Back Up the Sunbeam [Multitude Monday, Take 301]

I debated whether or not to continue my typical Monday gratitude lists during this month's 31 Days of Seeing Jesus series, but I think it fits. It fits, that is, if I do not focus on the gifts as ends in and of themselves, but if I receive them as pointers to the Giver of all good gifts.

This is a challenge, of course. Counting gifts can so easily become a practice of merely "writing down things I enjoy" rather than "recognizing God's kindness and generosity and practicing gratitude for the good things He blesses me with."

So as I keep counting this month, I'm asking God to help me see Jesus in these lists by drawing my attention "back up the sunbeam to the sun." 

"…I have tried to make every pleasure into a channel of adoration. I don’t mean simply by giving thanks for it. One must of course give thanks, but I meant something different… Gratitude exclaims, very properly, ‘How good of God to give me this.’ Adoration says, ‘What must be the quality of that Being whose far-off and momentary coruscations are like this!’ One’s mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun."
–C.S. Lewis, "Reflections in a Toolshed," from Letters to Malcolm 

With that in mind, this week I have experienced countless pleasures; here are a few I am trying to "make...into a channel of adoration": 

5678. fifteen-minute power naps
5679. a lesson in art appreciation
5680. Elijah scoring a goal at his soccer game!
5681. the joy and excitement on his face
5682. oldies station on Pandora

5683. the Book-It program at Elijah's school = accountability to keep reading to him
5684. fond memories of my own personal pan pizzas with that little blue ticket
5685. cross-references in my study Bible
5686. the way I feel more alive when I am writing
5687. enjoyment of God's Word and hunger to study more

5688. the ability to take a family vacation and enjoy fun activities
5689. the beauty of creation, high on a mountain and hundreds of feet underground
5690. safety on rails, roads, water
5691. sunset on the river
5692. pizza on a train car

5693. warm water in a swimming pool
5694. the founder of Ruby Falls witnessing to the glory and goodness of God
5695. digital photography
5696. the boys' faces aboard a REAL train
5697. gospel conversations with Steve in the car

5698. the awesome inheritance that awaits us, far better than the best vacation, never ending like every vacation must