New Year of Giving Thanks (“One Thousand Gifts” book review)

It began many years ago. A mystery. A quest if you will.

It started informally at first. With a feeling–an inkling. A mother’s intuition, a whisper really: There is something special about that daughter of mine, aside from being my child. She is trying to tell me something. I know it now, I knew it then.

Noticing the Gifts

I’d watch Rachel as she stalked a bug, giggle when she squealed with delight as a raindrop hit her nose, and marvel while she stood fascinated by the rising moon, every single time she saw it.

Deep down I wanted some of what she had. Her love for everyone, including the hard to love. Her excitement and joy at little happenings in her life. Her satisfaction with the simple.

What was it about her that I so admired then and continue to today? As a significantly globally delayed child, there are many things she cannot do. She can’t sing, jump, or write.

Yet she holds a treasure far richer than a chest of precious jewels. She lives with joy. And I knew I had to somehow discover the location of that treasure.

What began informally fourteen years ago with the birth of my daughter with special needs became formal in the pages of a book by Ann Voskamp: One Thousand Gifts.  In her bestselling book, Ann poetically describes the importance of noticing  the gifts God showers us with and expressing our gratitude.

For the first time, as I read One Thousand Gifts, I spotted the X on my treasure map: the source of Rachel’s joy.

It was all about taking time to notice and give thanks. Joy is cultivated when we recognize the richness and grace of the Lord manifested in our daily lives.

Joy is cultivated when we recognize the richness and grace of the Lord manifested in our daily lives. Click To Tweet

The Gift of Giving Thanks

Rachel does just that.  She notices blessings in her life. All kinds of blessings. Not just the big and garish ones we can’t help seeing, but the little and subtle as well. 

She appreciates and celebrates life and gifts of all sizes and shapes.

Rachel appreciates all the little gracedrops showered on her each day–gems that bring her joy. She notices and is grateful!

And so began my formal habit of counting gifts. More than 1,300 entries later, I’m discovering the treasure is more precious than originally thought. It is priceless.

The habit of daily thanksgiving transforms the heart in amazing and dramatic ways. I would love to encourage you to begin today if you haven’t yet. It will change your life as you recognize the intensity of the Lord’s love for you.

Count your blessings. It will change your life as you recognize the intensity of the Lord's love for you. Click To Tweet

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love is eternal. (Psalm 136:1)

Reflections: What are 3 things you are grateful for right now? 

[Sorry, the giveaway is over!] With thanksgiving in mind, I’m super excited to offer a GIVEAWAY of a copy of Ann’s book, One Thousand Gifts, AND her One Thousand Gifts Family Journal. One winner will receive both items.

Entering the giveaway is super easy. Just follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below . The giveaway will close midnight on Sunday, January 13.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will host giveaways each remaining Wednesday in the month of January. Next weeks is a copy of the new bestseller Unglued by author Lysa Terkeurst. Don’t miss it.

By His grace ≈

Julie