a sanctuary of time

Week four, chapter four of Journey Reading:  Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts."

"I have lived the runner, panting ahead in worry, pounding back in regrets, terrified to live in the present, because here - time asks me to do the hardest of all:  just open wide and receive." (pg 69)

I found myself slowing while reading this chapter, breathing deep and yearning to start my own list. I have lots of lists and have even listed blessings and things to be thankful for. But specifically looking for gift, blessings, thanksgiving daily...that sounds like a list worth my time. Will you join me? Just one a day. Maybe we can share a couple here each week. Slowing time by fully living in it is my goal for this week.

So what did you think? Are you or have you ever been an "amateur", hurrying through life impatiently?

Does God live in the moments with us? I mean, do we not see Him, find Him, because we are too hurried?

Have you ever embraced your "not enoughness" and thank God anyway? What happened?

How would you "live slow"? How could you do that to meet the urgent need of life?

How long does it take for your soul to realize you life is full? What has been your experience with "over-filling" life or starving it?

"Life is a dessert--too brief to hurry." (pg 77)

first flight

Week three, chapter three of Journey Reading:  Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts."

I find myself stumbling over the flowery writing style, but feel like she is moving past the "appetizer" and into the "main course" of this book and concept. I have always loved naming things, my art, my projects, especially my children, but it never occurred to me that there was a link to God in the process of naming something. The idea that naming the blessings, gifts, moments to be thankful for during my day would also be a link to God is a neat concept that I will need to ponder a bit more.

"Rejecting joy to stand in solidarity with the suffering doesn't rescue the suffering. ...(those) who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy..." (pg 58) Do I wallow in the suffering and reject the joy that is possible? Do I believe joy is really possible at all? I think I need to come back and ponder this chapter some more....

What about you? How did this chapter sit with you?

What do you think about naming?

What about joy...do you reject joy for the sake of suffering?

How do you practice thanksgiving?


"...that life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change." (pg 61)

a word to live...and die by

Week two, chapter two of Journey Reading:  Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts."

This chapter really resonated with me. I desire to really live life, but also to be ready to die, to "inhale eternity" as Ann put it (pg 30). Living without regret, with joy. I am really pondering her thought that the depth of thanks is linked to height of joy (pg 33) and that thanksgiving always precedes the miracle (pg 35).

What are your thoughts? Do you ever feel these things? Dreading another day, anxiety of failing, afraid, weary, ruptured hopes?

Do you see ungratefulness as the sin in the garden of Eden? Is thanksgiving linked to salvation?

Are there things that must be done or seen to have fully lived? How would you describe a life fully lived?

I am excited to hear your thoughts! Post your comments, thoughts, insights, questions, etc... Please be thoughtful when responding to someone's post. Enjoy the journey!

an emptier, fuller life

Good morning! Welcome to week one, chapter one of Journey Reading:  Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts."

Ann dives right in, to what has shaped her and brought her to this place with God, to this search for grace and fullness in life. What stuck out at you? Any quotes for your facebook page or refrigerator?
 

Do you get where she is coming from?

Do you identify with the "holes" she describes in the canvas of your own life?

What do you think of the story of your life? Would you write it differently? Why or why not?


What about our sight? Our ability to see the goodness of God?

Would you choose, or do you choose the manna? Do you accept the mystery of God and eat it, so it can fill and fulfill you?

Let the discussion begin! Post your comments, thoughts, insights, questions, etc... Please be thoughtful when responding to someone's post. Enjoy the journey!