I read this book about a month ago. I didn't have time for it, really, but I made it, and I am glad I did. Ann Voskamp was dared by a friend to count one thousand gifts. She did, and found well beyond one thousand gifts. She found a deeper faith, a fuller life, even when it was not easier--especially when it was not easier. Voskamp is part poet, part mystic, part theologian, and fills her pages with imagery that will call to mind the Romantics and Transcendentalists and syntax that throws your attention around, grabbing you, engaging you, making you read twice to get just what that line is saying.
Starting today, I'm going to keep a gratitude journal, my own list, hopefully to one thousand, hopefully beyond. And I'm going to try to take photos of the little things, the tiny things, because it is so easy to forget how much they matter--the sky in all its wonder, the dappling sunlight when you're up early, a quiet dinner at home, even something as simple as a clean, clear glass of water. These things are worth remembering, worth appreciating, worth our gratitude.
One Thousand Gifts was a gift for my birthday in September, and I am so glad it was given to me--I never would've picked it up for myself, as I don't really pick up books from Christian publishers anymore (I burned out on them years ago). This one surprised me. I should add that if it's not your faith, you may not feel quite the same way about it. Still, Voskamp's poetic prose might get you anyway...
2 comments:
I started a gratitude journal earlier this year, but with moving from West Coast to East Coast, my whole routine was disrupted and the book was misplaced. I found it the other day when I was organizing after my latest move. I think it's time I started counting my gifts too.
Hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving.
She spoke at Wheaton's chapel!
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