Thank[FULL]ness - A response to Ann VosKamp's "One Thousand Gifts"

There is something beautifully intentional about God's ordination of my reading this book in the middle of the Thanksgiving holiday. Not only was my mindset beginning to transform from the thought of continual thanksgiving, but everything around me became a constant reminder of how worthy the Father is of our constant praise.

The author, Ann VosKamp, takes the reader on her journey from questioning fear to trusting thankfulness. She likens remembrance to that of a bridge. Thankfulness is the looking back at the raging river, only to see the safe, sturdy bridge on which you crossed. It did not fall. Remembering the crossing builds up the trust that next time a river approaches, torrents bursting, white with foam, he will once again build a bridge that will allow safe crossing. Isaiah 43 says, "When you pass through the river, it will not overtake you"

But thankfulness is so much more than a trust builder, its an opportunity to see God. In the everyday, the mundane, the minuscule, we stop and we see his goodness. We see Him. Moses asked to see God and His goodness passed before him. As we were sitting around the Thanksgiving table, we shared what we were thankful for... family, friends, food... All eyes on me, I couldn't help but think about this idea churning in my head. I am thankful that God allows us to see him, to encounter him in the everyday, in the moments, in the good and the bad. He is there, waiting to be found by our thankful hearts and searching eyes.

A sunset painted sky 
The overgrown tree clinging through the sidewalk 
Children's laughter 

He is there. Our infinite, unfathomable God, humbles himself and wraps himself in gifts, which he delights to watch us unwrap. "It's the glory of God to hide a matter, and it's the glory of kings to search it out." Thankfulness begins the searching. It opens eyes to begin to find God in the moments, the gifts. He is a good Father who gives good gifts, himself