Book Review: One Thousand Gifts

In the hectic life of raising two boys I have set myself the goal of reading 13 books in 2013 that push my horizons a little beyond my standard fare of crime novels and recipe books.  This is my response to #7 on my list: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

Source: amazon.com

I had read the first chapter of One Thousand Gifts online and was keen to read more.  Voskamp's faith journey, as she undertakes a dare to list one thousand gifts or blessings in her day to day life, is told in a humble and gentle way.  Her mantra - "eucharisteo" - is a Greek verb meaning "to give thanks."  Each chapter unfolds a new layer of understanding she finds while she keeps her list of one thousand gifts and beyond.  She quotes many notable Christians (throughout history) as she discovers the blessings of giving thanks, changes her perspective of her difficult life experiences, and grows closer to God.  And she as a busy, homeschooling mother of six, I could identify with some of her daily challenges quite easily.

I struggled a bit though, with her writing style.  Don't get me wrong! It is beautiful, poetic, and draws the reader in, layer by layer, through her journey of deepening her relationship with God.  The problem is more that the way I read at the moment is in snatches - five minutes here, ten minutes before nap time ends, at the tail end of the day when my brain is fuzzy...  This method does not lend itself to poetic appreciation on my part.  I just wished she'd get to the point more directly!  

Having said that, I believe this was a timely read for me.  As a pragmatist, I often am quick to critique situations, and find a more charitable, optimistic perspective hard to maintain.  Voskamp has caught my attention enough to prompt me to exercise more thanksgiving in my life, so since the season of Lent begins today, one of my Lenten disciplines this year will be to start my own list.  Maybe I'll keep it going after Easter; maybe not.  But I'm hoping the posture of gratitude will be more firmly established in my attitude come March 31st.  And I'll be back to read it again sometime, when I can more deeply savour the style along with the message.