Pages

Monday, April 9, 2012

One Thousand Gifts (705-720)

Continuing on my journey toward one thousand gifts....


Karen Ehman inspired me with her idea of sending off encouraging cards during the 40 days of Lent. While meeting with my Growth Group, we were asked what (if anything) we do during Lent and I explained where the idea came from and my commitment during Lent.

I thought I'd tell you about my Lenten experience of sending 40 cards in 40 days.

There were a couple of encores (2 people received 2 separate cards).

Some people expressed their thanks and their words were basically, 'Wow. Perfect timing. I needed to hear encouraging words today.'

The glory goes to God and His perfect timing.

I didn't hear from others and that was fine too because I took on this commitment to serve others, not to receive praise from them.

This experience started out easy. God providing me with a name/situation, writing the card, mailing it. Easy.

Half way through Lent (around Day 20) was more of a challenge. Who to send a card to? I talked to Wonderful Husband about hitting a wall (or was it a speed bump?) and a couple days later at my Growth Group meeting, two of the group asked how it was going. I laughed and said, "Funny you should ask since it's becoming more challenging as the days continue forward." They offered me words of encouragement that were deeply appreciated.

Wonderful Husband walked the cards to the mailbox every morning before picking up the newspaper. He was an integral part of this experience and  he received a card expressing my appreciation for his support, love, and care for me for....oh so many years.

I had a large supply of DaySpring cards on hand, plenty of postage stamps, and the cards sent included: prayers, encouragement, birthday, and sympathy cards. I sent cards to family, friends and a first year college student. It was a commitment of my time, focusing on others, and the experience blessed me tremendously!

I will continue this Lenten tradition next year.

And all the glory goes to God!
____________________________________

#705 - 720 on my list of One Thousand Gifts. I'm thankful for:

705. Karen Ehman for sharing her idea

706. sending cards during Lent. It was easy, and challenging, and a blessing.

707. God who deepened my faith through Lent this year

708. our son, the Teacher visiting during his spring break

709. the safety of my Texas family during the tornadoes this past week

710. following a car with a license plate frame that said, "The lower the latitude, The better the attitude." (It made my "southern heart" smile:)

711. receiving a text that our granddaughter cut her first tooth

712. cotton socks on my cold feet

713. a surprise gift from Charlotte hand-delivered to me at work, the book: Selections from One Thousand Gifts: Finding Joy in What Really Matters by Ann Voskamp

714. pear trees in full bloom


715. shopping with Young Sweetie and Youngest Sweetie. These two enjoy shopping.


716. Holy Week and reading scripture each day

717. the 8:00 a.m. Easter service at church



718. pineapple stuffing, the perfect complement to ham. I love taking a side dish to family events!






719. Youngest Sweetie's first Easter egg hunt

Youngest Sweetie is not a big fan of grass,
and received help from her mama and uncle.
720. reading Holley Gerth's book, You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be, and following along with Bloom (in)courage book club

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.

What are you thankful for this week?

3 comments:

  1. what a beautiful idea - 40 cards for Lent... i love it and hopefully will remember it for next year!!

    blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing your Lenten experience! What a wonderful idea! I will have to put that one on the calendar for next year!! Great way to focus on others! Love the Pear Tree in bloom! Your grandaughter is precious!! Have a Blessed Week!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and if you leave a comment...well that's just icing on the cake!