I have been reading Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts. We were asked to read it for small group book study at church. I have become intrigued by her message of expressing gratitude for even the smallest of daily gifts. She challenged herself to record her daily gifts — 1,000 total — over a course of a year. Intertwined with scripture, Ann shares that the gifts need to be small…like spreading jam on a hot piece of toast, or the greeting of a red bird sitting on the fence. That to focus on the smallest of gifts makes us slow down and appreciate all of God’s gifts — even the painful ones. She encourages us to consider the list as a “love letter” to God.
Ann’s website A Holy Experience is a beautiful free resource for inspiration. She even has a section of down loadable artwork, bookmarks and lots of ideas of how to journal your gifts.
My boss gave me the prettiest journal with a note that said, “A new year is like a blank book. I hope you write an amazing story this year.”
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.
