"BE THANKFUL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS." I Thess. 5:18


163 - There are times and circumstances when, rather than spend time in prayer or give thanks, we want to run and hide from the One who loves us most. On a day when I was feeling just that way a package arrived on our front porch from a dear friend whom I have never met in person. We have shared so much from our hearts I hardly remember that fact. With a heart filled with love and gratitude - thank you dear friend for a gift that could not have been more timely or perfect.

164 - My Mom presented me with these two little china cups on Mother's Day - one from each of my Grandmothers. She said she wants to begin to give away some of her treasures so that she can see us enjoy them. I am overwhelmed by her love and this priceless gift. (She also made the double wedding ring quilt in the background - another priceless gift.)



165 - My granddaughter picked out this gift for me for Mother's Day. I love it. It goes perfectly right on our bed. How good God is to allow my children see me this way. He takes my human failings and weaknesses and covers them with His grace - an amazing gift.

166 - The only plants I have any real success with are African Violets. Although I love flowers, I seem to have a knack for killing everything I get my hands on. For some reason these sweet little flowers like me. I have a window sill in my kitchen that suits them very well - just the right amount of indirect sunlight. I try to bother them as little as possible, but this pink one was in danger of perishing. It had grown completely over the side of its little pot. With great fear and trepidation I transplanted it into a new pot. I had to be rather rough with it to get it centered and for a few days the outlook for survival was pretty bleak. I watered and fed it - and left it along. Before too long the leaves "unwilted" and now there are pretty pink blossoms once again. I feel as though it is a special gift this sweet little plant that was perilously close to death.

167 - Time spent with family and friends watching our much loved San Antonio Spurs play in the NBA playoffs. There is a small-town feel to San Antonio and this team is very special to us. It was fun to watch the games together - even if we didn't get the outcome we were so hoping for.

168 - We had our Choir Banquet last night. It is a gift to my husband and I - being a part of this ministry. It is a very special group of people, who welcomed us with such warmth and love from the very first time we went to a practice. It is amazing the way the Father takes our service and turns it into blessing that far outweighs any effort on our part.

169 - Spending a sunday afternoon with our daughter. She lights up our lives!

170 - Laughter! Even after forty-one years of marriage, no one can make me laugh like my husband. There is something so special about being able to laugh together - sometimes we don't even have to say a word - just a look and you know what the other one is thinking. Another precious gift.

If you enjoy reading these 1000 Gifts posts, you can find more here at Ann's blog. She is the one who first got me started, and she has a list of other bloggers in her sidebar who are also writing these posts. There is something so uplifting about reading words of gratitude. I enjoy all the different blogs that share the same theme. They are a blessing.

With much love,