Ladders, Mirrors, and Eucharisteo

Today I begin climbing up the 50's ladder with my step on rung one.  Today I look in the mirror and see gray hairs trying to spring every which way, (should I color?) and wrinkles etching deeper and skin sagging (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 reached 1000. Well, I've passed that number and just entered the1600's.  Ann Voskamp says in her 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 years ago, 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 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 38 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?

I love that gray head!

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

Psalm 71:17
 

STILL COUNTING. . .
 

time with the Lord in front of the mirror

wrinkles

hot rice bags(for those achy muscles)

baby doll tops (to hide the tummy)

erase (for you guys, go ask your wife what this is)

night time renewing cream

day time face cream

creamy moisturizers

sticky notes, to remind me of all I would forget otherwise

renewed spirits

unquenchable joy

my gray haired husband loving me gray headed or highlighted;)

another birthday to celebrate and breathe

the many birthday wishes that have come my way

the gift of people in my life

the number 51…it really is a good and beautiful number

 

Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving me 51 years so far.

I just ask please, that you would help me to grow old gracefully, with much laughter. And when the pains kick in, help me to not be a pain. When the wrinkles become deeper, may it be a sign of many smiles from over the years. When the hair becomes grayer, help me to accept it or please let me keep my wonderful hairdresser who can keep doing her thing!

 Continue to lead me in the way you would have me go. When I begin to stoop, please lift me up and when others around me begin to droop, show me how to lift in one way or the other and when to stand out of your way.

May there be less of me and more of you.

 As the candles grow on my cake each year, I will rejoice as I blow them out and with that same breath, I will praise You.

I will praise You. . .no matter what.
 I am so grateful to You for giving me the gift of eternal life, giving me assurance that we will always be together. When my last breath comes and the candles go out forever, I will enter into the grandest party ever. Thank you for the invitation.

 One more thing. . .please bless all who came here to our little place. . .may their candles continue to grow in the years to come, may they recognize their blessings whether on the mountain top, or in the valley, the pit, on knees on the kitchen floor full of crumbs or laundry room full of laundry, in the car behind the annoying drivers, in the darkest of places and in the gloriousness of family and friends and light all around, whether microscopic or huge or in between, in the miraculous and in the ordinary.
 I ask your blessings on each and every one.

Thank you Father!

In Jesus Name,

Amen