Birthdays, Mirrors, and Eucharisteo

Simply Saturday thoughts

Today is my birthday.  Today I begin the last year of my fourth decade.  Today I look in the mirror and see gray hairs trying to spring every which way, (should I color?) and wrinkles etching deeper and deeper (face lift?).  Someone tries to whisper in my ear – “You’re getting old, your knees creak, your back hurts all the time, your get up and go doesn’t get up as fast as it use to.”  This could discourage me, but it doesn’t.  I have been given joy and I know the secret to keeping it now. (actually, it was never a secret)…  Eucharisteo…thanksgiving.  You already know this?  Follow me…it goes deeper than where a lot of folks take it.

If you’re following my blog, you know I am keeping a journal,   

 recording the unwrapped treasures God has placed in my days, until I reach 1000. ( I have a feeling though, at the end of this, I will be starting a new journal starting with #1001).  Ann Voskamp says in her new book, one thousand gifts :

     Dare to live fully right where you are, opening the hand to receive the moments.

    Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.

   Naming offers the gift of recognition, the naming of moments is truly a holy work.

  When I give thanks for the seemingly microscopic, I make a place for God to grow within me. This makes me full, and I “magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30)

  Is eucharisteo (thanksgiving) opening the eyes wider, the heart deeper?  Is this paradox, that giving thanks for what is, creates an appetite for more, not for more things, but for seeking more of God to give more glory?  Looking is love.

I believe this journey began at the pond, but I did not know the word eucharisteo, to place my finger on.  The lesson was put in me though. God had shown me that I could see him in everything out at the pond and taught me things and reminded me of things through the water, rocks, hearts in trees, the animals, hidden things behind tall grasses, etc.  I came home and began writing, which has been such a blessing to me.  And now, I am keeping a journal, looking deeper and not having to search hard at all to see more of God, to give glory to Him more often.  This brings me joy! Yes, He helped me find the joy again.  My circumstances had not changed, but He brought me back.  The secret is in the thanksgiving, the giving honor to Him no matter what, in the big and in the small, in the happy and in the sad, in the scary and frustrating.  In all, I give Him glory and honor.  The enemy cannot hurt me. The joy cannot leave.  This is deepening my 36 year relationship with this Savior of mine even more. 

I look back in the mirror.  I smile.  I shun the hissing voice with a wave of my hand.

Proverbs 16:31 comes to mind…(a gift from God)…”Gray hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained by a righteous life.”  He continues to tell me that in my old age I am not to be despised, I should have honor and respect, wisdom, strength, youth renewed like the eagles, and will flourish in His courts.  WOW!

Ok…my belt buckle won’t buckle like it used to and my knees do buckle, but I have so much to look forward to.  I spray that ornery gray hair down, dab my lips, give a “thank you from the bottom of my heart”, and I’m outta there to find my journal.  Oh yes, just a thought. . .if we attain that crown of splendor by a righteous life, then my husband must be very righteous, what do you think? 

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Psalm 71:17
(EVERYTHING about this day is BEAUTIFUL!)

Time with the Lord in front of a mirror

My gray haired husband loving me gray headed or not

Wrinkles

Heating pad (for those achy muscles)

Baby doll tops (so you don’t have to wear a belt)

Erase (for you guys, go ask your wife what this is)
night time renewing cream

Renewed spirits

Unquenchable joy

Another birthday to celebrate and breathe

The number 49…it really is a good and beautiful number

linking with Jenn at

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