You can’t be a Christian mom blogger or anyone who is familiar with any Christian mom bloggers online, and not know of Ann Voskamp. Or maybe you aren’t familiar with her online, but you’ve certainly heard someone sing praises — or maybe express reservations — about her book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.
I was sent an email last week asking if I wanted to do a last minute Mother’s Day review and/or giveaway of the book, and I knew I wanted to. I bought the book on my Kindle a while ago, but had never gotten around to reading it, so I decided that I’d try to get through some of it, so I could do some sort of review as well.
Well.
I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. I am halfway through it and loving it. I love her poetic style of writing most of all and a close second to that is her total honesty with herself and her God. She’s had reasons to doubt His goodness, she knows people who have reasons to doubt His goodness, and yet she clings to Him and even seeks to know and understand Him more fully. For her, that fullness means digging deep and exploring any areas where she might not be fully committed or fully trusting of God and His plan.
This brings mixed feelings to someone like me, someone who does not doubt and just accepts things at face value. I understand that I have the gift of faith. I easily can look to God’s sovereignty and trust that He will use my circumstances for my ultimate good, even if — and honestly, especially when — there is pain and/or suffering involved. But that seems so pat and easy. Does that mean I’m not as deep as others who want to really understand, to really prove, and really be sure that they are embracing everything at their core? I sometimes wish I had the faith to doubt or question or explore, and so reading the honest sojourn of another believer helps me see that or experience it in a second-hand way.
As soon as I started reading it, I wanted to buy a copy for a friend of mine. She’s a big reader, so I didn’t buy the book, but printed out a pretty picture of it and said, “I want to give this to you for your birthday if you don’t already have it.” She did have it, but like me, hadn’t read it yet, so I told her I had another book in mind and encouraged her to read her copy.
So, with Mother’s Day around the corner, you may think of those who have helped you to be the kind of mother you are. Perhaps it’s a good friend or your own mother or other relative. Giving someone a book like this — a book by a mother and with the joys and pains of motherhood at the very root of the story — will be a way to help her go deeper in her own mothering experience, or to thank her for what she’s meant to you. Or during this special month, you can choose to give it to yourself.
This giveaway of One Thousand Gifts is open to U.S. and Canadian residents. Please leave a comment telling me what you liked about the book if you have read it, and who you would want to gift a copy to. If you haven’t read it, tell me you’d like to! The winner will be announced on May 22. The giveaway is closed.
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I read this book over a year ago and loved it! The writing style is so unusual and lovely. I would probably have to re-read it myself before passing it on to my mother. 🙂
I just, today, finished the giftbook version of this (it just had some excerpts from the book), and it brought me to tears many times. Mainly in thought of a friend who desperately needs to read it, so I am passing it on to her. But how much better would it be for her to have the whole book!
I count this as one of a few books besides the Bible that has transformed my understanding and brought me in closer fellowship with Him. I read this right after I had committed to stop posting negative things on FB (my mantra-if you can’t say something nice don’t put it on FB), and instead posting gratitude. To then read that the act of expressing gratitude is actually a way that we can have fellowship with God was so encouraging!
I read the book on my Nook, but would love to have a “hard copy” because it is a book that I would like to write in.
It’s definitely deep and took me a long time to get through, but so worth it.
I would love to read this book because I could use a reboot as a new branch of mothering starts for me. I would share it with my neices that have just become new mothers.
this wonderful book would be a gift for a old friend who deserves and appreciates this type of beauty. I have not read this book.
I would love to read this book! This is my first time hearing about it!
This book has been on my list forever, and I am definitely looking forward to reading it! Your review makes me even more excited to read it!
I would love to read this and share it with my mom and sisters!
I’ve heard wonderful things about this book, I’d love to read it!
I would love to win a copy of this. Sounds incredible. I’d share it with my sister who, through various life changing events in the past couple of years, is stronger than ever in her faith.
No need to enter me in the give away; I have two hard copies of this book!
I read this book just a few weeks before the sudden unexpected death of my husband. Having it’s themes so fresh in my mind and heart at that hard time made a huge difference in how I responded to the circumstance I found myself in. I will always be grateful to Ann for sharing her journey and offering a tangible way to approach life with a heart of thanks.
I have heard so many great things about this book. I would love to have this!
Would love to read this book!
Have not read this book but have been wanting to!
I would like to read it and then give to my sister or MIL.
I’ve heard so much about this book. Would love to finally read it for myself and share it with my mother. THANK YOU!
You won Tarissa! Please reply to this email notification with your shipping address.
I sent you my shipping address. Very thankful to win such a great book!
It’s been a month since I won a copy of “One Thousand Gifts”. Should I be worried??
Oops! I hit the submit button before finishing. I meant to also say that I had not received the book yet (and that is why I am asking about it).
Have a blessed day!