Eucharisteo

I started reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp today.  I was inspired from a really creative gratitude journal that my sister-in-law, Patty, recently gave me that was based on that book and on Voskamp's blog.  I'm only on the third chapter, but I'm already finding myself challenged to the core.  She sites many examples through the Bible where Jesus gives thanks, and then a miracle occurs.  The situations aren't ones that normally elicit a heart of thanksgiving and gratitude...one was the death of his friend, Lazarus.  One was before the feeding of the multitudes where thousands of hungry people are waiting and there is definitely not enough food to go around.  One was at the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples before he went to the cross.

In all of these scenarios, Voskamp points out that the miracle is always preceded by thanksgiving.  Jesus gives thanks and then the fishes and loaves are multiplied with baskets of leftovers to spare.  Jesus gives thanks and Lazarus is raised from the dead.  Jesus gives thanks, endures an agonizing death on the cross, and then rises again on the third day.

The original word for 'he gave thanks' when referring to Jesus at the last supper with the disciples was 'eucharisteo.'   Charis, or grace, is the root word of eucharisteo.  Chara, or joy, is also part of it's meaning.  Living an abundant life that is full of joy is dependent upon a heart that overflows with thanksgiving.  Without thanksgiving, there is no true joy.  I wrote yesterday how I longed to see this year be full of more joy and laughter.  That will be a fruit of my life when I choose to walk out a life of sincere thanksgiving to God.