Been reading (and re-reading) One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.... a mesmerizing, heart-transforming treatise on gratitude. Eucharisteo. The act of grace, of giving thanks. Her story--- the journey to name 1000 gifts with gratitude.
It does change everything, you know. Giving thanks. Receiving the gifts. Unwrapping them by speaking them.
"The truly saved have eyes of faith, and lips of thanks," Ann says....
Am I truly saved?
"Eucharisteo makes the knees the vantage point of a life and I bend the body, it says it quiet: 'Thy will be done.' This is the way a body and a mouth say thank you: Thy will be done. This is the way the self dies, falls into the arms of love."
Ah, yes. That place where peace prevails, joy emerges from broken down souls.
"Thy will be done."
And I will be thankful. Here, where my vantage point needs an adjustment. Go lower. Be small.
"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 suprised thanks."
From this aching, yearning, deeply eye-opening vantage point of my knees......joy's fire is flaming bright.
With trials breathing gasping life back in, the fierceness of joy pounds hard.
And I am thankful. It's a war, and to win I must weild that fierce weapon of joy.
My weapon is being forged...its slow. But its glowing hotter and brighter. My parched lips are speaking thanks once again.
My count is as all counts are....one by one. But each one fans brighter the flame. Join me?
82. Blazing brightness reminding me that every winter does give way to spring.
83. Soul-aching piano chords--inviting soul-reflecting
84. Girls that miss me when I'm gone.
85. Italian tastes and flavors savored with precious family.
86. The reminder to believe. John 6:29. Do the work.
Hmm.....
Perspective? Righted.
Balance? Restored. :)
