Book Review: One Thousand Gifts

   Spring is here! Winter has been around for the last four months and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of temperatures above freezing and more like above 40 F. It looks like it will be a while until that happens for more than a day at a time. This winter I slowly made my way through the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I must say the writing style almost made me lament my decision to ask for the book for Christmas. I'm not a huge fan of poetic writing for the duration of a whole book. I did like what she had to say though, about her experiences growing up and as a mom. Her honesty of how she was trying to cope with feeling like life was empty really kept the book alive. I could relate to her struggle of how to stay close to God while she tried to understand the hardships of her life. The heart of the book is the topic of heart-felt gratitude to God for His daily gifts; giving thanks on your best days but also when life is painful. Interestingly enough before I started reading the book I found this cute gratitude journal online.

   I've been writing a few things in this book since January and it's been a relaxing part of my day. There are so many good things of every day and sitting down to reflect on those good things and thanking God for them has helped me to have a more positive outlook during the bleak months of winter. It is easy to only focus on the daily struggles of life and to forget the beauty and joy that are part of each day. We've had our fair share of stomach bug plague, arguing, tears over difficult math problems, sleepless nights from bad dreams or vomiting, and disappointments from cancelling the fun things due to illness. And did I mention four months of winter? Yet each day has held beauty. Each day has given me plenty of things to be grateful for. Here is list of some of the beauty. Maybe you could start writing your own list. I highly recommend getting a fun journal to motivate you!

Celebrating 18 years since my husband and I's first date
The quiet of naptime for the kids while the house fills with the aroma of brewing coffee for me
Sweet soft cheeks of my youngest child
Warm hugs
Our fireplace to fill the living room with a gentle cozy heat
Opportunities to encourage other women
Becoming a paid Writer for GSN
A new winter coat with a soft collar
Meeting another homeschool mom at the gym
Overhearing my children singing and playing piano and ukulele...praising God together
The hopeful feeling of the sun parting thick clouds
Date night
Time to shop alone
Large fluffy snowflakes falling
Pink fresh roses on the table
Going ice-skating with my kids
A house full of my kids' friends over for pizza and games
The dishwasher
A sudden Spring-like day warm enough to go for a bike ride with the kids
Coffee, coffee, coffee
The soft comforting sound of rain in the night
God supplying our needs
So much laughter in our home