One Thousand Gifts

Inspired by a Canadian farmers wife: (begun 2/21/11)

1. For a bride who has loved me for 26 years
2. for a God who has loved me from eternity
3. for the joy of a spring rain.
4. for the wonder of my children
5. for sleep and a new day filled with grace.
6. for a low maintenance wife who delights in the Lord.
7. for black squirrels with red tails.
8. for central Michigan woods and Amish enclaves
9. for the glory of blue behind a white cloud
10. for sunlight on a table 5/7/11
11. for books and those who write them 5/7
12. for wind high in the trees 5/31
13. for wild turkeys in the woods 5/31
14. for black squirrels with red tails 5 /31
    for a mother’s love for her son 6/2
15. for sunshine on a prayer book reminding me what is important 6/13
16. for conversations with adult children that evidence Christ at work 7/5
17. for wild black berries on a walking path 7/7
18. for a son who fights the good fight for purity 7/7
19. for a wife who can be silly and beautiful 7/7
20. for the never-exhausted-glory of the gospel 7/7
21. for a wife who always says yes to proof-reading my work 7/17
22. for a son who cuts the lawn when I am away 7/17
23. for bright classmates to challeng. e my soul 7/18
24. for a wife who loves the color blue 8/9
25. for new niece Cally Ann 8/9
26. for growing grass and coming friends 8/9
27. for cell phones and dropped calls 8/15
28. for children 8?15
29. for friends who love 8/15
30. for a wife whose smile brightens a room 8/15
31. for phone conversations with my bride 8/29
32. for Ann’s blog chasing me to the word of God 8/29
33. for the joy of a summer-ending-fall-coming day 8/29
34. for a cat bearing its belly 8/29
35. for a 35 lb bike to take on 10 mile rides 8/29
36. for the wisdom of my bride, the lovely Stephnie 8/29
37. for a bride safely home from a visit to mom 9/5
38. for the confusing wonders of Ezekiel 9/5
39. for the smell of Fall in the air 9/5
40. for coffee 9/5
41. for women like my wife and daughters in the world 9/19
42. for the joys of being useful to God 9/19
43. for Canadian air and the smell of approaching Fall 9/19
44. for the glory of being “in Christ” 10/25
45. for a bride who likes chocolate 10/25
46. for a tabby cat who loves affection 10/25
47. for daughters and sons who walk with Jesus 10/25
48. for young men who want to change the world 10/31
49. for Fall days warm enough to ride a bike 10/31
50. for sons who call their father’s for help 10/31
51. for daughter’s and son-in-laws who bake sourdough bread 12/2
52. for blankets on cold days 12/2
53. for cats with belly’s up and plaintive meows 12/2
54. for the convicting work of the Spirit 12/2
55. for the illuminating work of the Spirit in the heart of seekers 12/2
56. for the power of the word of God 12/2
57. for a wife who prays 12/31
58. for books found 12/31
59. for challenging opportunities 12/31
60. for gentleness of the neighbor’s dogs 12/31
61. for new opportunities to preach the word of God 1/25/12
62. for a bride who continues to love me and Jesus 1/25/12
63. for hot chocolate in a big mug 1/25/12
64. for the wonder of being a part of God’s family 1/25/12
65. for all my children in the same place for a weekend 5/28/12