Eucharisteo

"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 gift and gave thanks. Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning “joy.” Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy." ~ Ann Voskamp

Choosing to give thanks for the graces...

- community where life is shared - the good, the not-so-good and the ugly.
- holy ground moments where grace and incarnation collide.
- cozy wool blankets on cool nights.
- reset buttons.
- cups of coffee that warm hands and fill awkward moments.
- fall walks.
- opportunities to enter into people's stories and have others enter mine. It is an honour. 
- shopping dates that include wandering the aisles of Target for no reason other than to be in good company with a friend.
- reminders of being Beloved.
- hugs.
- lyrics and melody that become prayer when words fail.
- new life.
- technology that close the gap between friends who are far away seem slightly less far.
- the comfort that accompanies pumpkin loaf baking in the oven.
- daytime coffee dates.

Clearly, I have much to give thanks for.