‘The most evident token and apparent sign of true wisdom is a constant and unconstrained rejoicing.’ – Michel De Montaigne

Here are my 39 things for the week – based on the next 13 challenges of Ann Voskamp’s May Joy Dare:

 

A gift picked up, put away, put back:

742 Bargains at a fête

743 Clean dry dishes from the rack to the cupboard

744 The boys putting paints and crayons back in their craft crate

 

3 gifts found in his Word:

745 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

746 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 6:4

747 What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? 1 Corinthians 4:7

 

A gift in a box, a bag, a book:

748 Pineapple juice

749 Scott’s (accidentally-dirtied-during-potty-training) undies washed and dried and in a bag before I even picked him up from my sister

750 Smell of old pages

 

3 gifts unexpected:

751 Tagged in a post

752 Mother’s Day croissants and coffee in bed

753 Traffic easing on the N1

 

3 gifts from my childhood:

754 Singing Cliff Richard songs with my sisters in the back of the kombi

755 My Dad coming home at 5 o’clock – jumping with us on the trampoline

756 My Mom bringing us fresh avo sandwiches before netball matches

 

A gift sweet, sour, salty:

757 Caramel cupcakes

758 Sour worms

759 NikNaks

 

3 gifts found in little people:

760 Unconditional, ready forgiveness

761 Unblemished innocence

762 Uncompromised wonder

 

3 gifts that made me laugh:

763 This

764 This

765 And this

 

3 gifts found in community:

766 Hot meals when babies are born

767 Hot showers when geysers burst

768 Hot dogs with our cell group – sans the guilt and judgment that clings to processed, preservative-ridden food

 

A gift in a plate, pot, package:

769 Crumbed mushrooms at a new restaurant down the road

770 Couscous fluffy, steaming

771 Cookies from Scott’s teacher

 

3 gifts hard giving thanks for:

772 Migraines – to be not ‘laid aside by illness’ – but rather ‘called aside for stillness.’ (Elizabeth Elliot)

773 Bus strikes

774 Lola digging up the same patch of lawn

 

A gift worn, white, whispered:

775 Old gold wedding rings on gnarled fingers still in love

776 My African boys marvelling at snow on Planet Earth DVDs

777 ‘Thank you Mommy.’ Scott in the night when I go to him.

 

3 gifts found in church:

778 Freedom

779 Vision

780 Unveiled faces

  

 

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