that come from those that love me deeply.  They are the items and plants, regardless of outward beauty (or even evidence of good health) and worth, which are symbols of their affection for me, their understanding of me and desire to show it.  I love the scraggly mum, the old, worn blouses and off-timed cactus.  If they weren't from my husband/sister/grandmother via my mother, I don't know that I'd care in the least for those items.  I must learn, in the same way, to see the things I receive in life as given to me by my Lord, my Heavenly Father, who loves me the most and knows me more intimately than anyone.  I want to acknowledge the gifts, and it is gift, because of Who it is from: my Lord, who loves me.  He wants to give me good and I receive it from His hand, to acknowledge it with praise and thanksgiving.  To at least notice. To give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), to acknowledge every good and perfect gift (James 1:7), not just the shiny, pretty, new ones.

"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host:

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen."

LSB 805