1,000 Blessings. . .

Have you ever woken up and said to yourself that getting out of bed isn't worth it?

I have.

Life is too messy. I am too much of a failure. Nothing good will come of it. Tiredness, bitterness, and fear can pulse through my veins, impacting my thoughts of every day life.

But that's where I miss it: I'm living. I can swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand on two strong feet. I can savor the taste of breakfast, no matter how rushed it may be. I can take deep breaths of the morning air as I take early morning walks. I can utilize my mind and intellect as I push through school during the day. I am a living, moving creature created by a loving, wonderful God!

"I get to. I get to live."

We have a decision to make. Do we live life to the fullest extent, fully alive and thankful? Or do we live in empty nothingness, simply forcing ourselves to wake up each morning?

I choose to live fully. And in order to do this, I need joy. Joy in my Lord. 

"Deep chara joy is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo - the table of thanksgiving. I sit there long... wondering... is it that simple?"

Is the extent of my chara joy found in the extent of my eucharisteo thanks?

The word "eucharisteo" is used 38 times in the New Testament:

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks [EUCHARISTEO], and broke them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. - Matthew 15:36

On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks [EUCHARISTEO] to God for it... - 1 Corinthians 11:23

Both of the examples just listed are times when Jesus gave thanks, with grace and joy, in the midst of seemingly difficult times... I mean, who gives thanks for food that is not sufficient for the crowds before it is multiplied!? Who gives thanks for the fact that they are about to die for the sins of the world!? Jesus is setting an example for us. 

Maybe, getting out of bed wouldn't be so hard if we would take the time to give thanks for the little things in life...?

In One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp, she challenges her readers to do this very thing in quite a practical way: record 1,000 things you are thankful for.

They don't have to be verbose or eloquent. 

They don't have to be large -- in fact, it's better if they're the everyday, little blessings that we run into along the way.

I just need to pause. . . stop with the running around! Take time to see the little blessings God has placed in your life. Write them down. And when I'm having a bad day, they really put things in perspective. 

All of this results in chara joy, rooted in eucharisteo thanks. 

So here I go. These will be the bulk the posts on this blog... I'll be documenting stories, struggles and victories as I chronicle 1,000 things that the Lord has blessed me with. I encourage you to join me! I think everyone could use a little more thanks and joy in their life. . .

1. hugs from little people....

2. tumbles in the snow...

3. phone conversations with old friends...

4. cold weather that bites your nose...