I am reading a book. I’ll talk more about it (much more!) later. For now, a new habit: Weekends here will just be a list of what I am thankful for from that past week. A new discipline of gratitude–will you join me?
- Coming home late from a date with my man. Tiptoeing in the front door, giddy, feeling so young.
- Feeling through the darkness in Dutch’s room, sliding under his quilt by his side to smell his sweet breath and kiss his sleeping cheeks.
- Walking through the house and seeing beauty, order. Feels so good.
- Crawling in fresh, white, soft sheets. Sinking into mattress, the weight of the comforter and quilt heavy, holding me down. Down I go into sleep.
- Arm across the bed. He is there.
- Waking up alive, searching my mind to put together puzzle pieces of reason and remember what day it is. Oh! Friday. My favorite day. He is home today.
- Crack of the door, soft pitter-patter footprints down the hall. I sit and wait with a smile for his little four-year-old wonder to crack open my door and peak inside. The question is framed on his face full of light, “Is it time to get up yet?”
- Pulling back my covers to make a spot in the warm nest of my bed. I smile. “Come on in.” He does.
- 1 Samuel words of Saul and David–who I currently am and who I long to be, respectively.
- The beauty of Jonathan’s love for David. A truest friend.
- The outdoor sweaty smell of my man as he walks in, back from a run. He is feeling strong, happy, confident. I smile.
- The book on my nightstand, One Thousand Gifts, which inspires this weekend giving of thanks.
- The feeling of knowing this might be the book that changes my 2011.
- The wondering and anticipation of how God will continue to Fill in my Blank.
- Thoughts of Pete’s Mountain potential.
- Epiphanies from The King’s Speech. How often have I let childhood’s fears paralyze my life?
- Resolutions.
- Decorating with tree-branches.
- Lingering long in the Word, rushing downstairs to start the breakfast. Stop. Smile. Jeff’s already made it.
- A tea-date with my long-time discipler. The woman who changed my life. Laughter. Tears. Losing track of time.
- College friends who left it all to share His light in Uganda with their 4 children 5 and under.
- Other college friends over for dinner–we all have kids now! Life so different. My friend round and glowing and beautiful with their second child coming soon.
- Long hot shower. A new hair-bandana that lets me go one more day without washing. Beautiful. 🙂
- Coming down the stairs, un-made-up and feeling lovely, to see Jeff and kids at the table praying morning prayers over steaming bowls of oatmeal. The thanks tumbles over then.
- Coming home to find every single room turned over–toys spilled, forts made, crumbs strewn–children happy. Evidence of a morning with daddy.
- Sunshine.
- Toasted cheese sandwiches, oozing soft and crunching hard, eaten on the front porch–a chilly picnic in the winter sunshine.
- Dutch’s soft “I love you, mommy” spoken through after-discipline tears. Feeling the rebellion slowly slide out of his body as he lets go, rests in my arms.
- Watching Heidi feed her babydoll a bottle of milk.
- Getting rid of 3 pairs of shoes I never wear.
- The Road to Santa Clara Candi over for the day. We talk of gardening, gratitude, and giving God our dreams. Isaiah 26:3 frames our talk. “Mind” in Young’s Literal Translation is “imagination”. We give our imaginations to the God who made them.
- An awesome new development through the Oregon Women’s Report. Partnering with area churches to tell the inspiring stories of women around the state. So. Cool.
- Having to keep my laptop open all day because there are so many things to be thankful for.
- Did I mention sunshine?
- Little Dutch’s collision with tile countertop. Teeth through lip. Horrific mouth full of blood and running down his chin–and him insisting that he was fine! Weak smile as I tucked him into bed: “It’s all healed, mommy. It’s all ok.” Sweet brave boy.
- Long afternoon spent down at the creek. Throwing rocks. Running fingertips over soft, moist, incredibly 70s green moss. Wishing my eyes were a camera.
- The dishwasher.
- Saturdays.
- Grace.
3 thoughts on “Week's end with thanks”
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I think I know what book you’re reading ….because I read the same one AND am writing down my small, everyday graces. 🙂
This was a beautiful list. It encouraged me to keep writing down mine.
Be blessed~
Kristi
Wow, Kari – this is great! I loved reading it and am inspired!
This morning I’m thankful for a chicken roasting in the oven by 8:30am and smelling up the house wonderfully!
Bless you friend!
And I am thankful for YOU, my friend. Can’t wait to see you all Monday night. Enjoy that chicken! 🙂