Abundance

One of my New Years resolutions was to start an "Abundance List".  The way the list would work is that at the end of each day I would write down one thing that I felt that was a gift of abundance from the Lord.  I keep this list on an index card that sits on top of my  bedroom bookcase.  I pass this bookcase numerous times throughout the day- when I make the bed, when I chase William away from the radiator that sits next to it, and when I use the mirror above it to put my make-up on.  I chose this spot because each time I see the list, even in passing, it helps to remind me of how truly blessed I am.  I believe there are days that all of us need a little reminding of God's abundant love for us... especially me.  I came up with this resolution because during most of 2008 I suffered from postpartum depression which forced me to be extremely narrow-minded.  I was unable to veer from the day-by-day, and was stuck in a world of pessimism.  I only knew how to get up, nurse William, bathe William, nurse William, put William down for a nap, nap myself, nurse William again... I think you get the idea.  Don't get me wrong, I never for a minute regretted the life I chose to have, nor was I sad... I just didn't have the energy to do anything that wasn't on my list of "necessities".  As I sought help, and allowed myself to follow the doctor's orders and start on an anti-depressant, I was slowly able to see how much of life's little pleasures I was missing out on.  Some days I would be so proud of myself just for having the energy to take William on a walk around the block rather than curl up in bed with him for a 2 hour nap.  That, my friends, is a gift of abundance.   I looked up the definition of abundance in the dictionary and I had to smile as I read, "affluence; wealth: the enjoyment of abundance".  Instead of looking at my checking account for signs of wealth (which only turned out to be a disappointment), I have now decided to look on my bookcase, at a small pink polka-dotted index card.  Thank you, Jesus, for helping me see the enjoyment of abundance.

Abundance is.....

The sound of laughter coming from your child 1/21