Thanksgiving

Eucharisteo means to give thanks. I give thanks in all things because of what the Lord has done for me. For you. For my family. For all.

One of my favorite books is “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. This book propelled my heart into giving thanks in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

How do you thank God for the tragedies, the accidents, the loss, the abuse, the daily struggle? It is hard, however it is not impossible. Nothing is impossible in Christ Jesus. That is the key.

I think of living life in a posture of praise; a posture of Thanksgiving. Throwing out the negatives for positives. Have you ever noticed the difference, if you are focused on the good versus when you focus negatively? It’s literally like two different people. The optimist versus the pessimist. Grace instead of condemnation. Peace instead of chaos. Gratitude with appreciation, not anger and resentment.

Example: I could rant about the unfairness of my insurance claim, say terrible things about the guy that was speeding with his family in the car, and be resentful, I still owe money on that car that was totaled. But will I gain an extra day in life, will it change the fact that it happened, will it make my life better to complain about it? Absolutely, not. That would just ruin my day and the people around me.

I try in this situation, just like so many others in my life to posture my life in humility and gratitude. God protected me from serious harm, I got a new car which I was wanting, God provides my income He will make a way even if I cannot see it. The man and his family were not seriously injured, and they got a new car too.

“..the secret to joy is to keep seeking God where we doubt He is.” Ann Voskamp

If you are struggling with the negative nancy complex, take a moment. Pray for God to turn the frown upside down. Forgiveness is easy in light of what Jesus has done for you. One undeserving soul to another.

“I want to see beauty. In the ugly, in the sink, in the suffering, in the daily, in all the days before I die, the moments before I sleep.” Ann Voskamp

Eucharisteo-Give Thanks.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, start by counting your blessings: Bend your knee, bow your head, lift your hands, shout hallelujah, and give thanks with a grateful heart.

“Humbly let go. Let go of trying to do, let go of trying to control, let go of my own way, let go of my own fears. Let God blow His wind, His trials, oxygen for joy’s fire. Leave the hand open and be. Be at peace. Bend the knee and be small and let God give what God chooses to give because He only gives love and whisper a surprised thanks. This is the fuel for joy’s flame. Fullness of joy is discovered only in the emptying of will. And I can empty. I can empty because counting His graces has awakened me to how He cherishes me, holds me, passionately values me. I can empty because I am full of His love. I can trust.” Ann Voskamp

Today I just want to tell you I’m thankful for you. I am grateful for every trial, for every pain, for anguish and grief and loss and struggle. Because I have found Jesus rescuing me, sitting with me, holding me, training me up, giving me grace and mercy, teaching me His truth and His way and it brings me incredible joy to see God’s light illuminating redemption song in the pages of my story. May you find this too.

Dear Heavenly Father, we bow before you and we just praise you and thank you for everything in our lives, even the things we do not understand, in our struggle and our pain. We ask you to sit with us. We ask that you guide us. We ask that you show us the truth. We ask that you shine your light and illuminate Redemption, even in the hard spaces and places. We love you, lord, and we thank you, and we praise you. In your precious son Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stay Beautiful