An Emptier, Fuller Life // One Thousand Gifts // Chapter One Reflections


{ Q's } 
 How do we continue to live full lives even in the pain and confusion? 
What promises of God have truly satisfied your soul? 
Is it his peace, joy, comfort? 

How can I live an emptier, fuller life? 


{ A's }
I have lived through so many painful and confusing moments over the last twenty-three years. Honestly, I'm not so sure I could list them all for you here, nor would I want to. But I do know that the one thing that has constantly held me together in the midst of losing loved ones, losing friendships, being hurt by church family and being faced with many other of life's greatest challenges is God. Even when I feel like I don't want to deal with facing life or death or loss or work or anything else God is still there. Yes, I know it sounds like I just gave the right answer to the Sunday School Pop Quiz waving around the instantly winning "God flag," but it's true. 

I've realized over the last couple of years that when I have an emptier life, a life that is devoid of being stuck in the trenches of worry and doubt, or self reliance, that my life becomes fuller and filled with Him. It's those days when I count my blessings and thank Him for where I am at that I find myself feeling satisfied and peaceful.


Speaking of being peaceful...God has promised me that He would bring me peace and hope and joy, and I cling to that every single day. That is what keeps me getting up and out of bed in the morning. For I know that when I trust in Him He will become my Peace-Bringer, my Joy-Bringer and my Hope-Bringer. Those promises and His unfailing love and grace are how I face each new day emptier, ready to be filled by Him, no matter what it holds or brings.


Fave Quote from Chapter One:
"With memories of gravestones, of combing fingers through tangled hair, I wonder too...if the rent in the canvas of our life backdrop, the losses that puncture our world, our own emptiness, might actually become places to see. To see through God." { pg. 22}



 I'm reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp for the next 11 weeks alongside Annie & Margaret. Would you like to join The Book Club too?

9 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed your thoughts on this first chapter. I agree whole-heartedly that it's in the times when we empty ourselves and rely completely on God, His goodness, His grace, His provision for us that we are truly full. But how often I forget that and try to do it on my own! Looking forward to read along with you for the next 11 weeks :)

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    1. Yes, I'm looking forward to reading along with you too, Jessi! :)

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  2. that's a beautiful quote you chose from the first chapter! i'm glad you're joining in with us and excited to hear your thoughts about the rest of the book!

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    1. Yes, I loved reading what everyone else posted on their blogs. It's neat to see how the first chapter spoke to all of us in different and yet similar ways.

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  3. I love this book. I have read it several times, and I need to pull it out again and reread. I love adding to my gifts list daily! Love you and miss you!!!

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    1. Sweet. I didn't know that you were counting gifts too!? If I counted you on my gifts list you'd take up all the numbers, up until 1,000 gifts at least! Yes, you're worth that much and I love you and miss you that much too!!!

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  4. I love how you put this about feeling empty in life but full of God. That has been so true for me too, but I've just never really thought about it. I look forward to following along with you over the next few weeks as we continue to read this book.

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  5. I enjoyed reading that book. I love counting blessings on my blog to keep me more "aware". =)

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  6. What beautiful and encouraging answers. Can't wait to see how God continues to teach us through this book :)

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