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“one thousand gifts”—Book review

There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things.
It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing.
The moments will add up. 
~ Ann Voscamp

Do you regularly count your blessings? pigs_Ann_Voskamp

It’s Ann’s story.
The wife of a 1000 pigs farmer.
They raise wheat, soy beans, corn.
And six homeschooled kids.

Her story contains tragedy, comedy, drama. In Christ.
Through eucharisteo.

But this is more than her story. In Ann’s non-preachy way, she subtly invites this to become your story too, if it’s not already.

 Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life,
and joy is always given, never grasped.
God gives gifts and I give thanks
and I unwrap the gift given:
joy.

I’ve been keeping a 3-Blessings Journal for awhile now, but somehow this counting to one thousand gifts that Ann talks about is still fresh so I began counting anew one month ago. one_thousand_gifts_by_ann_voskamp

In her book she explains its beginning. And on her blog you see how it’s growing.

You have to go slow to read Ann’s writing. Accede to that up front, or don’t pick up her book at all. Because she writes it different.

It’s poetry through prose.
It’s grace through thanks.
It’s God through words.

It’s soap bubbles and cheese mounds and Rembrandt paintings. Harvest moons and emergency rooms and broken bread. Greek words and profound quotes and redeemed imagination.

The quiet song of gratitude, eucharisteo,
lures humility out of the shadows
because to receive a gift the knees must bend humble
and the hand must lie vulnerably open
and the will must bow to accept whatever the Giver chooses to give.

But like all good writers of Truth, Ann doesn’t leave you with Ann; she leaves you with God. In His hands. He is the one you’re drawn to. And He is always good.

   ...that that which tears open our souls, those holes that splatter our sight, may actually become the thin, open places to see through the mess of this place to the heart-aching beauty beyond.
To Him. To the God whom we endlessly crave.

Ann seeks God everywhere.
You can too.
Because God is everywhere.


Is there a greater way to love the Giver
than to delight wildly in His gifts?

I continue my count to 1000 and beyond...

# 68....72
~ a room with no clock
~ mystery of inverse relationship between fancy hotel and good internet
~ this hotel with great internet
~ grace to decline Jeff’s offer to find a different hotel... 
~ ...then Jeff putting together this dessert (especially in a hotel room)fresh_strawberries


# 73....76
~
live streaming
~ worshiping with my church even 400 miles away 
~ Isaiah 43
~ “Full atonement!” Can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!


# 77....80
~ resurfacing perennials
~ weeping willows
~ overflow of Pebble Brook at Lago Paz
~ pink of springloropetalum

# 81
~ remains of the daycadbury_egg

# 82....85
~ artists using alphabet to paint ideas
~ wonder of words
~ Wonder of Word
~ daughter with heart for worldbathroom mirror


* * *

Read Chapter 1 of one thousand gifts.
Watch the chapter videos.

Have you read Ann’s book?

What’s a gift you’ve received this week?

11 comments:

Barbara H. said...

Very nice review! And I love the quotes you pulled out. Even though I just finished the book a few weeks ago, I needed the reminders.

Bobbi said...

Her book has many "quote worthy" sections. Even though I also read it recently it was good to be reminded of these today.

Kristy said...

I am reading the book, slowly, savoring it! I love Ann's blog & have been so inspired by her writings for so long now. Glad you are loving it too!

Jamie said...

A daughter with a heart for the world...my absolute favorite! Loved seeing the words written on the mirror.

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

Your review of Ann's book is right on! I've read it three times, the first time I flew through it. Not because it was easy, but only because I couldn't stop until I knew the end. I decided I would just go back, again and again and again, until I "got it!" I knew I had to get it, that this was what God wanted for me. It's changed my life as I have come to see all that God gives me in my moments.

I especially liked your "room with no clocks!" Wouldn't it be great if time would just stop for a little while?????

Thank you so much for your post today. It was a real blessing to have been here!

Catherine said...

I love this book so much! Thanks for sharing your blessings.

Donna said...

Lisa, you captured the essence of the book and Ann's writing style.

"But like all good writers of Truth, Ann doesn’t leave you with Ann; she leaves you with God. In His hands. He is the one you’re drawn to. And He is always good."

I like your quote!

I took time to read the book - the truth presented still runs through my heart...

elizabeth said...

I loved the remains of the day one! :)

Hazel said...

Your reviews are always fun to read. It makes me want to read the books. The quotes are excellent. Poetry through prose, grace through thanks and God through words are wonderful to think of over and over.

Unknown said...

Great review -- really beautiful writing about writing that moved you.

Marianne said...

I love the resurfacing perennials. It gives me hope for my life, that no matter how much I get bogged down I will always be able to resurface in the sunny rays of Gods love.

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