Eph. 5:20

I often visit Ann Voskamp's blog Holy Experience and have for a few years now. I find such godly counsel and encouragement from her posts. I  was recently given her book entitled One Thousand Gifts. My friend, Deb, knew I would love such a gift for my birthday. I have loved every bit of this book. I am challenged. I have been listing things for which I am thankful. I began this journey one year ago. I read through the past year and find more than 300, but I find I have missed the point and I finally get what Ann has been saying. Not just giving thanks for people or stuff or events, but giving thanks for everything in every moment. I realized yesterday, as I sat at McDonalds with my father-in-law, this giving thanks for eveything in every moment included the little old lady eating every last bite of her ice cream. I watched her savor every drop and I was thankful for that. Finding thankfulness and joy in the here and now is what I am just now learning. I look at Madi carefully tucking her brothers in for their daily nap and I watch differently than before. She spread their favorite blanket  carefully over them, placed a stuffed animal beside them and kissed them gently on the cheek. I almost missed it! I didn't. I see my children and think of how much I missed for which I could have been grateful. I am humbled as I see years of ungratefulness and complaining. I never gave thanks for gentle hands and kisses before naptime. I beg for mercy. Help me to practice eucharisteo.  I have read many times as I memorize the book of Ephesians: "And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20). I must do this. I commit to do this day in and day out, in the good times and the bad times, until it becomes a life-long habit. Not just making a list and writing down things for which I am thankful, but seeing God in everything, holding on to the moment, savoring the gift I have been given and offering thanksgiving to God.