My bff, Kat, texted me a few days ago letting me know that not only had Ann Voskamp commented on our One Thousand Gifts picture, but that we also were in the new slideshow on her posts at A Holy Experience and Bloom (in)courage. I was almost giddy when I saw that she had written on a picture I had loaded on Facebook. Still more so when I saw mine and Kat's faces drift by on the slideshow. And as I sit here still excited, I start to wonder...why?
Why did I get so excited that a woman, a mother like me who homeschools her children and loves her husband and worships her God, commented on a picture? Well, it's hard to get past the fact that it IS Ann Voskamp. Even before the book, her blog has blessed me so many times. I told her at Relevant '10 that I had stopped reading her blog because it brought me to tears each time I read it. Do you know what she did when I said that? She apologized. For making me cry. I'm telling you, this woman exudes grace.
But looking past that, what she is is a woman who simply listened to what God told her to do. From beginning her beautiful blog, to writing the book, she listened to His nudging. Is still listening as the popularity of her book grows. If I were to do the same thing, where would God take me?
No, I don't expect to write a best selling book. Nor do I expect to be a speaker at a blog conference. I don't expect to sing concerts the world over, either. But what joy and happiness would be mine if I just listened to Him...and did what He asked?
I have to admit that I let my life be guided by fear more often than I let it be guided by God. Fear of the future, fear of people not liking me, fear of people not liking my child, fear of not parenting my child well, fear of getting bitten by a brown recluse (yes, I'm serious...I'm deathly afraid of spiders).
Why do I live like that? I haven't read One Thousand Gifts completely...since I'm reading the Bible in 90 days, I haven't had time to read it the way I really want to, but I've read far enough into it to know that if I let go of my fear and grab hold of Eucharisteo...giving thanks in EVERYTHING...that my life will be changed.
I can't wait to read it. To sit with it and hear Ann's voice as I read the words. In case you haven't purchased it yet, you can get it by clicking the link above. It's on sale for $12.99. You can also get a "DayBrightener" and the book in a set...what a beautiful gift that would be!
Ann Voskamp - DayBrightener and Book Set - God in the Moment and One Thousand Gifts
If you just gave the DayBrightener and kept the book for yourself I wouldn't tell! Right now is a GREAT time to purchase the set...it's on sale for $16.98, normally $26.98.
While I do get a small percentage from any sale generated from clicking my Dayspring ads (like the one above as well as the ones on my sidebar), I was not compensated in the least to talk about Ann's book. I just can't wait to read it.
And I can't wait to read it after I've finished THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS THURSDAY!!! I'm just a little excited.
9 comments:
Oh...I am so with you, sister on the obeying God instead of giving in to my fear. Not sure where I read it (since I've been reading a lot lately) but I think it was Crazy Love by Francis Chan where he brought me up short by reminding me that my giving in to my fear & ignoring God is sin...it's disobedience. It's me exerting my will over His. THAT was a gut punch. So easy for me to gloss over, justify stuff...call a spade an diamond. I'm working on this book, too. She does write beautifully...and the best is, because of these books, they've pushed me back into the Bible again. I'd become quite the lazy child, not showing God my love at all. So selfish & willful... Ok. Now I stop because I'm writing a book but you get the idea. (and...I LOVE my new tassel!! :) )
That is so neat. I haven't read the book but have heard great things about it. I should put it on my ever growing list!!
I bought the "DayBrightener" just last week.
And I'm so proud of you. It seems like you just started reading the Bible yesterday, and tomorrow you will finish!!
You will LOVE this book. It is incredible!!!
This is too freaky....I sent you an email regards this very book earlier this week!!! Thankyou, how perfectly timed!! TK xx
thank you for this post. it's awesome. TK and I email often and are going to share the 1000 gifts book. how neat you got to meet the author.
What a great post!
It is easy to let fear keep us from what God wants for us.
Of course Anne would want to show ya'lls picture, you look wonderful, so happy.
I can't believe you've read the Bible in 90 days!! That is awesome!!
I haven't read her book yet either and I have it. It's on my to do list.
Blessings,
Cyndi
I'm still reading....but not as fast as you.;)
I will have to check this book out. Blessings to you and thanks for sharing them.
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