Almost a week before Christmas, we were sitting at the dining room table at Keith’s parents’ house.
We were enjoying the company of their friends at a small dinner party.
My four little ones were relishing their place as the life of the party.
Compliments were flowing for the delicious spread of food my mother in law prepared.
And then MC spoke up.
She said with such pride in her voice, “Sometimes my mommy makes us ice water! She puts three pieces of ice in a glass of water and it’s really good!”
We all laughed at her words.
Ice water?
How can anyone be so impressed with ice water?
To her it was a description of love…of a treat given to her by her mommy.
By me.
I tucked those pride filled words of hers into my heart to remember for as long as I can remember.
I want to do the same as she just did.
I want to enjoy the simple and find delight in the everyday simplicities of life.
I want to offer thanks for the smallest things such as a glass of ice water just as my five year old did.
Lately I’ve become engrossed by reading One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp and her words are piercing my soul.
As I’m reading, I’m praying.
I’m praying for change.
Change to life a life of thankfulness.
With the new year, I am going to join her in sharing my own list of gratitudes….of the things that I am thankful for. It is my goal to reach one thousand gifts and beyond as I strive to be thankful for the smallest the simplest of blessings.
I’ll be sharing these on Mondays and I would love to have you join me here to celebrate life, simplicity, and thankfulness.
jenn perry says
awesome! i love how God uses my kids to show me moments i would have otherwise missed! the simple things = they are what matter most. 🙂
so glad to *meet* you! i’m hopping from the hiphomeschool.
be blessed!
Jennifer@GDWJ says
Children help us see gifts in the simplest of things, don’t they?
Like ice water … and beds … and roofs … and snow … and peanut butter …
Reading your post today, I thought of the words of Christ Jesus in Matthew 10:
“Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice.” (The Message)
God bless you in 2011,
Jennifer Dukes Lee
Contributing Editor @ The High Calling
Michelle says
Aaww! That is so precious! I think children can tell when something as simple as ice water is given in a spirit of love!
Susan Evans says
How wonderful to be grateful for the small things in life! (That ice water looks good. Maybe I’m thirsty…)
Gina says
That is so cute! It sure makes you realize that sometimes even the little things can mean so much!
Joy says
How precious! It is the little things that sometimes mean the most. I have been counting my blessings for a few months now. Amazing the little things that you can see when you really look. Thanks for joining in with the Hip Homeschool Hop.
dthaase says
I came across your site through the homeschool hop and thought I would share a creative writing site for kids (and adults) that I have just set up – come and see the “I Wonder Chronicles for literacy and creativity” – use the prompts and add to the wonder!
more here:
http://dthaase-lines.blogspot.com/p/wonder.html
Sherry says
How precious! 🙂
visiting from the hop.
LifeAtTheCircus says
What a great reminder for us all to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving as we begin this new year! As I looked at that picture of water, I couldn’t help but think of all those in the world who don’t have clean water to drink!
melissa stover says
this was so sweet. thanks for linking me here. i’m going to subscribe so i can keep up with you. beautiful blog!
Midlife Army Wife says
That is beautiful! One of my goals is to always see life through my daughter’s eyes. Children appreciate the beauty in such simple things that we take for granted. Oh, to be like a child!