It’s week 1 of our very first Book Club!! I’m so excited to have you join me, so grab your coffee and your book 🙂
This month we are reading “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. Ann is a farmer’s wife, mother of six, has a wildly popular blog, and wrote this beautiful book (along with a few others).
This week we are reading the first three chapters. I broke it down by chapter with just a few questions per chapter.
Chapter 1: An Emptier, Fuller Life
Ann describes all of us reliving the Garden of Eden story; that the first sin was the sin of ingratitude. Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not?
The author describes the forty years of wandering that the Israelites did and how God gave them manna to nourish them. Does it surprise you to know that manna means “what is it”? She makes a connection between manna and the things that happen in our lives that we may not understand. Can you relate to this idea of these things in our lives now becoming spiritual nourishment?
Chapter 2: A Word to Live…and Die By
A nightmare of having cancer begins Ann on the journey of desiring to fully live. Have you had a situation arise in your life that has been the catalyst for desiring to more fully live? How did it impact the way you began to live?
The author uses stories from Jesus’ life to illustrate eucharisteo (pg. 34-37). Each time Jesus gave thanks before a miracle. Is this striking to you? Does Jesus’ use of gratitude challenge your own view of gratitude to God?
Chapter 3: First Flight
On a dare from a friend, Ann begins her gratitude list. How is your own gratitude list going? What are some of the gifts on your list?
“This dare to write down one thousand gifts I love…is a dare to name all the ways that God loves me” (pg. 59) How can you accept this dare in your life? How does putting a name to what God gifts you help you to feel God’s love for you?
How has this first week gone for you? For next week, read the next three chapters and join me back here on Friday, January 15th. I hope you are enjoying the book and Ann’s beautiful imagery. Leave a comment below and let me know! Hope this first week of 2021 has gone well for you, friends!
So far I’m loving this book – at times I feel like I’m reading my own thoughts!? The author captures so much and has really got me thinking! Here are some thoughts on the first three chapters…
Chapter 1:
-I’ve never thought of ingratitude as being the first sin, but it totally makes sense…it’s connected to pride and thinking we know better than God.
-I think it’s funny that manna means “what is it” but it’s just another aspect of God’s provision, which is often mysterious. So much of the time He uses random things to spiritually nourish us and because they’re not “normal” or what we expect, we miss the miracle because we wonder “what is it?” or “what is going on?”
Chapter 2:
-I think one of the greatest catalysts for desiring to more fully live is actually admitting how empty life feels even though it seems “full” – what are we filling our lives with? Are we just keeping busy or looking productive to feel accomplished, meet other people’s expectations, etc.? For me, it’s wrestling with the truth I don’t like facing: I’m empty because I’m not really filling my life with Christ, not letting Him really take control. It’s about throwing off the superficial and allowing Him to truly change me, daily. It’s so foreign to us – this emptier, fuller life: emptying ourselves and being filled with Christ.
Chapter 3:
-Putting a name to what God gifts to me definitely helps me feel valued. It’s not about us, but when we realize we’re valued – by the Creator of the world nonetheless – it’s easier to be thankful.
Wow! I love your thoughts on these chapters! I think it’s so true that the catalyst is facing truth about ourselves we don’t like. Also, that we miss the mystery of what God is doing because we can’t allow it to remain unknown so we lose the wonder amd awe by trying to figure it out and make sense of it!