Word Origin: eujcaristevw
Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech: yoo-khar-is-teh'-o
Verb
Definition: to be grateful, feel thankful, give thanks
Eucharisteo: Grace. Thanksgiving. Joy.
~ Ann Voskamp, author of “One Thousand Gifts" says;
“The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning “grace.” Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be a gift and gave thanks.
But there is more…Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word chara, meaning “joy”…I whisper [eucharisteo] out loud, let the tongue feel these sounds, the ear hear their truth. Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo.
Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy. A triplet of stars, a constellation in the black. A threefold cord that might hold a life? Offer a way up into the fullest life?
Grace, thanksgiving, joy. Eucharisteo. A Greek word…that might make meaning of everything?”
You simply cannot receive with a clenched fist. You must first GIVE in order to release the grasp; pry open the fingers and be open-palmed ready to receive.
~ I give thanks for being unworthy, so He may bless me with His grace.
~ I give thanks for life 'coming at me hard' the last 6 months, for in my weakness I received strength.
~ I give thanks for needing the support of my family and friends, for in asking I received in abundance.
~ I give thanks for the silence, for in that space I listen for His whisper.
Ann decided the best way for her to fully embrace the principles of eucharisteo was to begin writing a list of 1000 things she was grateful for;
“…windmills lazying in twilight’s last breeze…. soft wool sweaters with turtle neck collars…. the faint smell of cattle and straw….”
Oh how I wish I could write like Ann. But since I do not, I will give thanks for her talent and offer up plan B for illustrating my own 1000 gifts.
I have mentioned before my personal angst with lists; so I decided, like many others have, to document my personal eucharisteos in the form of photos. Are you surprised? I have a nice little Flickr badge on the sidebar of the main blog page which will show the last 5 photos uploaded. As of today, I am officially at 50 . . . . giving thanks for every one on my way to 1000.
