11.21.2011

simple gratitude letter...

When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs? ~G.K. Chesterton

what G.K.Chesterton told me through this quote was that gratitude is simple and comes from the most basic needs of this life...how I need to remind myself of this fact daily....
that the most basic needs are what we need to thank God for
even legs

or in my kitchen....peppers


As I am stringing up the last of the peppers that we covered under our makeshift frost protector, I can't help but look at all the colors and variety now hanging down like jewels from our kitchen windows...

out the window it certainly looks like winter with branches bare, but as the trees loose their leaves and fall to the ground to blanket and help protect the flower beds below with their natural mulch: gratitude is there

gratitude is there in the morning with cutting boards waiting at the ready
gratitude is there with a clean kitchen and my tea kettle whistling


as Chesterton again had said: "Gratitude is the mother of all the virtues."
from gratitude...it all starts.....all other things flow......and all this week will be a self-enhancing inward journey for myself to find more and more gratitude amongst my life here on the farm.......



in order to say 'thank you' properly, we have to first slow down and figure out how we would like to thank our Creator.....for our life....

let's start with a thank you letter.....

there is too much going on in my head at most times, but if I slow down and take out some writing paper (nothing fancy), I can begin to open up my mind to take in all that is going on....start the process of gratitude

today I will be starting that letter to Him

advent is right around the corner and I want to be fully prepared for the feast!!  a lot to plan, yes, but if I break it up into small bits (starting with a thank you letter), more grace...more joy will follow

peace + blessings,

12 comments:

  1. Oh yes I am so thankful for all our blessings the little gifts that make me smile...today the crisp blue sky and frost on the rooftops...beauty all around me...ox

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  2. That was such a precious post. If we start thanking God for all our blessings, we will truly be in constant prayer. We'll never run out of things to be thankful for.

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  3. You are such a good and positive influence on me, do you realize that?
    Oh, that we only lived closer, my beautiful, humble, inspirational sister in Christ!

    Anne

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  4. again, I feel blessed to hear your words...
    I volunteered at the heart ministry center at our church yesterday to give coats to homeless families. 1400 families showed up and I have never felt or seen as much gratitude as I did yesterday morning. I was overcome when I walked into my warm home thinking about all I have and so many wonderful people were just grateful just to have a coat.
    Grace and joy will follow.....

    Have a beautiful Thanksgiving ~ xo
    Sarah

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  5. Gratitude makes virtue such a happy thing~

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  6. I feel so grateful for my life, my family, my home. I try never to consider them as obvious: they're not. I am a lucky girl and so I am grateful.
    I am grateful to know a woman like you who always inspires me.

    Thank you for this precious post.
    I love your peppers.

    Your friend (who misses you!)
    Fra

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  7. So, beautiful. This year I am really looking forward and preparing myself for Advent like never before. Many things have ocurred in my life this year and so I am more aware about the gratitude I have for everything.

    Maria @ A Platter of Figs

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  8. beautiful post anne marie. gratitude...one simple word that means so much. xo!!

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  9. Hello Anne Mary,

    G.K.Chesterton brilliant!his book are so brilliant!.
    sometimes I wonder how so amazing read or knowing the Conversion of somebody when they found the 'Truth'.The real faith.
    From those we learn how to gratitude to 'Him' in everything...
    especially salvation for our soul.

    xoxo
    Ayu

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  10. Sorry Anne Marie, I had mistaken wrote Mary instead of Marie.

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  11. Your opening quote really struck a chord with me, Anne-Marie. As much as I hate my "cankles", I am grateful to have good, strong legs. Because when I look at my two nephews who have muscular dystrophy and are spending their lives in wheelchairs....I am grateful for what God has blessed me with. Thank you for your continued spiritual influence in my life, sweetie. You are a blessing to me!

    xoxo laurie

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  12. Like you, I find myself most thankful for the little things that are quite big when I consider them.

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