Going forth with open hands

As mentioned, I have enjoyed reading and being challenged through the book, "One Thousand Gifts". I am a processor, and often use poetry and song to process/reflect/work through what God is teaching me. So here are the lyrics I wrote in response to this book and also to the messages that Lisa VanRyn gave at Women's Retreat:

Open Hands, Open Life

"Open hands, thankful heart- ready for what You'll impart
I trust You're good, among flower and thorn
I receive with joy as grace adorns

Open life, humbled soul- broken pieces becoming whole
I know You're near, among peak and cleft
I offer worship with given breath

I'm seeing, now knowing- awakened to the morning
Slowly, I'm growing- leaving fear and soaring

Counting beauty all around- bowing knees upon the ground
I see You're here, among gift and need
I'm submitted to Your wise lead

I'm trusting Your keeping- You're patient with my pleadings
I'm hoping and leaping- released by Your leading

Open hands, thankful heart- ready for what You'll impart.
I trust You're good, among flower and thorn
I receive with joy as grace as adorns."

In the presence of radiant grace

I finished reading, "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp last week. Wow, God is really using this book to speak to me, teach me, correct me, etc. Thank you Ann for writing it and sharing your life and struggles and triumphs with us. Some of the things I have started chewing on are: slow down be present and really live; count your blessings- keep track of God's abundant blessings, His love daily shown in incredible ways; live with open hands- trusting what God will put in or take out of them.
So I am making my 1000 gifts list, here are just a few of them.

#7 Picking out just the right name for a child- our children- a blessing, a charge, a prayer, a
hope, a crown.

#11 Loose leaf tea- pumpkin spice, lime free tea pot, a seasonal treat, an invitation to sit, to
soak, to slow; to breathe, to enjoy, to be.

#80 The scent of concord grapes on vine; sweet, fragrant...picking grapes at local orchard on an
overcast, rainy day- 5 gallon bucket for $4.00...juicy, seedy...grape juice fresh, pressed 12
jars canned. You are vine, we are branches; You produce the fruit through us.

#83 Sheep on hillside, grazing on green fields, reminder of Our Shepherd...Overseer of our
souls.