It has been seven years since the release of Ann Voskamp’s bestseller, One Thousand Gifts, an “invitation to celebrate grace and be transformed by the power of gratitude.”
In her new book, Grateful, Diana Butler Bass takes a deeper look at gratefulness, delving into the cultures and learned practices of gratitude. Weaving stories throughout, Bass draws from her own experiences, from being compelled to write thank-you notes as a young child to situations in her life that left her feeling anything but grateful.
Bass unpacks how gratefulness is closely connected to emotions, particularly feelings of kindness and love. She also points out components of personal habit and intentionality that can help us grow in gratefulness.
Beyond the personal, gratitude includes a communal factor. It comes to expression in community when we give thanks, celebrate, and feast together, affirming and encouraging our gratefulness.
Ending with the upside down blessings of the Beatitudes and the story of Zacchaeus, Bass wonders in what circumstances—and for whom—Jesus might pronounce those blessings today.
Recommended as a personal read or for a book club, staff, or study group. (HarperCollins)
About the Author
Jenny deGroot is a freelance media review and news writer for The Banner. She lives on Swallowfield Farm near Fort Langley B.C. with her husband, Dennis. Before retirement she worked as a teacher librarian and assistant principal.