The concept of gratitude first entered my life several years ago when I still watched Oprah and heard her rave about a book entitled Simple Abundance.
Like everyone else at the time, I rushed my early-twenty-something self out to Barnes and Noble and dug right in.
The concept was to journal at least five “gratitudes” each day – the idea being that a grateful heart is a thankful heart and a thankful heart is a joyful heart.
I’m not sure if there is much God in Simple Abundance – it’s been so long since I’ve read it that I really don’t remember. I do, however, recall that I stuck with it for a while but for reasons unknown, I shelved it and moved on.
As the concept of gratitude has washed into the shore of my life yet again, many variables have changed. I’m 37 years old. I have been married and divorced. I have become a Christian. I have remarried a good man and produced three healthy and beautiful children.
There’s so much to be grateful FOR.
And yet.
I think I might be one of the most ungrateful people I know.
It wasn’t until I started to read Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts (author of the blog that sponsors “Multitude Mondays”) that I realized how very ungrateful I really am, how I look at what is lacking instead of what is not, how I possess a sense of entitlement as if I deserve everything to be easy and go along just swimmingly.
I suspect I’m not alone for we live in a culture that conveys “more is more”, that tells us we should all just “charge it”, that tries to make us believe that we do actually need the $200 eye cream or build a million dollar home to be accepted.
While reading Ann’s book, I was riveted by the idea that gratitude produces trust in God and trust in God produces pure and utter joy.
Could it really be that simple?
And the more I reflect on this one humble line of words, the more I realize that of course it is.
If we are open to seeing the gifts we are granted each day, even if those days are filled with mostly pain and despair, aren’t we still seeing God’s blessings? The gifts given just to us though it’s our choice to open them or keep them in the box?
I’ve read that even in the nightmare of World War II’s concentration camps, there were those still finding gratitude in a half-slice of bread. The song of a bird. A baby’s smile.
For it’s when we see the good and simple truths of what we are given each day that we learn to trust our beautiful God. And the deeper we trust Him, the more able we are to find that pure and honest joy.
I know of the naysayers’ retort. “If your God is good, why does He allow things like World War II to happen in the first place?”
Oh, if I only had a dollar for each time I’ve heard this.
God doesn’t “make” those things happen but He will indeed create good from it. He will restore our crown of ashes to a crown of beauty.
It’s what we choose to see that really matters. It’s the gratitude.
I love Ann’s book so much that I am going to give a copy away this week – I want to get her book in as many hands as possible.
I also want to celebrate those of you who consistently read the random musings of my heart and have supported me through Facebook and Twitter. SO, to enter:
1. Leave a comment telling me something you are grateful for RIGHT NOW AT THIS MOMENT. (1 entry)
2. Like me on Facebook and come back and let me know you did so the random generator will count you again! (one extra entry)
3. Follow me on Twitter – my handle is nataliesnapp. Come back and tell me you did for our friend the random generator! (one extra entry)
4. Start looking at the good around you instead of the not-so-good. Come back and tell me about it later in the week (one extra entry)
I will random generate on Thursday night at 10 p.m. DST!
On this Multitude Monday, I am so thankful for:
291. God’s protection over a car accident that could have had a tragic outcome (more on this next week!)
292. My rock and refuge in strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
293. The good shepherd that leads his lambs back to the right path when they stray
294. A husband that gives abundant grace – even when I rip his pants. (more on this later, too!)
295. A little girl who is about to turn six and wants an iPod speaker dock.
296. A sensitive mama-heart that wants to stop the clock but knows she must also let-go a bit.
297. Friends that help me work my mom-mobile free from our snow-covered driveway and realize that I’m stuck because my parking break was on. And then they laugh.
298. Courage to get out of the boat.
299. Courage to say “Would love to, but can’t”.
300. Sawyers new recipe idea: “Mama, I want to make chicken bars. You put ’em in the crock-pot and cover them in ketchup and ranch dressing.” Yes. We do a lot of crock-potting at our house. I love the innocence of a three year old boy.
May you find gratitude in even the small things. May you then learn to trust a very good God. May you then experience that abundant joy that is freely-given to those who lay their whole heart in the palm of His hands.
Read the first chapter of One Thousand Gifts here
Join the One Thousand Gifts book club at (in)courage here! (Author interview included!)
This week is about to induce panic attacks within my soul. The calendar is too full and a birthday is to be celebrated and I’m the only mommy around this joint. I’m merging One Thousand Gifts with my sweet girls at Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood…
I’m grateful that I am able to crawl into a warm bed, between my hubby and my doggie, and fall asleep peacefully knowing that my Amazing God has a plan in mind just for me!!! =)
I am grateful that I have the kind of Mom that I can talk to on the phone for an hour every day and not run out of things to say.
I follow Mommy on Fire on Facebook.
I follow you on Twitter too! :)
Everything in my life seems totally out of control right now. I mean really.
I’m thankful for a sign I saw that said only “God is in control”.
I needed desperately to be reminded of that and I’m trying to believe it.
And I’m thankful I ran into this website/blog. I’m not even really sure how that happened now that I think of it.
I like you on fb but I don’t have twitter. :(
I remember Simple Abundance – in fact I gave that book for Christmas 1996 or 1997 to all of my female relatives! I can tell you that I am awake so late tonight because of my youngest daughter’s sleep patterns – but, I am grateful for our rocking time and her sweet slumber in my arms. Now…if only it will last all night :)!
I’m thankful that we had a few good years together as children. Does the random generator recognize genuine compliments or will that just be seen as sucking up? :)
I am also insanely grateful for a body that allows me to get up insanely early and encourage others toward their spiritual and physical goals. Love my boot campers!
Been a fb fan for a long time. Does this count??
You had an accident?? Are you all okay? AND…what’s also selfishly going through my mind…Are we still going to be able to meet up?? HAHAHA…at least I’m honest!
I have the book…so don’t put me in the generator…I’m working my way through…I sometimes get tangled in her writing style…it’s very “dreamy” and I’m careful as a rule to not get sucked up in pretty words but to really read/understand/discern what I’m reading! HA!
And now I follow you on Twitter. Not that I get twitter, cause I don’t.
I am grateful for God giving us family! Isn’t it a neat thing to have people just love you because they are related to you? I know this sounds so plain or juvenile, but the message speaks volumes to me!
I am grateful at this moment to have been given the gift to wake up early and have a heater to make our home toasty warm before the family gets up. Thanks for the chance, Natalie!
Ok, you totally don’t have to enter me in the drawing since I just wanted to comment on Sawyer’s new recipe. He is hilarious!!! He can come and live with Brian and I because we (ok, I) use the crock pot all.the.time. Those sweet kids of yours make my heart melt. Too stinkin’ cute.
I am so glad you’re okay! I did not know there was an accident…eek. I will try to get details from my mom. Praying for you all this week! xo
Reading this book is producing the same results in me. It is convicting and yet encouraging at the same time, which is totally a work of the Holy Spirit. I am sucha selfish person… and a control freak. God is so beautifully using Ann to transform my heart and mind. How can I not be a better person for reading it?
I would love to win this for my friend, Cari.
I like you on FB.
I follow you on Twitter.
I am so grateful for the solid relationship I have with my husband. I am starting to realize that this is something to truly treasure, as not all couples have it. I think I have been taking it for granted.
I am thankful for a heater keeping me warm in my office!
Just “liked” you :)
I am thankful for the snuggles I get from a sick baby. Even if it means I don’t shower for two days, stay up until 3am with her, or have a house that is beyond messy. Her sweet snuggles…a blessing.
I already “like” you on FB. :)
Grateful for a godly Freshman son who serves his mama breakfast in bed. Breakfast = 2 pieces of bacon, 1 scrambled, & 1 fried egg!
I’m thankful for a loving, forgiving, and generous husband by my side, our precious children, and for a God who loves me more than I can even imagine. For family and friends…
This book sounds really good.
I liked your page on Facebook. :)
I’m following you on Twitter now. :)
I LOVE you on fb! ;)
tweeter you!
Right this minute, I’m grateful that Christine’s fever has broken, even if it’s only temporary (she’s been running at 102.5 for over a day now, and that’s with medication). Heading to the doctor this afternoon…
After my experience with my son Richard, I try to think a lot more about being grateful for the simple things in my life. Now, that doesn’t always happen in the daily scheme of things, but I try to put it into practice as much as I can. And I try to pass along that same idea to my fiercely independent children who are growing up in this mass-market culture of “you’re not good enough unless you own what we’re selling” mentality. There are days when I feel like I don’t reach them at all, and then I see glimmers that they get it on others. All the more reason to keep praying over them. :)
Thanks as always for sharing your heart, my dear friend, and for allowing us to share ours as well. :)
And I’ve “liked” you on Facebook for a while now (and even longer in person). :) :)
And I’m laughing because I don’t have a phone that tweets, and yet, I have a crew of people who “follow” me on twitter (don’t know that I’ve ever posted anything on there for them to read). But now, I follow you on there (sort of). :)
I have the book, Natalie, so no need for putting me in the give-away, but I understand your desire to get everyone to read the book. It’s number one on my list for the summer book club I lead, because it’s just that good. I love it, and can’t even let my copy out because I want to be able to re-read what I’ve underline.
Gratitude. It really is that simple, isn’t it? I once heard a great response to “Why does God allow bad things to good people?” The answer, “Is anyone REALLY good? And who’s to say those things are truly bad?” In God’s capable hands, He is able to make it ALL good. And that’s something to be thankful for.
(Oh -and glad to know there was a happy outcome to an accident this week. Eat your chicken bars and rejoice!)
Today, I am so grateful to not be in the cold of Indiana and instead watching my beautiful daughter doing hula dances in her bathing suit at 9:30 am as she basks in the sunshine of sunny S. California.
Natalie, I’m so with you on heart babthis. I should be so much more grateful but I’m not. Check out my thoughts on why in my last blog entry::I heart heart babies.
I am thankful for all the wonderful neighbors that helped us dig out after the recent snow storm! They made more of a difference than they can possibly realize.
I am grateful for a 4 month old who is already showing her mommy that she already knows what she likes and doesn’t like. She won’t give into mommy without a fight and will smile at me when I am feeling discouraged.
I am grateful for her 4 year old sister who cries when she did to show mommy and daddy how much she is concerned about her little sister, too.
I have liked you at Facebook, but already added you on Twitter. :-)
I “liked” you on facebook :)
I’m grateful that I have fibromyalgia. Can’t tell you exactly why, but I trust God implicitly, and know he wants what’s best for me, so I’m thankful.
I am thankful I am alive! Ann’s video triggered a memory where I was VERY CLOSE to dying when I was four…and there are many others, almost-dying moments…so breath is grace today!
I liked you on Facebook!
I am thankful that when I sit down to choose “just one” thing I am grateful for…so many thoughts pop into my mind that it is hard to choose just one! (But if I must….) I am gratedul for the beautiful and trusting relationship I see blossom and grow everyday between my two oldest sons (ages 3 and 4) despite their differences and disagreements.
I am already a FB fan!
I am following on twitter now. I posted a tweet about your blog post, too. Thank you for sharing this book!
I am grateful for all my bloggy sisters, and just so ya know, I see you as one of the MOST grateful people I know! you always list what you are grateful for, and at least you list it. If you list it, your heart will follow. I’m not even listing it yet, LOL!
So Ann’s book arrived today. I am clapping my hands excited. If you were here, you would also hear a shrill squeal.
I am grateful for second chances.
I’m grateful for trial and testing because I know it’s God’s way of growing me and I’m grateful for glimpses of that growth now and again!
What a beautiful list!
I am grateful that even though I fail to appreciate so many of God’s daily blessings, that He still sends them my way.
I now follow you on Facebook. :)
Following on Twitter too.