One Thousand Gifts

I've been slowly working my way through Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, a book about eucharisteo, or thanksgiving. Through personal stories and musings from her life and walk with God, she posits that our life should be one of thanksgiving; without giving thanks our lives can have no joy, and we overlook the many blessings that God bestows on us daily. A friend of hers challenged her to write a list of one thousand gifts in her life that she was thankful for, and I've been inspired to do the same. By giving thanks, we acknowledge God as the author of all good things, and our life becomes one of praise.

As I was thinking about the book this evening, I thought of one thing I would add to my growing list of one thousand gifts, and that is simply the gift of good friends. Specifically, friends who are willing to pull me outside of my comfortable box, whether that's encouraging me in a job pursuit, or telling me that I can't stay home and "just read" one more night -- I have to get out and go to dinner and a movie. I'm grateful for the friends who invest in me and love me unconditionally, and who are always there for me. I'm grateful for these gifts.

I'm hoping to post on here about more of the thousands of gifts from God to me. It's a challenging and humbling exercise to be struck by the little and big blessings and to take time to give thanks -- to acknowledge God's goodness and grace and to praise him for who he is.