Fields rolled by and I wondered which farm was her’s. I took photos just in case that was the one. It wasn’t. But we were getting close. Leah and I had been ministering at a women’s event in Ontario all weekend, and now we were on our way to visit my sweet friend, Ann Voskamp.
Leah, Ann, Me
I couldn’t wait to see Ann and meet her family – who were all as unique and wonderful as she describes on her blog. Two boys hid (and giggled) under the porch while we visited. The girls sat on the swing and listened. Flowers bent in the breeze behind the white picket fence.
And a zip line waited for us in the backyard. The kids told me all about it. How their dad created it and how much time it took. Voices echoed excitement. I asked if I could try it. Big smiles stretched across their faces. I don’t think they were expecting a city girl to go on the zip line. But this city girl is a farm girl at heart, and I love adventure!
I even talked their momma into trying it for the first time!!
Later we sat on the porch and talked, and we captured our conversation on video so we could share it with you. I shared earlier this week how we talked about naming things like our doubts and fears, as well as the beauty He brings that we easily miss. How naming them can bring clarity to our thinking and invite God into our everyday moments. Then we talked about framing the moments and messes so we can see God in them and worship Him there. Here is the rest of our conversation:
I have a few gifts to share… I brought home 3 signed copies of Ann’s New York Times Best-Seller, One Thousand Gifts. To enter to win, we’d love for you to be part of our conversation. Simply slip a note in the comments below this post by clicking “Share your thoughts.”
And, since we talked about overcoming self-doubts, I’ll tuck a copy of my book in with each of Ann’s for the three of you who win. Winners will be announced on Monday. To be notified, you can sign up for email updates in that little box at the top.
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Thanks for sharing! Trying always to see through Godly frames here.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece. I love the thought of “framing”each moment in our life so we can acknowledge and worship the Creator who created them for us. Such a blessing to have found both your blogs.
Blessings!!
Timely words for me today, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your deep hearts and your words and witness. I am a former Latin teacher, so I am well aware of the nuances of the language of eucharisteo, but Ann’s imagistic narrative added a dimension of the meaning to my faith in a very immediate and visceral way. The Greek word for “fool” is nepos, the negative before epos which means story. (we get epic from this root.). In the Classical world, a fool was someone who did not yet know the Story. You have reminded me of the importance of the Story, and that I am in it. Many warm thanks.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful conversation. My life is changing because of these truths.
All for His glory!!!!
thank you so much for these videos and for sharing your conversations with us – it was a huge blessing – i may have to watch them again and again because the truths buried inside are so powerful – thanks again
rebecca j
By God’s grace I am beginning to learn these truths you were sharing about. Thanks for being disciples to all of us who are searching for more of God! May he richly bless you with more of the only true treasure, Himself.
Learning to daily enjoy the little blessings! My four year old Eli just wanted me to “get that moth on the wall” for him. He loves to let insects crawl on him and watch them 🙂
God blesses us in so many ways. Let’s not miss Him!
I am continually learning to “frame moments” and to know in my heart how God sees us and puts things into perspective for us in the simple things, a smile from our children, the breeze blowing across the tips of grass, the beautiful colors of a rainbow that He painted just for us and we are part of that. My heart is troubled and yet I have comfort because I know that in the midst of chaos God is there. His perspective has touched my heart. I have been struggling with self doubt for as long as I can remember and…. still at 49 Satan creeps in and brings thouse doubts to mind. I am looking forward to the Bible Study in September “A Confident Heart”. You ladies are such a blessing in my life and I am so thankful that you both are sensitive to allowing God to speak through you to millions of women just like me. Yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so. Thank you and God bless you and your ministry!
I adored the conversation. But the actions of the zipline, joy spoke louder. Fear not. Find joy. Thanks for sharing the blessings!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem naming my doubts. I am full of them! The greatest revelation for me is that God still loves me in spite of my doubt. He longs for me to ask him to clarify and explain them, rather than stewing about them. I have Ann’s book and would love to give a copy to my sister. Thanks for an opportunity to pass along a blessing.
So thankful for the reminder that sometimes all I need is a paradigm shift. Blessed to listen in on your conversation!
I recently found “A Holy Experience” and have been encouraged deeply as a mother. Thanks!
What a beautiful analogy… to frame life’s moments… shift perspective. So true. I think this is a talent lost as we age in life. Often I’ve gone back to favorite places or views of childhood and wondered why I thought that particular thing SO BEAUTIFUL… until I stepped back into my childhood eyes… and there it was again.
Oh, how I loved this…your words are so inspiring!
~Julia
Thanks for sharing, and making yourself transparent to all of us!
Thank you for your words of Truth! I am in a time of transition. I’ve just finished homeschooling my quiver of sweet children after many years. I have also been helping care for aging parents and a beloved sister who I am losing to a horrible disease. There has been much sadness. I have been focusing on the sadness instead of the beauty in the difficulties. I have also been having much self-doubt. What now, Lord? I know God is in the midst of it all, but sometimes I have a hard time seeing the good. I love your and Ann’s words of encouragement. Especially ‘re-framing’-changing the focus or perspective of the picture. To be in the same situation and yet to see the beauty of God working right there. I have been reading Ann’s blog for a couple weeks and have been very blessed. This is the first time I have read your blog. I am excited to get to know you both better! God Bless you both!
Thank you both so much for these videos! Just this week God has shown me how I need to shift my focus because I have not lived a life of gratitude in regards to very important matters. What a difference that shift makes! The circumstances don’t necessarily change (although sometimes they do, which is wonderful!), but the change within is remarkable. Joy truly comes from framing life with a heart of gratitude. Thank you both again!
God used Mrs. Voskamps book to bring lightness and hope into a situation that I believed was completely lost. My life has meaning again and it is from seeing God in the moment and specifically naming each gift. I am so ever grateful for the gift of her book. I am excited to live and learn what it is God has for me.
Thank you both so very very much.
In God’s hope,
Tammy
I praise God for Ann’s blog/ministry and yours as well! My life has been changed by Ann’s book! I am hoping to share the book with as many people as possible. I look forward to following your blog and reading your book as well. Thanks so much for the blessing of your godly example and encouragement.
God bless you as you serve Him!
Linda