Writing With Palms Open Wide

At the beginning of the year I read the One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Like many other Christians around the world, I started my own gratitude journal. I had good intentions, but I was woefully inconsistent with it.

For November and Thanksgiving, I have reopened my journal and my eyes to the world of Mrs. Voskamp. Her testimony is a lesson for all women, shining Jesus through her humble life on her Ontario farm. She allows readers small glimpses of her journey as she writes several times a week through her blog and for other Christian websites.

If you have not read the book, it's time you pick it up. Chew and savor it thoroughly--and allow God's blessings to unfold in your own life. The eloquent prose requires patient reading. You will be blessed for it.

The book has been so popular that many women's Bible study groups are using it. Zondervan recently announced the publication of a new DVD and Bible study guide to go along with the book, and yesterday her website announced the release of a journal on November 20.

As a Christian and aspiring writer, Ann's own life resonates with me. Ann gave an interview to students at Patrick Henry College in September 2011. It's just under one hour in length, and it gives us beautiful insights into Ann's writing process and how she weaves her faith throughout.

As I also pick up my neglected novel that I began two years ago for NaNoWriMo, I approach the next page, a broken sinner whom God pieces together with a carefully-crafted story. I look for His signatures lightly etched on the screen. On days when I feel my prose is dull, I will still write, praying the Lord will find a way to shine through the work. With perseverance, I will continue my gratitude journal, giving the Lord thanks, even during the storms life will inevitably bring. With palms open wide to the heavens, I pray the Lord allows His glory to shine through my pen and on the screen.

If you have never visited Ann's website (just updated yesterday), head over there now and be encouraged.



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