I discovered Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience, a few months ago while she was part of a Compassion International team of bloggers. Her words and stories beautifully woven make you stop and breathe in her thoughts. When I discovered she had a book releasing soon there was no doubt I would be buying it immediately. Preordering it on Kindle I couldn't wait until January. The publisher surprised us though and it was released on Kindle a month early.
My recommendation? Go buy One Thousand Gifts. Everyone should read this book. I don't often say that about books. There are probably only two or three I would give that recommendation.
I had no idea how God would use One Thousand Gifts to continue changing me.
I have to take this book in shifts so deeply has it affected me. Heavy at moments, I have to put it away. To take a breath and process all it is teaching me. I know the word this book has introduced to me will define my year. This eucharisteo.
Within her pages Ann Voskamp shares what she believes is the secret to a full, joy filled life. Not just joy amidst the good times, but also joy during the painful times.
"In the original language, "he gave thanks" reads "eucharisteo." …..The root word of Eucharisteo is charis, meaning "grace." Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks. But there is more, and I read it. Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning "joy."……..Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy. A triplet of stars,a constellation in the black. A threefold cord that might hold a life? Offer a way up into the fullest life? Grace, thanksgiving, joy. Eucharisteo. A Greek word….that might make meaning of everything?"
What is God teaching me through Ann Voskamp's words? Could this be what God started teaching me as He began this awakening in me over the past year? I believe so. He's teaching me that I need to live life in thankfulness. Not only in big things, but in the small details as well. To practice eucharisteo daily. To slow down, soak it in, and give thanks. So that if and when, I can live eucharisteo in the difficult times as well.
Oh there is so much more goodness I could share with you from this book. But I want you to discover it for yourself. So I am giving away one copy of One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. To be entered just leave a comment on this post before midnight (central time) Sunday, February 6. Winner will be announced Monday, February 7.
No compensation or merchandise was received for this post.
