I am by nature a connector. The  friendship of women truly blesses my life.   There have been seasons in my life where loneliness hung around me like a cloak and drove my heart hard to His side.  In those time He was my only friend. This week He reminded me that my friends truly are a gift.

Counting 1,000 Gifts….

#651 Grabbing a quick chat  with a faraway friend while children fuss loudly in the van…still it refreshes my heart.

#652 A note from my nearly 40 BFF LYLAS who always brings me to joy.

#653 New friends who have similar passions and encourage my gifts.

#654 Friends who start their day in The Word and challenge me to do the same.

#655 Sisters who are friends.

#656 Real girlfriends.

#657 Lingering over lunch because conversation goes deep and there are no interruptions.

#658 Not having to tell back stories because she just knows.

#659  Being assured of prayers of faithful women.

#660 How each friend comes into my life, leaves a part of her heart and I am never the same.

*****

Do you struggle to find joy? Are you in a particularly hard place right now?  Might I make a suggestion?  Decide today to count it all joy.  Pull out a piece of paper and write down 10 things you are thankful for.  And then, keep going until you don’ t have to remind yourself to look anymore.  Want some company along the way?  Stop by here every Monday and count with me, and visit Ann Voskamp and the Gratitude Community by clicking the button below.  They are the best group of gratitude chasers you will ever meet!