I write this web log as a means to share more Abundant Gifts type stories, keep you posted on the kinds of “gifts†God is giving me—from recipes to the most profound “disguised gifts†that only become apparent as gifts later.
I may also pass on news of interesting books, articles, other sites, even products that I believe will add in some way to the abundance in your life. Anything that has enriched my life in some way, that I believe will enrich yours also, will show up here.
Feel free to post comments, share your stories, pass on links of your own to anything that has felt like a gift to you. My dream is that this virtual space will become a community where people share the many-splendored gifts that a generous God lavishes onto their lives.
Abundant blessings,
Diane
Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
Hi Diane – I love your blog AND your book. The book has absolutely brought Abundant Gifts to me and I know yur blog will do the same.
Cathy
Thanks, Cathy!
Diane
Hi Diane,
I agree … your blog looks great! May you reach many people who will be enriched by the special brand of wisdom you dispense! You already know I’m a huge fan of your book, “Abundant Gifts.”
In keeping with your “disguised gifts” theme, I’d like to share the following e-mail I just received:
I am thankful …
for the wife who says “It’s hot dogs tonightâ€
because she’s home with me
and not out with someone else
For the husband, who is on the sofa
being a couch potato
because he’s home with me
and not out at bars
For the teenager, who is complaining about doing dishes
because it means she’s at home
not on the streets
For the taxes I pay
because it means
I’m employed or earning money
For the mess to clean after a party
Bbcause it means I have been surrounded by friends
For the clothes that fit a little too snug
because it means I have enough to eat
For my shadow that watches me work
because it means I’m out in the sunshine
For a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning,
and gutters that need fixing
because it means I have a home
For all the complaining I hear about the government
because it means we have freedom of speech
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot
because it means I’m capable of walking
and I’ve been blessed with transportation
For my huge heating bill
because it means I am warm
For the lady behind me in church
who sings off-key
because it means I can hear
For the pile of laundry and ironing
because it means I have clothes to wear
For the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day
because it means I’ve been capable of working hard
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours
because it means I’m alive
And finally for too much e-mail
because it means I have friends who are thinking of me
Blessings,
Maria
Diane,
My youngest, who is 4 yrs. old, asked me as we’re driving down the road, “Mom, is God in control of everything?”
My response: “Yes, honey. Everything.”
Lex: “The car?”
Me: “Yes. Everything.”
Lex: “The clouds?”
Me: “Yes.”
Lex: “That car…it just went by…?”
Me: “Yes. EVERYTHING.”
Lex: “The radio…IN THE car?”
I was listening to a CHRISTIAN radio station, great program; at this point I am getting annoyed at the interruptions.
Me: “Always. He is always in control. The radio, well…he is control of the person using the radio. The person sending the radio station. The ability of the radio signal. Lexie, He is control of everything.”
I went back to listening to the important program, deeply affecting my life!
Lex: “….Moooom…everything?”…..
Me: silent (I am listening to an important program.)
Lex: “Mom, He couldn’t of been in control of Papaw – he died.”
This was my grandfather, the first of my four grandparents to die. I think all of my four children were affected deeply by watching me grieve. Now, I knew to give her more attention. 🙂
Me: “Of course He was in control. That’s why God took Papaw to be in heaven with Him!”
Lex: “But, it made G.G. so sad!”
G.G. is my Grandma.
Me: “G.G. knows that Papaw is with Jesus, that makes her happy, in the end, so God IS in control.”
Lex: (very angry voice) “G.G. would be much happier if Papaw were with H E R!!!”
I carried on with a ‘canned’ answer to happiness, the meaning of being in heaven with God because of belief in His precious Son -our Savior. Adult answers. Their was much silence. I returned to listening to the radio.
Lexie breaks into a beautiful, made up song. She spent the rest of the ride home and most of the afternoon convincing me (and anyone else) that Jesus rhymes with God.
At the end of the day, I knew this was more than an abundant blessing. My 4 year old, knows how to explain part of the trinity! Thank you, Diane. You help me to count these as blessings! Not interruptions to my day.
Shari
Thanks, Shari and Maria, for sharing these inspiratiomal reminders. They came at a good time for me.
In fact, here’s a quote I just read this morning, along similar lines:
“My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, until I discovered the interruptons were my work.” This from Henri Nouwen, near the end of his life.
Seems the past several months have been nothing but interruptions to what I thought was my work. This morning, one email rearranged my whole day. But, because God gave me the gift of this quote before that interruption, I am at perfect peace that this new direction is the work he has for me today.
Diane, I hardly ever find time to read, but I just wanted to let you know I am glad I took the time today to read your blog. I especially like the “cosmic” analogy to giving birth that the experience of your new book has reminded you of. You always have a way of seeing the profound in the everyday, and your words are a great encouragement to tired moms like me. Sometimes it seems like everyday is the same, laundry, cleaning and cooking. But we’re all on a “mission from God”, and it really helps if we can sit back, reflect and realize this once in awhile!
Love ya,
Deb
Thanks for posting, Debbie!
I know motherhood seems to be drudgery 90 percent of the time. We need to remind ourselves often that all the little things add up to a big bonus–character building in our children, giving them a sense of security, modeling how to live and love.
Janet Penley says moms are “peace-time soldiers,” equipping children to go out and win the battles of life. I like that.
–Diane
Hi people
As a fresh abundantgiftsblog.com user i just wanted to say hello to everyone else who uses this bbs 😉