MY One Thousand Gifts

Inspired by an often inspiring friend, I'm picking up the book, One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp, again. I read it the first time a few years ago and I fell in love with the content and style. The choice to re-read it was an easy one. Not an easy choice, was deciding to accept the challenge to make my own list of 1000 gifts. Mostly because a simple notebook and pencil don't seem like enough for this task. I've decided to blog along the way. I've also agreed (with myself) not to put too much pressure on myself to finish this list during the month of November. I'll finish when I finish. I welcome you to follow along, share your own gifts, or just leave a comment. 

If you want to see Just the List, Nothing But the List you can.


November 6, 2014
"But, someone, please give me -- who is born again but still so much in need of being born anew -- give me the details of how to live in the waiting cocoon before the forever begins?...How do we live fully so we are fully ready to die?" 
These are the words that most stood out to me yesterday. Yes, I am born again, but I don't really feel born ANEW most of the time. I feel like the same me who just knows better. You know how what I mean? Like, when you're a child and your parents say, "You know better than that," with a look of stern disapproval. I don't want to just behave better for God. I desire a closer relationship with Him, but yet not in the way I've longed for a closer relationship with others. Think back to when you first fell in love. From the moment you wake up, all you can think about is, "How can I get closer to ____? When will I see _____? What can I do for ___?" As I consider gratitude and being in THIS moment, really LIVING in this moment, I want to feel this kind of newness for God. I want to go back and fill in His name in all those blanks everyday.

November 3, 2014
"Our fall was, has always been, and always will be, that we aren't satisfied in God and what He gives. We hunger for something more, something other."
Although I really feel like I have a handle on my wants, I see this so much in my family. We aren't satisfied with enough, we want more. The STUFF in our home is evident of that longing. We see what others wear, the vacations they take, the restaurants they frequent and all of a sudden, more than enough is no longer enough. What God has provided for this family is waaaay more than enough. He's given us enough to give away to those who don't have enough. Through us, He can meet their needs. My take away for today is that enough is enough. No excess. No extra. Be satisfied because God is SO satisfying.