She elaborates on the word eucharisteo, which refers to the painstaking gratitude Christ displayed when at his last supper, he broke the bread and gave thanks, knowing in his bones that he would soon die a slow and painful death. This incredible book inspired me to put the Greek word on my wall as a reminder of how to live.
I've been thinking about stories old and new of people who have learned the art of eucharisteo, this life-filling gratitude. I think of Corrie Ten Boom engaging in eucharisteo over moldy bread in a Nazi concentration camp and how it led to reconciliation with Nazi prison guards. Every missionary book we have read over the years has told a story of struggle mingled with thanksgiving.
Gratitude rescues us.
In the past few weeks, I have been drawn into multiple stories of people in my own circle of life with heavy burdens, painful surprises, longsuffering...broken bones, broken spirits, car accidents, husbands struggling with lust, children struggling with the world, chronic illness, confusion about God, bankruptcy, long health recoveries, suicide, death.
So much grappling with pain and disappointment and dreams deferred. I pray for these precious souls. I wait and see if they will claw their way toward eucharisteo. It can be a long, bleeding fight out of the pit of despair to the communion table, but those who find their way are blessed beyond measure.
I have done it several times in my life. Given the hard thanks for the worst of things. I can attest to this:
The overpowering grace of God trumps the pain of the fall every time. It's what keeps me coming back to the table again and again.
"In this world you will have troubles, but I have overcome the world!" John 16:33
I'm currently reading "1000 Gifts" and loving her thought-provoking words. It's quite a challenge to give thanks for the hard stuff and to adopt an attitude of eucharisteo that governs how I live. But I like it!
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