About 4 chapters into Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts I started naming gifts. At first only in my head. It didn’t take long for me to get a small journal and start writing them. The concept of giving thanks for the small, normally overlooked things filled me with excitement. But…not wanting to go off on a tangent I told God, if this book is more than a creative prompt, more than gorgeous writing, more than a glimpse into a beautiful heart…it’s gonna have to pass the test of The Husband.
*****The book seems to be marketed to women and women are blowing up blog-land with stories about taking the gratitude-dare. But if it’s a Biblical principal men will see it…won’t they? So with fear and trepidation I asked The Husband if he’d read it and tell me what he thinks…
Give me two seconds to explain something about The Husband…you know how some men love literature, story and words? The Husband’s not one of them. He reads maybe 4 or 5 books a year. (last year’s list was Plan B, Crazy Love, Just Do It, Don’t Waste Your Life) All of those are books that challenge…make you think. He doesn’t read books for story or just because the writing is poetry. But what the man does read is the Bible. For awhile now, he’s read the Bible cover to cover (at least) two times a year, and because of that, I completely respect his view on Biblical principals.
*****
He finished the book last week. Early this morning we were talking over coffee, I had just published the post about the Alopecia diagnosis (HERE).
“Eucharisteo is helping me not to spiral” I told him, “there’s something monumental about naming the moments…naming the gifts.”
“It’s like Adam in Genesis naming the animals.” He said.
My brow wrinkled…”no, it’s not like that…I see Adam with a steno pad looking at a thousand year project. Overwhelmed and frustrated.”
He smiled. “Well, you would see it like that.” Then he opened the Bible in his lap to Genesis 2:19- “Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them”…
“I’ve wondered why it says: ‘God brought them to Adam to see what he would name them’, maybe after God created the animals he wanted to share them with Adam. Think of it, ” The Husband’s eyes were lighting up, “Adam had never seen an animal of any kind! He must have been overcome with awe seeing all those animals…overcome with God’s creation.”
I interrupt, feeling like I would burst because I’m thinking maybe he gets it…”And in naming them, Adam was thanking God for the wonder of that animal…the wonder of His creation.”
We laughed as we talked about how Adam must have felt seeing an elephant for the first time…or a zebra!
God created. God gave . Adam saw. Adam named…and since God ‘wanted to see what Adam would name them’, I assume naming the gifts blessed God.
“God keeps giving and we don’t stop to name the gifts because we hardly notice” I sighed.
The Husband, shaking his head seemed to be agreeing with me…“Like a spoiled kid on Christmas morning tearing through one present after another, and then finishing with ‘why didn’t I get… ”
I interrupt him again, “Why didn’t I get the big house? The new cars? The big salary?”
“If we don’t notice and name the small things, we’re nothing more than spoiled children” he finished.
*****
So, I just wanted to tell you… One Thousand Gifts has passed The Husband test and I’m still naming my gifts.
Happy Weekend my friends…xo
I love this! Just ordered the book earlier this week and started it last night. Can’t wait to read more.
I love your hubby’s insights. Thanks for sharing.
I love it that Mike’s insight is diffferent (so different) than what I got from the book. Just goes to show you how powerful it is! And I’m totally impressed that he’d read it. True Love~~
I love this post, I have heard of this and read the books your hubby did last year:) So it sounds like a keeper.
Thanks for sharing
Christine
greatoakcircle.com
Loved this post and the interchange between you and your hubs. Happy counting my friend!
I just gpt back alst night, am so glad to be home! Had a FAB trip though. I wish either one of us KNEW the bible. I HAVE to get this book!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXO, P
man, i want to sit in the kitchen with you and Mike… such amazing breakfast conversation. i LOVE the visual of the kid at Christmas… that is going to stick with me…
It passed this Husbands test too. I started a journal naming the gifts and I have become so giddy, excited to see what will be next on the line. My husband loves to see me this way. Can’t you just picture how God loves to see us this way too! 🙂
Thank you for sharing.
yay! love the connection between 1000 gifts and adam and God and naming the creation as an expression of thankfulness! that’s why the Word is alive and never the same twice.
Hi Robin. This is a beautiful and inspiring post. I think this is a great idea. Without gratitude for the small things how can we appreciate the BIG things? Thank you for your kind comment a Tangled Happy. I’m so happy you like it! I would love to link up at your next little linky Wednesday. I am also going to be following along here at All Things Heart and Home. Thank your for sharing this! 🙂
Good one, Robin. If The Husband read it … I guess I better.
loved your story! and Thank Mike for being the test case. I’m not much of a reader either so his input helps
Hope ya’ll are well
ka
Great Post! I wanted to let you know that last week I started a new linky party called Saturday Spotlight. I’d love for you to link up you amazing and creative projects! Come over and visit ~ http://www.sasinteriors.net
~Jenna, SAS Interiors
Wow, great conversation. What a blessing to have such a wise husband to discuss things with…iron sharpening iron. 😉
OK, OK, if Mike can do it I can do it. I will pick it up and read it too. Thanks for sharing the dialogue and the reminder that it is God who brings things to us and we still think it is something we do!! Crazy! Please tell the husband hello and thanks!
I am going to have to order it since it isn’t at our bookstore. Love that it brought a discussion between you two. I hope my husband will read it!
Megan
What a wonderful conversation between you and your husband! Love it! It is an amazing book that can bring forth conversations like this. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your & The Husband’s thoughts about the naming of the animals. A different view than what I had thought, but your post sounds so much more on mark than how I perceived it to be.
I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for your sharing & giving heart. Once again you have blessed my morning. I am thankful that I found your blog, it is a gift.
I love your husband’s insight too! Sounds like something my husband would say. We are so different, women see “pink” and men see “blue” and rather than get frustrated that he doesn’t see it the way I do (which somehow it feels right! wrong!) I love the different perspective and God is speaking to me through his wisdom and perceptions!
Oh God is so creative and good for making and naming us Man and Woman.
blessings,
Deb
I love this. So wonderful.
Too many things I like to expound on… so I’ll just say…
Thank you!
I’m here from Ann’s – and it’s Thursday – but I love reading the lists and there were over 300 of them. It took me this long to get to yours. And even though the list today is a list of one – it’s a perfect one. I know of few guarantees of a forever kind of marriage than a husband and wife who chit chat about the Bible – and learn from each other.
As one man to another – I say to your hubs – well done. Well Done.
I’m really glad I read you today. {smile}
God Bless and keep you and all of yours