TheThankful List - Violet Nesdoly

"Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; And to You the vow shall be performed." Psalm 65:1

Do you make lists?

I do. Lists to remind me of what needs to be done, organize my thoughts, help me with shopping and packing, keep me on track when I give a talk or speech ...

Psalm 65 is David's list of praise and thankfulness to God. He praises God for:

1. Hearing and answering prayers (Psalm 65:2)
2. Providing atonement / forgiveness for sin (Psalm 65:3).
3. Choosing people to come near to Him (Psalm 65:4).
4. Being approachable (Psalm 65:4).
5. The temple (Psalm 65:4).
6. The joy and satisfaction of living in God's presence (Psalm 65:4).
7. The way God inspires confidence (implied is the need to remember ways God has come through for him in the past) (Psalm 65:5).
8. God's power illustrated in nature — the grandeur of mountains, God's ability to calm physical and people storms (Psalm 65:6-7).
9. That He is visible and available to all on earth (Psalm 65:8).
10. The reliability of day and night (Psalm 65:8).
11. God's nourishment of the earth with rain (Psalm 65:9-10)
12. An abundant harvest (Psalm 65:11-12).
13. The beauty of a pastoral scene (Psalm 65:13).

David's list is a good example of one way we can set the tone of the day by focusing on God's gifts to us. Instead of dwelling on what's wrong with life, what we dread, fear, or regret, let's focus on the good stuff.

Canadian writer Ann Voskamp began an initiative some years ago to encourage everyday gratefulness.  She challenges readers to, over time, list 1000 gifts which they jot down and share with others. These can be things as small as the comforting taste of bread and butter, to life-changing events like the safe birth of a baby.  Bloggers from around the world come together on A Holy Experience (Ann's blog) every Monday to share links to their writings of gratitude. Join in the conversation in Ann's Gratitude Community on Facebook. Though I finished my 1000 gifts project some time ago, I found listing things for which I am grateful such a powerful focus-changer I have continued the practice privately. Why don't you give it a try.

Ann's book One Thousand Gifts released in January 2011 and continues to be a best-seller.

- Violet Nesdoly (Adapted from "The power of a list" - first posted on Other Food: daily devos)

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Website: www.violetnesdoly.com

Pressured? Janis Cox

Photo by Alan Cleaver

I don’t know about you but I find sometimes things crash down on me one after the other. I see a calm coming off in the distance but by the time I get there it has become a rushing current. As I get swept downstream, I try to grab the river branches – something anything to cling to. Stop the movement – let me sit still please.

How did I get myself into this position? Jesus is a Man of peace. He teaches us to always be at peace, doesn’t He?

Then I remember He felt the pressures, too. Picture Him teaching inside a small home with a thatched roof, so crowded that people are straining to listen from outside. Then into His midst comes a man on a mat dropped through the roof by his friends. That must have interrupted His train of thought. But no – He definitely uses the moment to bless the man and show the others how faith can bring about healing.

“They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven”” (Mark 2:2-5 NIV).

Now I realize it is not about what is going on in my life that can have a negative affect on me – it is the way I react to it. If I see everything as a moment from God I can better attend to what is happening to me, in that time.

The best book I have read and studied is One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. If you find yourself straining against circumstances, frustrated where you are – read this book. You will find that we can find blessings in every situation – good and bad, busy and calm. We can find joy in the midst of every storm.

If we look to Jesus at all times, then His presence can bring us joy every minute.

As we come into the Easter season – let us take the time to look for the joys and blessings that God gives us. Thank Him for little things and you will feel a joy and peace that will extend to all those around you.

Happy Easter. He has risen. He is risen indeed.

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan is working on a couple children’s books in which she is also the watercolour illustrator. To connect - email Jan.