One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

I love how God always meets our needs. I love how He makes all things work together in His timing. Last winter, spring, and the beginning of this summer I had been experiencing a deeper depression. When I feel depressed it is feelings of sadness and hopelessness. God works in many ways to help me through these times... medication, prayer, family, friends, and He often leads me to just the right book to read at the right time.

This time it was "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. "One Thousand Gifts" is Ann's story of discovering what it means to live fully. Her childhood was shattered by the accidental death of her younger sister, Aimee. Her family would spend years in the blackness of grief. Anne accepted Jesus as her Savior when she was sixteen, but she would continue to struggle with fear, stress, depression, anxiety attacks, and agoraphobia. Then a friend of her dared her to write down one thousand gifts that God gives her. Ways that He blesses her and shows He loves her. "Sometimes you don't know when you're taking the first step through a door until you're already through it" stated Ann. This listing of gifts started Ann on a journey. This journey took her to eucharisteo, giving thanks. Then to on to grace, God's favor for her. Then to a sanctuary of time, learning to live in the moment. And on the journey went on and still goes on.

There are books that are good to read and then there are important books to read. "One Thousand Gifts" is a must read for everyone who is wanting more out of their life. Her life, woven in a tapestry of words, will teach you, bless you, and dare I say change you. I know reading this book and listing my one thousand gifts has blessed me is already changing me!