While we live on earth, suffering with joy, not gratitude in wealth, is the way the worth of Jesus shines most brightly.... You cannot show the preciousness of a person by being happy with his gifts.... What proves that the giver is precious is the glad-hearted readiness to leave all his gifts to be with him. --John Piper, from Let the Nations Be Glad!

Today I'm not so concerned with whether I agree with Piper or not, but I am reminded that God is pleased both by my gratitude and my willingness to give up what I have. Here's my inventory of 20 things I appreciate in my life that I will also gladly leave behind to move to Peru.

good health care almost at my doorstep
automatic transmission
having most of my family nearby
clean home, clean city, clean life
Cantina 1511's happy hour with $2 appetizers (weekly date for us)
King of Kings (I'm not even sure there is a church in Supe)
similarly, all of our friends here
Dairy Queen blizzards
my sweet and safe neighborhood
a time-aware culture (this is huge for me)
my Damariscotta pottery collection
privacy and space
being immersed in a culture where I understand the rules
stores that sell clothes that fit me and are made from soft fabric
the public library
my precious home
Amazon Super Saver Shipping
NPR (maybe I can listen online)
all of the green here (although Supe is coastal, it's also desert)
my mom's beach house

0 comments