WORD WEDNESDAY - Grace + Thanksgiving = JOY

This year - I have chosen the word JOY for my word.  Actually, I think the word JOY chose me!  As I was contemplating a "word for the year", I kept reading scriptures about joy; heard songs with the word joy; read joyful stories...



Yes, that was definitely the right word!


Now it is halfway through the year.  I didn't write every week; though I have attempted to keep up the writing.

It hasn't been easy!  I didn't think I had anything for this week...

But, while reading my devotions the last couple of

 mornings, from Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts Devotional", it occurred to me:

"There is so much joy in here!  Especially when she writes about 'Eucharisteo'."

So, here we go...

When I first saw that word - Eucharisteo - I thought, "WHAT?!"  I had heard "eucharist" in relation to communion; but this was more...

And I had to read more; to understand.

Simply put, Eucharisteo is a verb meaning "to be grateful, to feel thankful.  A gratitude that leads to joy and grace."

As Ann Voskamp puts it, Eucharisteo is:  "Grace + Thanksgiving = Joy"...

And I found this on Pinterest:  Eucharisteo is "a Greek word rooted in thanksgiving.  As we accept God's gift (grace), and give thanks for those gifts, we experience joy!"

So, I began to follow Ann's "1000 Gifts", finding God's gifts (or blessings) all around me.

GRACE

Sometimes I think back to things I've done in my life...not the good things; those "other" things that I am ashamed I did.  Those things that He forgives me of; yet, I can't even remember if I even confessed them.  Yes, I know He knows; just as I know He forgives, if we confess our sins.

And, that's why I "wonder" if I actually confessed to Him.  Yet, I also know there is His Grace.

We can also show grace...






THANKSGIVING

We are told to "give thanks" - in everything ..."Through It All!"  Give thanks!  No matter how good or bad or whatever...

I read the following words on Ann Voskamp's website, found here;  called "Mother Letters", it says:

And, a response to these words:  "And one day you'll look back, and you'll laugh at the embarrassing, see the purpose in the pain, and realize that it was all meant to be.  And that makes it good."

So, giving thanks to God for my life's experiences - "the good, the bad, the beautiful, the inspiring, the not-so-glamorous" - I know from giving thanks for His Grace...

There comes...

JOY

When we receive God's Grace, giving thanks in all things, we receive joy!

Ann Voskamp says, "Holy Joy...lies in the habit of murmuring thanks to God for the smallest of graces."

So, as I count the blessings God gives every day, I give Him thanks for all - the smallest to the greatest to the unknown!

And find joy...

Today I am sharing words from my "1000 Gifts" journal, where I have been writing my gifts (blessings) received from God;

And learning Eucharisteo: where Grace plus Thanksgiving brings us JOY!

And, joy...

That IS what Word Wednesday is all about!

May you find your joy!