Ann Voskamp of The Holy Experience of Listening has written a wonderful post at Christian Women Online about being thankful for all the wonderful gifts we receive from God. It has made me think of everything that I can so easily take for granted. This (seemingly random) list doesn't even scrape the surface...

1. The roof over my head, protecting me from the rain as I write
2. Double glazing protecting me from the wind and rain
3. The computer that I'm writing on right now
4. Warmth from the central heating
5. An abundance of food in the kitchen
6. Clean fresh drinking water
7. Hot water on tap
8. That I am on my side of the doctor's desk rather than being a patient
9. The joy of treating someone and making them better
10. The honour of sharing in people's lives through joys and struggles
11. Having a job to go to every day
12. Having a job that I love
13. Christian senior and junior colleagues
14. A Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church
15. God's mercy in bringing me to faith while attending a liberal church where the minister did not believe the Bible!
16. The family of believers
17. Friends in the real world
18. Friends in the blogging world
19. Having my own Bible
20. Owning several Bibles in different translations when millions in the world do not even have the Gospels in their own language
21. A wonderful Bible study group of godly young women wanting to pursue womanhood the way God intended
22. Being able to meet freely in church and in our homes for Bible study, prayer and fellowship
23. Godly older women willing to mentor and encourage me
24. The gift of singing
25. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with which to praise and worship God
26. Literacy to read the Bible and other good books
27. My little sister and for the close friendship we have developed over the last year after many years of bickering
28. My other little sister who has fallen away right now but who, I believe, is a Christian
29. My little brother who still gives me hugs and kisses even at the age of 13!
30. My dad who has done so much for me and who has made my mum so happy
31. My mum for bringing me up in a difficult situation and for the real friendship we share
32. The experience of growing up in an non-Christian family
33. God's grace in bringing both of my parents to him through the preaching of a godly minster
34. The joy of now sharing in Christian fellowship with my parents
35. The time to sit and think about these things
36. The pre-school Sunday school and all their enthusiasm and questions
37. Email and the Internet so I can keep in touch with friends all over the world
38. The hospitality of a wonderful woman in welcoming me into her family home
39. The safe delivery of a new baby today after my friend's sister had a 55 hour labour
40. The death of a dear saint this morning, knowing that she is now in glory with Christ
41. Music and the skill of musicians
42. Cameras to capture moments of life forever

Labels: faith