Why One Thousand Gifts?

From our beginnings, we keep reliving the Garden story. ~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts, p 15

Grace by Laura Story


It is a shame I can't keep a journal of all my life because when I would pause to look back, I know I would see things, people, images... all being repeated over and over again.  I know this because there are times I actually do notice!  One of the repeats that kept coming my way was Ann's book One Thousand Gifts.

"I do not want nor do I need another devotional to read and clutter up my space!"

"I can only absorb, I can only handle so many 'good things'!"

"I have actually latched on to a couple of devotionals, I'm good! I don't need another!"

".....!" ...was my response to each subtle invitation.

I noticed this morning the copyright date is 2010.  God/the Universe/Spirit...whatever term you are comfortable using when referring to the Source of all life....this Great Spirit must have begun nudging Ann's book my direction shortly after it was published!  My resistance is an indication to the stubbornness within me that this blessed Creator is constantly working to sand down a bit. : )

To show how silly I can be, part of my resistance to picking up Ann's book was that I LOVED the image on the book-jacket!  I was fearful of becoming engrossed in a book for which I felt I did not have the time.  OR, another silly thought was that I would be disappointed.  The inside would not match the pull of the image on the outside.

Long story short....I finally did purchase the book and was pleasantly surprised by how it fed me, how it challenged me, and how it encouraged me.

While I was at first hesitant to share some of my thoughts as I read through the book again, today, I am actually looking forward to the challenge.  Last Sunday I began a new study for adults at the church using the book of Job.  I've never studied Job before and have felt a sense of enthusiasm as I have begun making preparations for the class.  This morning, reading the first chapter of Ann's book, "an emptier, fuller life" I was struck by how the words she used to talk about an early tragedy in her life sounded similar to Job's friends.

"Ah!" I thought, "another layer I can use when reading both books!"


Ann begins early on with the theme of the entire book.

Ann introduces her theme with a single word, eucharisteo, with means "he gave thanks."

Eucharisteo is the word that is used in Luke 22:19 when Jesus gave thanks for the bread at the Last Supper before he served it to his disciples.

You might be thinking, "yet one more book on gratitude..." and you would be right.  I had the same thought which was one more reason I did not pick up the book.  Yet, Ann offers at times a gut-wrenching honesty which gave her words more strength and power than other books I have read on gratitude.  Stories and words shared are not simply words offered by someone who has not known, or is not willing to share her own struggles.

The thoughts and insights from this book have been pulled from life experiences...from real life struggles.

I wish I could continue writing, I feel as though I have much to journal, but I've a budget meeting to prepare for in a couple of hours!  So....hopefully I will have an opportunity to post more tomorrow.

Before signing off I do want to offer a praise by how I have been blessed today!

I enjoyed a wonderful brunch with a group of women within whose space I rest.  They offer me and one another a sacred space to "be". Later I visited with another woman from the group who was not able to participate.  Again, it was sacred moments spent sitting side by side in her living room.

I am grateful for the gift of sacredness...for the gift of love that was offered to me this day. I am so glad I made myself available to receive the gift.  Funny thing love, moments like today, it is so easy to reach out and touch.  Still, other times, it is some times discovered in places we would not expect.... Love is Here by Tenth Avenue North.


Love...it's a gift, it is sometimes a challenge to receive.


Many Blessings ~ Sandi

Gather Up the Crumbs - VIII - Evening Review - Lord, help me discern my crumbs...

^{Psalm 18:1-6, 27-33
1} I love you, LORD, my strength.
² The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
   my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
   my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
³ I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
   and I have been saved from my enemies.
⁴ The cords of death entangled me;
   the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me;
   the snares of death confronted me.
 ⁶ In my distress I called to the LORD;
   I cried to my God for help.
  From his temple he heard my voice;
   my cry came before him, into his ears.

²⁷ You save the humble
   but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
²⁸ You, LORD, keep my lamp burning;
   my God turns my darkness into light.
²⁹ With your help I can advance against a troop;
   with my God I can scale a wall.
 ³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect:
   The LORD’s word is flawless;
   he shields all who take refuge in him.
³¹ For who is God besides the LORD?
   And who is the Rock except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength
   and keeps my way secure.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
   he causes me to stand on the heights. 




Loving Father, Strong Deliverer, Encouraging Spirit, help me discern the crumbs that have fallen along my path today. AMEN.

Immediately, I am reminded I've had the smiles of all four grandkids in and out today.  Each smile is different, just as each set of eyes...but each one touches my heart and reminds me of the love that is around me and within me.

My mother-in-law is dying.  She lives alone in a home very close to ours.  Today, between agriculture and his mother, my husband's nerves have been frayed. Today, between their own farming operation, two small boys, and her grandmother, #1 daughter's nerves are frayed. Today, between a hard day at work, two small children, having to make several errands after work, and her grandmother, # 4 daughter's nerves are frayed.

And then there is me.

I love this song by Laura Story....

Evan, Payton, Aaron, Cooper

This evening, I am remembering the smiles of the four kids as I look back over this day. In many ways, their smiles are more than a few crumbs. Sitting here this evening, I realize their eyes were the only "happy" eyes I actually looked into today.  Sitting here, thinking about that blessing, I sense that Christ was smiling at me through the eyes of these precious kids of mine.

This evening, I am remembering two email messages from women who attend the church, asking how my mother-in-law is doing.  Actually, with the second email, I recognized it as a crumb that was offering me a moment's pause...a moment's blessing.

Rebecca, Nancy

This evening, I am thinking that even though they were stressed, I've two really special daughters who are finding time in their day to attend a failing grandmother.  They are a blessing.  Their love...their gift of them selves are wonderful crumbs!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before I could sign off, I received another call. "Sandi, I've fallen and I can't get up." Now, an hour and half later, floors mopped, carpet cleaned, and laundry going again...I'm back.

Driving home between our homes, Laura Story's words echoed in my heart..."What if my blessings come through raindrops? What if my healing comes through tears? What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?"

Lord, you know my heart. AMEN.

Many Blessings ~ Sandi