Ann Voskamp’s book, “One Thousand Gifts: a Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are” is everything I expected it to be after having read Ann’s blog, “A Holy Experience” for several months, after viewing this video/trailer and hearing her voice just as I always imagined it would sound.
There are painful words, undressed anguish, aching honesty bared for truth’s sake, all blessed by radiant thankfulness.
“One Thousand Gifts” is a treasure that shows us grace and gives meaning to the scripture, “Pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances.” (I Thess. 5:17-18)
I recommend it to you. It is available through Amazon, DaySpring, Barns & Noble and Christianbook.com.
~
~
Excerpts:
“Maybe in those first few years my life slowly opened, curled like cupped hands, a receptacle open to the gifts God gives.
“But of those years, I have no memories. They say memory jolts awake with trauma’s electricity. That would be the year I turned four. The year when blood pooled and my sister died and I, all of us, snapped shut to grace.”
~
“If I’m ruthlessly honest, I may have said yes to God, yes to Christianity, but really, I have lived the no. I have. Infected by that Eden mouthful, the retina of my soul develops macular holes of blackness. From my own beginning, my sister’s death tears a hole in the canvas of the world.
“Losses do that. One life-loss can infect the whole of a life. Like a rash that wears through our days, our sight becomes peppered with black voids. Now everywhere we look, we only see all that isn’t: holes, lack, deficiency.”
MUSINGS 
Thank you, Carol. This is the second recommendation I’ve received for this book. I recently purchased two books by blogging debut authors. I started reading them both, but my life is so full of things to do that I can’t find time to read or work on my MS. Yet, my life is good. I’m enjoying every moment with my husband. I think when something happens in duplicate, like two recommendations for one book, I should take notice. Blessings to you, Carol…
Sounds great! I love the premise, and those verses from Thessalonians. (I love the verse right before them even more: “Rejoice evermore” in KJV. I think it goes very well with those verses!)
Carol, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful message.
What a wonder to pull these emotions from within and present a book to the world as a special gift, a very special gift indeed. Thank you, Anna 🙂
What beautiful prose Ann Voskamp writes. This short excerpt draws me in immediately.
I haven’t heard of this book, Carol. Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll be checking it out. 🙂
Looking forward to my books arriving. I am buying at least 6 to give away to family and friends. Ann is gifted and it is a joy to read it and share as we grow in our spiritual walk together.
Wow, what a powerful trailer! Ordering the book as soon as I finish commenting here. Thanks for the recommendation, Mom! 🙂
Ann is indeed a remarkable writer. She has a special way of setting out her words that makes you see beyond the obvious and ordinary. Learning to be thankful in all circumstances is never easy, but One Thousand Gifts makes me look for all the little blessings that surround my daily life, that I would normally take for granted. I’m happy to recommend it.
My friend Rhonda Schrock told me about this blog; it sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Love
Jen
Thanks, Jen. I’m glad the word is getting around. 🙂