Thanksgiving: The Ultimate Eucharisteo

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NLT)

If you are a new reader to my blog, I'll back up a bit to explain Eucharisteo and why it is all over my entries, tweets, and Facebook posts.  

Last year, I saw God bless me in ways more than I could imagine. I also saw God tell me no in ways I didn't want to hear. God placed Ann Voskamp's 1000 Gifts in my life at the right time. I began to count the good gifts and tell God thank you. I began to count the hard times and the no's as gifts and tell God thank you. My heart began to change to live in the present. In fact, one of my words to focus on in my spiritual journey was Eucharisteo-Thanksgiving.

As we (hopefully) are celebrating thanksgiving to God today, I had to stop and reflect on the impact intentional thanksgiving has had on my life this year. I remember one day back in Feburary that was tough. It seemed like everything was not going well. I was ready to complain, to settle for negativity, but remembered to stop and give thanks to God for three things. When I did that, a few more flowed and I viewed the day with a better perspective. I remember the day The Nurse got married. I could have been filled with negativity and self pity. Instead, I was quietly counting gifts and being filled with joy. Thankful for her sweet letter to me. Thankful for how beautiful she looked. Thankful for how happy her and the bro-in-law are. I remember the day this summer I was so stressed out from tutoring and all I wanted was a Cherry Coke and I walked into Wal-Mart and there was a 20oz in the check-out cooler. Thankfulness. I think back to starting school again and feeling like I couldn't finish everything before meet the teacher day. God prompted me to ask my friends for help and they were there and together we finished it all.  So very thankful. I remember feeling alone and asking God to bless me with some solid friendships and I'm thankful because I've gotten closer to do life with some awesome women. I'm thankful my pastor's wife is getting more involved with human trafficking, a darkness that permeates OKC. I've been praying for some wise and Godly people to rise up and take a stand. I'm even thankfulful God told me no in my dating life. It just means that His good and perfect (for me, Mr. Right will not be perfect, as I'm not either) gift is up ahead.

All of this, is as Ecclesiastes says, is accepting a gift from God. I've enjoyed my life and I've become content. Have I done this through focusing on myself? Nope. It was done by returning the thanks of the gifts back to the gift giver, God. I love the way the last verse reads, "God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past. (Ecclesiastes 5:20 NLT)". It is so true. When I take my eyes off God, I can easily slide down into self pity or traveling down the what-if lane. But when I stay present, counting gifts, I am enjoying life. Most importantly, I have learned to have a greater reverence for the sovereignty of God, I am more in love with God, and I trust Him more. God wants to give us gifts, and all He asks in return is for a thankful heart. Amazing, isn't it?

I encourage you today to find three things you are thankful for not only over the past year, but also today. Then wake-up tomorrow morning, and carry Eucharisteo with you. Watch for things to be thankful to God and be amazed at how much He loves you! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Do you have a case of the Mondays?

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:6, 7 NIV)

I think today was supposed to be a day of the Mondays for me. But it wasn't. I woke up this morning and read the YouVersion verse of the day, 1 Corinthians 13:6-7. It reminded me of a Bible study I wrote a few years ago where I replaced the word love with God in order to see the characteristics of God clearly. When I did that, it read like this in my mind:

"God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:6, 7 NIV)"

While I was in the middle of praying during my morning commute, traffic came to a sudden standstill and I was involved in a minor fender bender on I-44. But God was there. He was definitely protecting me. I had just stopped with enough room that I didn't bump the car in front of me. The lady behind me just scraped little Nicole Nissan's left rear wheel. She couldn't have been more apologetic or sincere. She probably is a really nice person in everyday life. After we exchanged information, I had to merge from the shoulder back onto I-44, which I looked and saw was going to be impossible. I said a prayer and asked God to help me get on the highway, and suddenly there was a clear break in the traffic. I was able to make it to work and still teach all day. The students were great and rolled with me. They worked hard and we got to end the day on a fun note. I wasn't looking forward to sitting through a meeting after school, but it ended up being very interesting and dare I say, a tiny bit of fun?

God definitely protected me. He definitely chased after my heart and renewed my hope and trust in Him. It could have been a bad day, but instead, by keeping my eyes focused on Him, it's been a tough day of Eucharisteo.

Dear God, I thank you for this Monday. I thank you that you are always protecting me. Thank you for renewing my hope and my trust in you. Jesus, there is no one beside you, forever the hope in my heart.

Poor little Nicole's scrape!! :-(

Thank You

Teaching kindergarten is often like herding cats. I never really know what goes into their little sponge minds or what they miss because there was something really really shiny on the floor to look at.

The past three weeks in Bible we have learned about Jesus' life on earth with His teachings and miracles to show He is the Son of God. Last week I introduced the idea of grace to the class, explaining it as the teaching manual did: God's kindness when we deserve punishment. The class seemed to really snatch the idea and run with it. I thought the only reason they did was because we have a little girl with that name in our class.

Fast forward to yesterday. I had three friends that landed on a note home to the parents spot due to their behavior. They had turned their behavior around from earlier in the day, but still couldn't quite get it to move their clip all the way up on the top. I was going to write them a note, when the Holy Spirit prompted me to tell them that I was going to show them grace today. There would be no note home.they were genuinely happy. They said I was being kind even when I didn't need to. Then, without them seeing each other, all three came up individually and thanked me for the grace: "Miss L, thank you so much for the grace today," "Thank you for the grace. I'll try harder tomorrow." "Thanks for the grace."

I'm praying that the lesson of showing them grace is more impactful in shaping their heart for The Lord than any note I could have written yesterday. I pray that their thankfulness lays a foundation for them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

As for me, it impacted me greatly and reminded me that Eucharisteo truly is the gateway to grace and joy. And also to not be so skeptical if their little ears are listening and learning during Bible because apparently they are!

Saturday's List

This week's theme: Some of my Eucharisteo Gifts of 2013

1. Starting off the year by sleeping in until noon. (No, I didn't stay up late partying the night before.  I think 2012 was just that tiring!)
2. George, my little Italian Greyhound snuggling with me!
3. My new prayer journal for my future husband.  This is the second year I've been intentionally praying a verse over him weekly.  It has changed me for the better and I hope he is changed as well, even if I have to fill up ten of these journals before we meet! (I hope not...but who knows what God has planned.  :-) )
4. Thankful that I got to see a doctor and got on some new medicine to help out my stomach.
5. A free slice of cheese from the deli counter one day.
6. Catching re-runs of Reba's old sitcom on TV
7. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Clif Bars.  Those things are delicious!!!  
8. Unexpected chai tea lattes from parents on a cold day while doing carpool duty.
9. Reminders that God's delays produce a greater way for Him to show His power on display!
10. The day I was running late for work and ended up avoiding getting trapped in a really bad wreck.
11. Seeing a beautiful sunrise with the most vibrant colors- if only I could paint with that power and majesty!  I just love the creative heart of God.
12. Watching the Veggie Tales, "Josh and the Big Wall" with my class...it also includes my favorite silly song "The Song of the Cebu."
13. Getting seven hours of sleep on a weeknight.  (I actually could probably do it every night, I'm just not that disciplined in that area. But I'm working on it.)
14. The sunlight making a prism in the sky in the twilight hours.
15. Apparently the ability to run and be relieved of stress and pray is important because it is in my journal multiple times.
16. My friend, Miss K's daughter, C, seeing the YouVersion reminder pop up on her phone and saying, "Mom, the Bible texted you!"
17. My letters from my Compassion kiddos!  I love reading about their lives in the Philippines and Ecuador.
18. Having a student say, "School is better than Chuckie Cheese and McDonalds because school is about God."
19. Fun panda slippers in the mail from Miss A.  They are so cozy and I haven't taken them off!
20. Psalm 103: 2-5

Generosity..It Is Contagious..Pass It On!

Coolest thing happened at tutoring last night!  And I found it even more awesome since one of my words this year is eucharisteo...thanksgiving.  You see, I've found myself being more generous with myself, my time, and my resources as I am more thankful to God.  He constantly gives me blessing after blessing each day, and that makes me want to be more generous in return.  I want to be the blessing.  This 6th grade boy showed me that he could be the blessing too.

We had a new little guy last night.  He said he was 7 years old...and stayed at the tutoring center from 3:30 until we closed at 7:30.  That is a LONG time for a 7 year old.  LONG time.  The last  hour I worked with him and Mr. Generous.  Poor little guy was struggling, tired and worn out.  His attention and confident in himself was waning.  I tried to reward him with extra tokens so at the end he could go to the reward store and buy himself something nice for all of his hard work.  Little guy went over to the store with the help of Mr. Generous to pick something out, but he just didn't have enough tokens.  I was going to encourage little guy to get something small for all of his hard work for the day when Mr. Generous said he would buy him something out of his stack of tokens.  He said he had more than enough and he would like to do that for little guy.  Well, I couldn't say no to that act of generosity  the act of being a blessing to other in return, the act of eucharisteo in action.  I said that was a great idea.  So Mr. Generous bought little guy a light up top that made his face light up.  In fact, by the time we all left, everyone's faces were lit up with smiles!  And that random act of kindness will stay with me this week...I'll have my heart and eyes open to how I can be that generous with someone else...God is so good!

Soulful Sunday

Last September, I had the joy of seeing All Sons and Daughters with Kari Jobe when they were in Oklahoma City for a worship night. So, so good. I loved worshiping God to their music, especially this song. We are all made beautiful, even those broken places we try to hide. Thank you Jesus, I am a sinner, if its not one thing its another. Thank you that you love me and have made me beautiful.

Eucharisteo. What is it?

     Eucharisteo. This word came into my life last November through Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts. I had heard about her story and the challenge to make a list of daily thanks to God. I started a list last July, but it wasn't until I read Ann's book that a seed planted deeply to start to produce an attitude of gratitude.
     The Greek word eucharisteo means thanksgiving and encompasses grace and joy. A powerful word God demonstrates over and over in His word. We are to live in the present moment, live with the I AM now. We turn our eyes upward to The Lord instead of downward on ourselves. It allows us to see His daily grace for life and enables us in return to give grace to others. Ann challenges the reader to go on their own joy dare, searching for eucharisteo, searching for a deeper relationship with God. The question you may ask yourself: Does it work? Does collecting gifts, being aware of the here and now of God's goodness change your life for the better? As Ann says, "Does thanksgiving really proceed the miracle?" I'm here to say that I'm only one month in as an intentional gift collector, but I know my life is better. I know thanksgiving proceeds the miracle.
     It's an exciting time for my family right now. My younger sister, The Nurse, is getting married! She is over the moon happy! I'm excited that she has such a good person to spend her life with. Lately, we have bridal faired, dress shopped, planned, and talked about how to make her special day come together.  I was worried that through all of this, I would wallow in self-pity. You see, if things were going according to my plan, I would have been married for two years. Instead, I'm not married or even dating anyone. Ungrateful Amy would be bitter and filled with jealousy. Ungrateful Amy would have complained it wasn't fair her younger sister was getting married first.

     Instead, The Gift Searcher Amy, the one seeking God's goodness everyday, is  happy for The Nurse. Last weekend we found her dress, and let me tell you she looks so fabulous and grown-up! Not to mention radiating with joy! She is bursting with excitement! The Gift Searcher Amy can honestly rejoice with her! I am so thankful for her and her future husband. I can't wait to see all the wonderful things God has in store for them.

      In all this thanksgiving, the miracle has happened; I am no longer that jealous, panicked person whose life is not going to her plan. No, now I'm praising God for The Nurse's happiness and resting in the promise that I know that He has a plan for me and it does include an "Ephesians 3:20" man in His time, way, and place.
     If you are facing hard times, I encourage you to look upward, give thanks in the storm, and let The Lord change your heart and life. Thanksgiving does proceed the miracle.
     Here's the special couple! Look how adorable they are! Can't wait for June 29th! Love you so much sister!!

Three Words, Just Three Words

   Eucharisteo.  Trust.  Dependence.  These are the three words God has given me for this year of 2013.  These words are my focus, my vision, my guidelines to all that God wants to do within me.  Are these words easy?  No, in fact, if I would have my way, I would pick three different words to allow me to guide my vision this next year.  They are growing words, words that are filled with change, words that scream to me that my life will be different by the end of 2013.  Am I comfortable with that?  No.  I'll admit, I don't like change.  I don't like risk.  I don't like chance.  Call me guarded, hidden, a fortress.  Whatever you chose, I know that you are right.  I do have walls, I do have mistrust in my heart, I do have places I want to keep hidden and secret.  I want to depend on myself only because I have a suspicious eye towards others.  I have known the bitter taste of rejection.  I have known the part of you heart that when it gets hurt, it feels like skin has rubbed away and you walk around with a gaping wound.  I have known the disappointment.  I have known the spirit of envy and entitlement.  I have even known to be so stubborn I'll move a 200 pound TV alone, without any help.  

   But God, which are some of the most lovely words in His scriptures, has a different plan for me.  He wants me to turn to Him.  To give Him all of me, to let Him in all the places I try to hide.  He want me to unfurl my fists of disappointment and heartache and have open hands of thanksgiving and praise.  He wants me to trust in His promises, trust Him that He is a good and perfect gift to my wounded heart, and of course to trust that His ways are much better than mine.  He wants me to surrender my dreams and expectations to trust His dreams and expectations for my life.  He wants me to stop trying to rely on my own strength to battle through each day, and instead wake up ready to drawn upon His strength, so at the end of the day I can say, "I've accomplished today only by HIS GRACE."

   During the first 21 days of January, I felt called to fast from social media.  I knew God wanted me to speak to me about these words, speak to me about some promises, and just speak to me in general.  While I love social media and find it useful, I know that it had become a conglomeration of white noise that was supporting my walls.  I'll be honest, I expected that the more time I spend with God, the more God might speak words to be that didn't call for so much openness.  I expected Him to guide me in a particular direction and instead I found myself going in a completely different way, in His way.  The annoyance I felt at a change in my plans led to arguments and running from my daily quiet times.  But, as any wise person in the Lord will tell you, as soon as I ceded and waved the white flag, peace that passes understanding filled my heart.  

  These words, eucharisteo, which means thanksgiving, trust, and dependence are dangerous words.  They are calling for me to be ready for all that God wants to do with me in my life.  The dangerous words are asking me if I can be like Mary and say, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you say."  Even though I may appear to succeed in these three ways this year, I know it will be with only God's grace covering me.  So, in the call to be open with others, won't you please join this stubborn, selfish, suspicious princess as she is transformed into a grateful, trusting, dependent princess?