#bethegift

“In this day, this season, miracles will grow within, unfurl, bear fruit. And the heart that makes time and space for Him to come will be a glorious place. A place of sheer, radiant defiance in the face of a world careening mad and stressed. Because each day of Advent, we will actively wait. We will wait know that the remaking of everything has already begun.”~~ Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Story of Christmas 🎄✨❤️ #bokeh_addicts #bokeh_kings #bokeh_bliss #bethegift #tv_closeup #tv_lifestyle #tv_retro #tv_stilllife #stilllife_perfection #still_life_gallery #heart_imprint #vzcomacro #ig_dynamic #global_ladies #snap_ish #thegreatestgift #crazy4christmasdecor #creativelifehappylife #thehappynow #9vaga_shabbysoft9 #pocket_dof #pocket_family_member #pocket_home #dof_brilliance #everything_imaginable

@annvoskamp …you're giving even when you're exhausted, & you're loving large — & it doesn't matter what anyone else says: *THAT* is success: Success is simply faithfulness. Success is not giving up. Success is just showing up. Success is simply bending down & serving another. "Want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant." Matthew23:11MSG And it's true...when life looms large — small acts of grace can erupt as the greatest change in another place. He’s in you and makes you a city on a hill so you get to part of the welcoming beacon and answer to the world’s weariness. Because we’re not really here to help ourselves to more — we’re here to help others to real life. Never doubt it: The way to break into the abundant life is to live broken — life's not about choosing a lifestyle, but a way to serve. #TheWayOfAbundance #beTheGIFT https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck8d7fhuBH8X_3WfGroBHrSVwfC5y3RfV_fxxM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

@annvoskamp Believe it: every minute of faithfulness is a seed that God will faithfully grow into profound change. Because, how long do we really have to figure it out with our kids how to live a joy-filled, grateful life? And what will the math really matter if they are bitter? If the house is immaculate — but my attitude a mess? If they can count — but they don’t know how to count all things as joy? If we get the lists done, but have lost happiness in Him? “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right — think about such things” (Phil. 4:8). Focusing on what is beautiful, good, true — isn’t this the truest education? Perspective can always adopt gratitude — and gratitude is what always parents joy. We were made to live in gratitude to God, giving glory to God. We were made to live in a posture of grateful worship, and when we live in praise, we live our purpose, and all the pieces fall in place, us all falling down in thanks… And if perspective can always adopt gratitude and gratitude always parents joy, I pick up a pen and bow the head and pray to be that kind of parent. The one laughing at all the crazy days to come… Kids watching me choose gratefulness again and again, and all these ticking moments great and full… #1000Gifts #ChooseJoy #bethegift #thanksgiving #thanksliving https://www.instagram.com/p/CkvndRKuYOG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Repost @annvoskamp Sure, it can seem like only the blind & naive Pollyannas give thanks, but the truth is: The jaded end up wearing a heavy stone around their necks that breaks their own hearts. And behind the shade being thrown by every cynic is a visionary who just needs to turn to see amazing grace. The brilliant ones are those who choose to see the Light in everything. And the brave are the ones who focus on all things good & who give thanks now & get joy even here. It’s the grateful who are the change agents who bring the greatest Light to all the world. It’s those who count gifts who realize: You counter apathy by counting the good ways of God… Count blessings & you encounter the One who can always be counted on… “'And on the night He was BETRAYED... Jesus He broke bread & lifted it up & GAVE THANKS.' If Jesus can give thanks *in that* — we can give thanks in everything. If Jesus chooses gratitude as elemental in destroying evil — do we have a better weapon against the dark? If out of a cosmos of choices, Jesus chose to give thanks in the face of evil, then maybe our giving thanks for all of these gifts *is the best way to face the day.* #1000Gifts #ChooseJoy #OTGOBS #bethegift #thanksgiving #thanksliving —> https://bit.ly/1000GiftsOBS Let's do this, friends! Let's end the year strong in joy as we count all the ways He loves us! https://www.instagram.com/p/CkkQeLKOvqg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

@annvoskamp Today, that's it: Smile & Enjoy! You only have so many Tuesdays! Seize moments today: laugh with somebody, pause & watch the sky, tell one person she is beautiful, run across grass & feel your heart beat, find a way to ‪#‎betheGIFT‬‬ to someone, say the words out loud: I love you. "Make the most of every chance you get." Eph.5:15 MSG We may have eternity — but we only have so much time. Every day is a ridiculously special occasion to be alive— and not to waste on grudges or bitterness or unforgiveness! How you spend your moments — adds up to how you spend your one life. So go ahead today - Smile & laugh & love large & don't pick a side. Pick a Person — the Person of Jesus. And go pick His ways. #BeTheGift #1000Gifts https://www.instagram.com/p/CjF1wjGO4wK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

@annvoskamp (2014) Hey Soul? Really -- It doesn't matter that you can't do it all... because this is all that matters: "Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does... Give it all you’ve got, be resolute & love. without. stopping." 1Cor14:1, 1Cor16:13MSG Take it as a notice from your "head office" to your heart: You cannot do it all but what matters is that you do what you can all with love. #LetsDoToday #betheGIFT #PreachingtheGospeltoMyself https://www.instagram.com/p/CiAgpFfO2El/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

@annvoskamp You get today, you GET today! You GET to breathe today, you GET to smile today, you GET to love LARGE today — who knows how many todays you will get, but you've been given the gift of TODAY & that's no small thing. Because here's the pretty amazing thing: Start the day with a grateful heart & *you get a day with a joyful heart.* "... Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into His presence... Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank Him. Worship Him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always & ever." Psalm 100:2-5 MSG No matter what's coming at you today, the thing is: No amount of regret changes the past, No amount of anxiety changes the future, Any amount of grateful joy changes the present. Don't take these moments for granted when you can take them with GRATITUDE — which takes all your moments & makes them JOY! – from One Thousand Gifts Quick! Share something you’re grateful for this morning, and let’s flood this day with gratitude! #1000Gifts #ChooseJoy #bethegift https://www.instagram.com/p/CejGXA_OwC-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=