One Thousand Gifts {chapter two}

Chapter Two: a word to live... and die by.

What is this word? --- Eucharisteo

Charis - Grace
Eucharisteo - Thanksgiving
Chara - Joy.
- p.33

Favorite Quotes:

• Isn't it here? The wonder? Why do I spend so much of my living hours struggling to see it? Do we truly stumble so blind that we must be affronted with blinding magnificence for our blurry soul-sight to recognize grander? The very same surging magnificence that cascades over out every day here. Who has time or eyes to notice? - page 31
• Without exception... all try their hardest to reach the same goal, that is, joy. - Augustine. page 32
• The only real fall of man is his non-eucharistic life in a non-eucharistic world. - page 35
• Our very saving is associated with our gratitude. - page 39

Insights:

This chapter. Although I read it in a sleepy stupor, it brought meaning, focus, and inspiration. Eucharisteo. So much meaning in that one Greek word. It encompasses grace, thanksgiving, joy, gratitude. By giving thanks and gratitude for our gifts and our lives, we are showing our faith. We are living grace. We are accepting salvation. Like in Luke 17:17-19. The one man out of nine others that were cleansed, came back to give thanks and Jesus tells him "your faith has made you well." Although the others have been cleansed, this one thankful man has been cleansed and made well, meaning made whole, or saved. In this story Jesus is telling us that gratitude equals salvation.

Oh how I want to be grateful for things. For everything. Rarely to I express my gratitude to God for my gifts. That is why this challenge to create a list of 1000 gifts is so important. I have so many things to be thankful for, I just need to express that thankfulness.

Click here to view my ever growing list of gratitude. 

Click here to link up with the online book club.