I have been reading this book called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. God has shown me so much through this book. The truths God showed me in this book are what helped me get through this past semester. The book walks the reader threw Ann's life as she learns to see God in EVERYTHING. She begins by making a list of all the things she is thankful for. But this is not just a list of the typical things we always thank God for on the surface (good health, or family or friends). Not that these are not amazing blessings, but she takes it one step deeper and sees the beauty that God lays before her in every day that she missed before. To see this beauty she has to slow down and take in every moment. The sound of children laughing, smell of flowers, sight of a bird are things that God uses to draw her into Himself.
Coming into this past semester with so much on my plate, I knew I was going to have to slow my mind down and look for God in the little things. Otherwise I will be running from thing to thing not really serving God in any of it. When I looked for God He showed up. He captured my heart in ways I can scare explain.
In the book, she faces challenges such as seeing what to be thankful for in suffering and pain. She begins to see how giving thanks for the suffering transforms it into something beautiful. Then she talks about how Jesus gives thanks and it transforms things.
"Because eucharisteo (thanksgiving) is how Jesus, at the Last Supper, showed us to transfigure all things-- take the pain that is given, give thanks for it, and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness. I have glimpsed it: This, is hard eucharisteo. The hard discipline to lean into the ugly and whisper thanks to transfigure it into beauty. The hard discipline to give thanks for all things at all times because HE is all good."
The lessons God has taught me in this book are powerful and I will use them in the future as He challenges me.
You can check out her blog here. Or buy her book here.
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