I’ve been thinking a lot about this day. A year ago, I started counting my blessings (two days late) with the rest of Facebook, in the annual November “30 days of Thankfulness.” When it was over on the 30th, I got an email from my friend Lynne, asking me if I would consider continuing to post.
I was in kind of a strange place then, and I’d never written every single day, but the month’s focus on thankfulness was already changing my heart. I decided to give it a try, and committed to a full year of daily posts.
So, here I am, this last day of the year. And it finds me different, eyes opened more fully, heart trained for the unexpected blessings found in the everyday. They’re everywhere, all around us, aren’t they? Are you starting to see them, too? I hope so, because you are among the biggest of the gifts of this year. Your interest and encouragement, your stories that you’ve shared with me, and the burdens you’ve allowed me to bear alongside you, have bowled me over.
Last night, I tucked Lilli into bed, and we sang our usual repertoire of songs, but when they were through, she said, “One more, Mimmie.” Then she started this one on her own…
“I love you. You love me. We’re a happy family, with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you. Won’t you say you love me too?”
That right there? It’s my song to you, on this last day. We ARE a family, you and I, and my heart is full of love for each of you, whether I know you as a reader or not. Our ties are deeper than natural blood…we are bound together by the supernatural blood of a Savior. Thank you for blessing me so.
Oh, and one more thing…would you do me a favor? Would you consider joining me for another year?
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5 ESV
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:14-16 ESV