I’m really not one for “inspirational” books. Too many of them seem fluffy, unsubstantial, or fake, written by people who seem to not realize that life is actually really hard sometimes.
When I first heard of One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp, I wasn’t even planning on reading it. While I enjoyed occasionally reading Ann’s blog, A Holy Experience, I knew she was also a writer with DaySpring — and in my book, that equals “inspirational”, too.
But then I started seeing little snippets on Facebook about how much someone was looking forward to getting their copy of the book, or how good the book was, from people who I didn’t necessarily think would go for an “inspirational” book. I started looking into what the book was actually about and it intrigued me. The concept of recognizing little things throughout the day as gifts from God is something that I’ve done sporadically over the past years and I always enjoyed when I did it. So when I acquired some free Amazon credit, I decided to use it for One Thousand Gifts…
From the very first chapter, One Thousand Gifts did not meet my expectations for an “inspirational” book. It was anything but fluffy and it dealt head-on with the nitty-gritty of life. How do you be thankful when your children die? Or life gets crazy and chaotic? How do you really know that God is good when life sometimes looks so horrible? Hard questions, to be sure, but ones that Ann confronts and is brutally honest with.
In each chapter, Ann shares specific incidences in her life that were stepping-stones in her journey of learning “eucharisteo” — thanksgiving — in all circumstances. In her unique, lyrical style of writing, we are shown how learning to practice this discipline can be a key to living the abundant, full life that Jesus promises us (John 10:10).
The poignancy of this book brought me to tears several times. Granted, that may have a lot to do with the fact that I’m currently very pregnant and very hormonal, but that doesn’t lessen the fact that so much of One Thousand Gifts seemed to tear away layers of my heart and say exactly what I’d been feeling for so long. This is definitely one of those books that I’ll read again, and I’m sure that I’ll get even more out of it the second (or third or sixth) time around.
Click here to read Gretchen’s review and be sure to see Chantel’s thoughts on counting gifts.
YLCF is giving away a copy of One Thousand Gifts!
- To enter the drawing, leave a comment sharing one of the “gifts” you are thankful for.
- Drawing ended Monday, March 21, at midnight.
- Congratulations to Esther for winning a copy of One Thousand Gifts!
I’m thankful for my dad.
I too have heard a lot about this book and would be interested in reading it. I’ve been encouraged through hard times in this past year to ‘magnify my mercies’ – to look for things to be thankful for, to remember all God has done for me. This has been good and helpful, so that may be the perfect book for me to read:-)
What am I especially thankful for now? For the way God has filled the empty place in my life from moving away from my family. He’s given me a sort of second family to love and spend time with and I’m so thankful! He is good.
I am thankful for the brilliant wildflowers blooming all over the field behind my little house.
I am going to a funeral later today for an unbelieving relative. The verse from First Corinthians that says “We do not grieve as those who have no hope” is heavy on my mind as I know I am going to be surrounded by family members who are grieving without any asuurance of their own salvation. Thankful today for the hope of heaven. Thankful that I can share it with those who are hopelss. Thankful for God’s sovereignty and grace. More than one thing to be thankful for, but it is hard to stop at one.
I’m thankful for the joy God gives us in Himself. I worry too much, and when our car was stolen recently God gave me the huge gift of not panicking. Any other time I would have been a wreck, but I’d just been reading Desiring God and was able to see that things, even big things, don’t matter compared to having God Himself. It’s so incredible to have that peace and freedom – life is so much better when my biggest treasure is God who never changes or disappoints! I know that none of it comes from me knowing or deciding the right things – it’s God’s gift.
I watched a video for this book about seeing the moments in everyday and knowing they are from the hand of God. It made me curious.
I am so very thankful for the promise of spring, the birds that are singing beautiful melodies outside my window, and the daffodils faithfully pushing their heads up out of the soil, and the grass slowly turning from it’s drab yellow to the brilliant, fresh green. Only God could bring about such a miracle as spring.
I’m thankful for my husband!!
So very thankful for the incredible church God has blessed me to be a part of.
I am thankful for….. my driver’s license!
I am thankful for my husband, Josh =)
I’m thankful for my little home, even though it’s quite small!
(I won a book back in November. I don’t know if that’s “recent” or not)
I’m thankful for work! I didn’t always like to work, and I still don’t always enjoy it, but it is helpful in so many ways. It *can* be enjoyable…I feel so much more productive and satisfied when I get something done. And, related to this, I am thankful for the ability to work and the new-found joy in it, all gifts from God! I’m also thankful for the beautiful weather here right now, which makes it more pleasant to work outside.
I am thankful for the gift of being home for spring break, and spending the whole week with my wonderful family.
I’m reading the first few chapters of this book from the library, and would love to have more time to savor and highlight a copy to keep…many good thoughts.
I’m thankful for sunshine and the feeling of spring in the air today!
I am so thankful for the gift of health! I have/had been sick for the last few months,and have come to realize what a precious gift health is! It is so easy to take it for granted. Also,I am thankful for the opportunity to win this amazing book!
I am thankful for God’s sovereignty. I recently started reading Ann Voskamp’s blog… I’d love to read the book!
At first I thought I wouldn’t enter, because my sister already has a copy that I am reading…but I might want a copy for my own someday too or to share with someone!
I am loving this book, the way Ann writes is so meaningful and definitely “fluffless”, through the first chapter I found tears traveling down my face.
I am thankful for good books like this.
Thankful that the rest of my family will be home today after being apart for 5 1/2 weeks.
Oooooh! I’ve been wanting to read this!
Ok…I am SO thankful for my best friend…Ashley (who is actually my older sister)
The thing I am most thankful for right now is my sweet husband. He is so good to me!!
I already have a copy so I won’t enter
but wanted to encourage you all to read this book if you get the chance.
It touched my life in a way I never thought possible for any book (excluding the Bible)
I cried just about every day that I read through it last month.
I’ll have a review on the book over at my journal. (I’ll be linking up to it at the end of the month!)
I am thankful for my family… my wonderful husband and two children!
I have heard that this book is good, but have yet to read it.
I’m thankful for a sunshine-y spring day to bask in the wonder of God’s creation!
I’m eternally grateful for my family. Whether they’re driving me to tears of frustration or tears of joy, I know they’re the only family I’ve got. And I don’t know what I’d do without them.
“For He sets the lonely in families…”
I would LOVE to win a copy of this book! Taking joy in life’s little blessings is something that I strive to do but could do SO much better at!
Today, I’m thankful for spring! It’s definitely in the air, and that knowledge brings a smile to my face. =)
I am thankful for my brother. He is my best friend.
I’m thankful for my wonderful husband!
I am thankful for God’s unending forgiveness and long-suffering towards me. What an awesome God!
I’m thankful for staying up late with my little sister – as she shares her secrets, resolutions, plans and ideas with me- I feel so honoured to be her confident!
I am exceedingly grateful for the YLCF which has proven to be such an inspiration to me in the years I have been following it. The encouragement I have read here has proven life-changing and I credit much of the miles trod in my walk with God, my love of words and writing, and my love of blogging to the YLCF!
I’m thankful that God gives me the strength and wisdom to take care of my parents while going to college to become an LPN. I couldn’t accomplish these things without His help.
From what I’ve heard and the small portion I’ve read, it seems to be a wonderful book! I would love to read it…
I’m thankful for my amazing Daddy.
I am thankful that God is always there for me…I can go to Him anytime I want, and He’ll be right there to listen.
I’m thankful for my wonderful hubby
.
I’m thankful for the hard road. The road that leads me close to Christ. The road that is sometimes hard to give thanks for, but is essential to bring happiness. Most of all, I’m thankful for He that hears my thanks and gives me more things to be thankful for.
I am thankful for the gift of suffering that shows us the depths of the Father’s love for us.
This sounds like an excellent book! I am thankful for the gift (in disguise) of having a long walk back home… so I can reflect on the day and on God’s goodness to me as I walk.
I am so thankful for the godly husband-to-be that God has given me.
My mom just ordered this book, read the first few chapters, and then ordered several more copies for her closest girlfriends- so it’s gotta be good!
I am thankful for the blessing of having a family to love and to be loved by!
I am grateful every day for my health!
I’m so thankful for the gift of my husband-to-be as well! God gives good gifts.
)
I’m thankful that winter is not forever. The sunshine today, even with the snow on the ground, was such a welcome reminder of that.
Sounds like a timely book.
I am grateful for my family.
I’m deeply grateful God’s gift of music.
I’m thankful for morning quiet time- my only time alone!
I’m thankful for friendship.
In need of God’s perspective as we live through a difficult situation. Ann’s gives perspective.
I am a recent follower of Ann Voskamp’s blog and have been inspired by her intentional life, mothering, and relationship with God. I find that she and her blog have been a “gift” to me recently. Thanks for the chance at experiencing her book as well.
I am so thankful for my wonderful husband and his amazing example to me.
One of my entries (private word document) this morning of “hard thanks” is:
105) Disappointments that shifts priorities and changes the desires of the heart.
I am thankful for the gift of being able to stay home with my children.
One of my gifts that I am always thankful for is my little brother. My mom had gone through three miscarriages before he was born so when I finally held him for the first time, I cried, because here was a baby that I had wanted to hold for so long- and it was actually happening. Having gone through the losses made the getting so much sweeter. As the youngest of nine children he gets alot of love but it is hard for me to believe the fact that he will be two next month!
..”children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Ps. 127:3
Today I am thankful for a warm house, good food, the freedom to worship and my family.
Thank you for the giveaway!
Thank you for hosting a lovely giveaway. I am thankful for the gift of my husband. For better, for worse. And all those other vows. He keeps them. He is a gift from the hand of God. ~~Rhonda
I am so thankful for prayer!! That an all powerful God would care to listen to me is amazing.
Thank you!! This book looks great.
God’s promise of forgiveness
I could never fully express how thankful I am for the “gift” of family!
I am thankful for tiny green sprouts pushing up through the dirt.
Ron, Hannah, Peter, Evan, Elise…
neighbors, friends, neighbors who are friends…
pink skies, blue moons, bird calls and the push of green out of the ground
tree silhouettes, smelling rain
Scripture.
I’m thankful for second chances.
The smallest of children who can tell me who William the Conquerer was just because the little one plays in a one room home schoolhouse
I’m thankful for my brothers.
This book is a gem!
I am thankful for my husband, who is sweet and loving with all my faults. He is my greatest earthly treasure.
I am also very thankful for Ann Voskamp and her website.
Sighs. I hope I win it!!
I am thankful for my mom!!!
I am thankful for my 6 children. And what they teach me.
I’m thankful for the two mission trips that I’ve gone on and the growth that has happened. Also I’m thankful that God has allowed me to be a teacher for girls at a Christian school this year!
I’m thankful for the lovely, calming rains we’ve received over the past week.
I am thankful for my heartbeat…it represents an opportunity to live life in this beautiful world that God made.
Thankful for new beginnings… mercies new every morning,
and afternoon and evening and the next day too –
over and over and over, His mercy.
Thankful for my family… most especially my hardworking, dedicated husband…
My (sleeping) baby boy.
I am grateful for my friends.
I’m thankful for spring! New growth and life! Easter coming!
Thank you so much for this giveaway! I’m thankful for a loving Father who never gives up on me. I’m also thankful that my family is saved.
I’m thankful for the promise of spring!!
I’m so thankful for Spring break starting tomorrow.
I am thankful my husband and i are going on our first missions trip this summer.
today I’m thankful for my husband who doesn’t complain that I haven’t ironed his shirts recently.
Would love a copy of this to give to others.
Im thankful for grace. And spring.
I am thankful for the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Spring is just around the corner!
I am thankful for the joy and peace that comes from embracing promises from God’s Word. <3
i am thankful for the blood of JESUS that covers ALL our sins and gives us the promise of eternal life!
Thankful for Relationships that encourage me, challenge me and help me to grow more closely into what God desires for me.
Wow! Sounds like a fabulous book! One of the numerous things I am thankful for is every single breath I take. We are not promised the next one, for we don’t know what the next day, hour, or even second holds.
Thank you for hosting this giveaway!
Blessings,
-Grace
I am so thankful that God truly does supply all of our needs, though not always the way we would imagine!
I’m thankful for the many people who have encouraged me to “live out loud”: to seek adventure when God calls me to it, to find quiet places when my soul must rest, to laugh, to cry, to listen, to be heard, to face difficult situations with prayer & determination, to write, to smile, to forgive, to make music and to never stop loving this side of Heaven.
i’m thankful for my 8 month old baby girl who will only sleep on mama right now because she has the flu.
I’m thankful for a healthy body that can do stuff like snowboarding (definitely something not everyone gets to do), all the random things we take for granted, such as a warm bed, enough sleep, and healthy food, and I am thankful that my God loves me and desires a relationship with ME!
I’m very thankful for I have the greatest parents in the world and if I could live again I will still choose them to be my Papa and Mama..and with my very lovely and adorable sisters..
I am thankful for the gift of a never dying fire of zeal and curiosity for God’s word.
I love to stay home with my kids.
I’m thankful for my clothesline,
that holds up my clothes when they are wet,
and for the sun that shines down to dry them.
I’ve seen this book before and thought the cover was pretty, but I figured it was going to be an “inspirational” type book as well. I wasn’t interested in reading it, but what you just described sounds like it would a beautiful book!
I am thankful for my sweet husband God has blessed me with!
I am so thankful to God for blessing me with a Godly mother & grandmother. They inspire me!
With all that’s happening in Japan, I’m thankful for a home. For a warm place to sleep and food on my table. For my family and for peace.
This looks like a good book–I’ve heard of it before from friends. ~~ The first things I could say that I am thankful for is my family, and my little white dog.
This moment I’m thankful for muddy rugs (spring is here), goat kids romping that makes us giggle and want to play outside too (see number 1), paint shirts (representing creativity, paint contained, and my children), raspberry chapstick that makes me smile, tiny chicks cheeping under the heat lamp, leftovers in the fridge, chocolate still in my hiding place (shh!), sweet husband that doesn’t mind that we enjoyed life today instead of cleaned house— while he worked hard providing for his crazy family.(He’s awesome).
I am thankful for a home to come back to…. where I can see the stars at night.
I am so thankful for the sweet little boys I babysit for! <3
Tonight, I’m thankful for pillows. It sounds silly, but I was at a conference for five days and had only one very thin pillow. Tonight, I’m safely home and have three!
Numbering grace-gifts: electricity, rainbow that appears with each knitted row, baby-girl pushing seeds into earth cups & patting down soil, sounds of Daddy taking his girls on a imaginary helicopter ride, how 5 loaves and 2 fish filled the emptiness for 5,000.
I’m thankful for a safe train trip!
Thanks for doing this giveaway!
I’m thankful for life.
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
-Omar Khayyam